The petition sponsors have said much of the reason the cost estimate is so high is because of a $307,000 involuntary-termination severance amendment in city manager Gary Luebbers' contract, which could be paid if the city manager's role in government changed.

"We're more than irritated that the city manager can hold its city hostage," Sheen said.

Cutler defended the severance, calling it a standard benefit recommended by the International City/County Manage- ment Association.

"Managers are hired to be managers, CEOs of a corporation," he said. "The idea is, 'I'm a professional manager. If you're going to change the core of what I do, if I'm no longer going to be a manager, you've changed the terms and conditions in my job and I deserve a severance that will let me go get another job.' "

Cutler said the city plans to file its response soon.

The petition sponsors are calling for a change to a strong-mayor form of government because they want to see an elected official, with more accountability to city residents, at the city's helm.

City Councilman Mike Kellermeyer is the only council member to express agreement with the petitioners. In April, he asked the council to call for a special election on the issue, but his motion died for lack of a second. Mayor Bryan Holladay, who plans to run for re-election and would see his salary increase from $18,000 to about $95,000 under such a change, has also said he opposes it.

One of the petition's sponsors, Jeff Haaga, recently announced his plans to run against Holladay in November.

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E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com