When Mayor Patty Cohen received a raise more than a year ago — from $36,000 to $44,000 a year plus benefits — city administration claimed that she work full-time hours even though the job is often cited as a part-time position.

In fact, there’s nothing in city code designating the job as either full-time or part-time.

“The job is what you make of it,” said City Attorney Phil Bleyhl.

Now, two of the three candidates who want to replace her plan to work in the mayor’s office have other jobs. Councilman Paul Brewer has a full-time job and plans to be a part-time mayor. Former school board president Jim Slowik owns a business, which he will continue to run if he wins office, though he says he will work full-time as mayor.

In contrast, Councilwoman Sue Karahalios, a retired teacher, said being the mayor would be her only gig. But Karahalios isn’t making her extra availability into a big campaign issue, though she does say it would have its benefits.

“The mayor’s presence at a lot of things in the city is important,” she said, “including the ceremonial occasions. The mayor is the person you look for.”

Which brings up the question of what the major does anyway, and as importantly, what makes a good mayor.

Mayor Patty Cohen said voters shouldn’t choose a candidate based on how much time they can dedicate to the job. She said the new mayor can afford to “step back,” as she has, because the current city administrator and department heads are professional and reliable folks. Nevertheless, her description of what the position entails seems exhausting.

“You need energy, you need to be a risk-taker and you need to be daring,” she said. “You have to be OK with pushing yourself. Enthusiasm is the propeller for progress.”

Under state law, the mayor is the chief executive and administrator of the city who supervises all employees, including the city administrator and department heads of his or her choice. The mayor is responsible for making sure ordinances are enforced. The mayor oversees all meetings of the city council, but can only vote to break ties. He or she presents the preliminary budget and makes recommendations to council in other matters. The mayor is official and ceremonial head of the city.

Cohen said one of the most time consuming aspects of her job is meetings. In addition to regular council meetings and workshops, the mayor is automatically a member of a number of boards and committees, including I-COM, the county Board of Health, the Regional Transportation Planning Organization and the Council of Governments. There are also a number of city committees she regularly attends, such as the Windjammer and marina committees.

Cohen said the more-ceremonial parts of her job are also vital and enjoyable. That may mean attending a ceremony at the Navy base, cutting a ribbon at a new business, reading to children in a classroom or judging a car show.

Cohen said she also spends time talking with regular citizens who have concerns. “I think the Oak Harbor community wants to have a mayor who’s accessible and who’s a good listener,” she said.

When it comes to the time commitment of being mayor, neither Brewer nor Slowik feel they will have any problem juggling mayoral duties with their other jobs.

Slowik owns and operates a used car business in Oak Harbor. He has a simple solution to the problem of time commitment. He plans to hire a manager at his business and dedicate himself to being mayor, though he’ll still have a hand in running the business.

“The mayor may be classified as a part-time job, but it really is closer to full time,” he said.

Brewer is the solid waste manager for two Navy bases. He said he will be able to have a flexible work schedule if he wins. Pointing to former mayor Al Koetje — who also ran a business — Brewer said the position should go back to being part-time. Moreover, he claims Cohen has spent too much time “micro-managing” and he said he’ll be a different kind of mayor.

“I’m going to empower staff to do their jobs and then I’ll hold them accountable,” he said. “I will be there when I need to be.”

Cohen admits that she used to work full time — and then some — but that’s changed. The difference, she said, is City Administrator Paul Schmidt.

“The community is fortunate to have such a capable individual in that position,” she said. “He’s principled, unbiased and has a strong sense of integrity.”

After more than seven years in office, Cohen has a lot of advice to offer the next mayor. But so far, she said Slowik is the only candidate who’s talked to her about what the job is all about.

“I found it interesting that the other two candidates haven’t tried to get input from my perspective,” Cohen said.

But perhaps not surprising. Brewer has been a very vocal critic of Cohen over the years, while Karahalios hasn’t been shy about criticizing the mayor either. Cohen has also endorsed Slowik and donated to his campaign early on.

Cohen sees a good mayor as the city’s lead visionary with “a mile-high perspective” who excels at the art of persuasion, not a nuts-and-bolts bureaucrat. Cohen’s description of what makes a good mayor includes many slogans and heart-felt truisms. Again and again, she stresses that a mayor should be willing to take risks and “think outside the box.”

“It’s not a popularity contest,” she said. “Trying not to offend anyone and getting everyone to like you will lead down the road to mediocrity.”

It’s also a very rewarding job, which Cohen said she will miss greatly. She said every day with a gavel in her hand was a learning experience.

“Even during the most stressful times I have experienced in this position, there isn’t anything I would take back,” she said. “I have appreciated and enjoyed every moment.”