Purple team outlines three ballot initiatives: council‑manager government, appointed finance chief, hybrid ward council

The governance subcommittee presented three linked ballot initiatives March 5 that would reshape Mount Vernon government if voters approve them: (1) move from a mayor‑council to a council‑manager form of government; (2) replace the elected comptroller with an appointed finance professional; and (3) adopt a hybrid council election model (four ward members plus at‑large seats).

The team read draft ballot language for each proposal. On the council‑manager question Dolores Loops read the ballot text: “Shall the City of Mount Vernon, New York adopt a change to its current form of government by transitioning from a mayor council system to a city manager council system?” The presentation said the mayor would remain separately elected but shift from executive to ceremonial and policy roles while a professionally trained city manager would handle day‑to‑day administration. The team proposed an effective date tied to the current mayor’s term…