A short history on city councils

Mukilteo faces a ballot measure in November on local self-government: administration by council or by mayor.

Council administration may be considered a modern form of governance, but historically, councils are the oldest form of government in America. In New England, these preceded the Pilgrims. Town councils, comprised of fishing communities and surrounding farms, administered settlement, infrastructure, and education, and assessed taxes for these.

Following the American Revolution, the Northwest Ordinance established towns, and councils, as the form of...