OTHELLO - A former Othello city council candidate requested a committee review two city official's contracts.

Othello Mayor Tim Wilson responded by requesting the members of Othello Citizens for Better Government submit their recommendations in writing.

Sean Bates, who ran for city council in 2011, asked the city to form citizen review committees to examine Finance Director Mike Bailey's and City Administrator Ehman Sheldon's contracts. Bates told the city council during a recent meeting he was representing a group called Othello Citizens for Better Government.

"We propose that before any new contracts are signed, or any contracts are renewed, for either of these contract employees, that a citizens review board have the opportunity to look over the contracts and make recommendations as to whether things are to the city's best benefit or not," Bates read from a statement.

He suggested the members for the review board be drawn from business people, and come from as wide a cross-section of people as possible.

"We propose specifically that these contracts be reviewed by business owners, who both own a business in Othello and also live within (the) city limits," he said. "We are proposing that the mayor appoints a chair person from the community who in turn selects the panel members along these guidelines."

Bates continued, saying the board should ask whether Bailey or Sheldon fit the city's needs. If they don't, they should create a criteria for selecting new people.

"After reviewing this last year's performance, we would request that this body assess whether an increase is warranted as well as any other proposed contract changes," he stated.

The group requested the board develop a performance review standard to measure how well Bailey and Sheldon perform, Bates said.

"We request that the terms of the contracts be posted for a minimum of four full weeks at the City of Othello website," he said.

Wilson's letter pointed out the city officials have term contracts. Sheldon explained his contract is indefinite and Bailey's contract ends this year because he requested it end.

"The City of Othello has numerous contracts, which are public records and can be inspected by the public," Wilson stated. "I would ask that the 'Othello Citizens for Better Government' present written recommendations to the mayor (or the) council with your suggestions of how to improve the contracts of any city employee position. Please, also identify what you consider (are) the future needs of Othello."

The mayor requested any recommendations include the names of the people participating in preparing the recommendations. It would be to allow the participants to be consulted if the mayor or the council wanted to pursue the recommendations.