An informal AGO Opinion issued 4/18/1992, signed by Assistant Attorney General Jean M. Wilkerson and addressed to Mary Y. Moore, states:
“There is a conflict between RCW 27.12.210 and provisions in Title 35A RCW. Under RCW 35A.21.160, Title 35A RCW prevails in the case of conflict… Either the mayor or the city manager has the ultimate authority to hire and fire the city library director… Regardless of the governance plan (charter, mayor-council, or council-manager), city ordinance or policy could allow the board of library trustees some role—even a substantial one—in hiring and firing the library director.”
The opinion is consistent with AGO 49-51 No. 274.