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Board approves charter amendments for Nov. 5 ballot, including renaming 'Board of Aldermen' to 'City Council'
Summary
The board voted to submit a set of charter amendments to voters on Nov. 5, 2025, proposing gender‑neutral language, renaming the Board of Aldermen to City Council, and moving many department, board and commission details into ordinance rather than charter text.
The Board approved an ordinance Aug. 12 to place a set of amendments to the Clayton City Charter on the Nov. 5, 2025 ballot. The proposed changes replace gender‑specific language, change the governing body’s formal name from “Board of Aldermen” to “City Council,” clarify term‑limit language, and move many operational provisions for departments, boards and commissions (fire, police, library board, parks and recreation, municipal court, plan commission and certain administrative officers) from the charter into the city code to be established or amended by ordinance.
City staff said transferring detailed operational provisions to the Code of Ordinances will make future adjustments easier and permit more flexibility for intergovernmental collaboration without recurrent charter amendments. Staff also said the election board reviewed the ballot language and advised a small wording change to the yes/no proposition; the city will post redline charter copies at polling places and on the city website for voter review.
Board members emphasized the need for a clear public education effort explaining that departments and boards remain intact but certain governance details will be handled by ordinance. The board introduced and gave unanimous consent to proceed with Bill No. 7086; the measure was read a second time and ordered placed on the Nov. 5 special election ballot.
