Milton will get a new mayor soon to replace Katrina Asay, who appears to have won a House position in the 30th Legislative District.
“I plan on resigning,” said Asay, Milton’s mayor since 2003.
Once she decides when she will step down, the Milton City Council will appoint a new mayor to serve until the municipal general election next November. The winner in that election will serve out the remainder of Asay’s term, which ends in January 2014.
The City Council could appoint one of its own members or anyone else who is a registered voter and permanent resident of Milton. The mayor’s job pays $1,500 a month.
Asay said Wednesday she expects to resign effective Dec. 31 but wants to wait to settle on a date that works best for the council. Asay said she expects the council to discuss the timeline Monday night.
By law, Asay doesn’t have to resign as mayor. She could work both as mayor and as a legislator, according to Paul Sullivan, legal consultant with Municipal Research & Services Center in Seattle.
But Asay cited the time demands of both jobs. And she said it could be a conflict of interest for her to serve in the Legislature deciding on matters that affect Milton while continuing as the city’s mayor. Milton is a city of 6,540 that straddles Pierce and King counties.
The 30th District – a swing district – includes the smaller, King County portion of Milton.
Asay, a Republican, was winning over Carol Gregory, a Democrat, in the race to fill the Federal Way-area seat left open by Rep. Skip Priest’s successful bid for Federal Way mayor. It was Asay’s first bid for the Legislature.
During the campaign, both candidates agreed that adding jobs is a critical issue in their district but took different approaches to the problem.
“Our message was one that resonated with the voters, talking about getting our budget under control (and) getting jobs back,” Asay said.
Steve Maynard: 253-597-8647 steve.maynard@thenewstribune.com
