Members of the Colorado Springs City Council have an unenviable workload this week, as they will consider four proposed ballot measures that could lead to big changes in local governance. Proposals include:

• A measure to substantially increase pay for council members, who work for annual stipends of about $6,800.

The ballot question is proposed by Colorado Springs Independent Publisher John Weiss, who shares our concern that volunteer council seats are typically sought by a small fraction of residents who are in unique circumstances. Most who work for a living cannot commit to demanding voluntary service on the council, which often involves 40-plus hours of meetings and research each week.

While The Gazette’s editorial board supports the general concept of increasing the pool of council candidates, we will wait to see whether council members refer this measure to the ballot before expressing opposition or support. On this matter, the devil may be in the details.

• We say “no” to a well-intended but flawed measure to elect the city attorney.

If referred to the ballot and approved by voters, the measure would help eliminate a conflict — at least a perceived conflict — involving the City Council and the mayor’s office. Critics of the system say the city attorney cannot fairly represent the interests of the council, which often finds itself at odds with the executive branch, because the attorney works directly for the mayor. If forced to choose sides, critics say, the attorney will side with the boss.

While the concern has merit, this is not a good solution. The best person to serve as city attorney may be someone unskilled at running for office. City Attorney Chris Melcher, for example, is a graduate of Yale — the country’s No. 1 law school — and he comes with an ideal work history. Yet, he may have no interest in running a campaign. Meanwhile, an attorney with lower credentials and less experience may be superior at shaking hands and kissing babies. In general, we should elect policymakers and appoint the professionals who work for them. If there is a problem to solve regarding the city’s legal representation, let’s look at solutions other than this.

• We also oppose a measure to eliminate a requirement for the mayor’s signature on contracts involving Colorado Springs Utilities and other city enterprises. Eliminating mayoral approval of contracts would quash an important element of checks and balances that keeps contracts responsible and honest. Government contracts need more scrutiny, not less.

• We reiterate strong opposition to a measure that proposes an elected board of directors for Colorado Springs Utilities. This is the least sensible of the four measures up for consideration. Council members Scott Hente and Jan Martin proposed the measure last minute, and it would do nothing other than politicize a board of directors that should be composed of hand-selected professionals who are nominated by the mayor and confirmed by City Council.

Today, City Council governs our public utility by pretending to convene as a separate board. The system must change, but not in this manner.

We thank council members in advance for taking on these matters. City government must adjust to the needs of a fast-growing city with complicated dilemmas. Yet, proposals must be crafted carefully — and scrutinized thoroughly — before going to voters.