City manager outlines plan for 10-year charter review and reexamination of council committees

City Manager Smith briefed the Hermiston City Council Monday on two governance items from the city’s recent goal-setting session: a 10-year charter review and a reexamination of the council’s committees, boards and advisory-group structure.Smith recommended a timeline that would allow council-proposed charter amendments to reach the ballot in the November 2025 election, if the council chooses to pursue changes. He outlined a process of two to three public work sessions, followed by public open houses or town halls and an online survey to gather broader input before any proposed amendments are finalized for placement on the ballot.

“Working towards the goal of the November 2025 election date… the council would review this in potentially 1 or 2, probably 2 or 3 publicized work sessions,” Smith said, describing outreach steps and the August filing window the council would need to meet to place measures on that year’s ballot. Councilors asked procedural questions about deadlines and encouraged staff to prepare materials that clearly lay out possible changes.

On the committee review, Smith proposed inviting three to four committee chairs to work sessions so the council could better understand each committee’s current work and goals. The council discussed using that information to consider whether to modify, add or dissolve particular committees and noted most committees are citizen-composed rather than council-only bodies.

Councilors generally supported the process and asked staff to circulate materials and schedule the work sessions and public outreach described. No legislative action was taken; Smith will return with a schedule and materials for upcoming work sessions.