Bradford council discusses petition to form charter commission to study home-rule government

A City of Bradford resident asked the council whether officials were considering a change to a home-rule form of government and whether outside groups had influenced the effort. The council responded that it is exploring the idea and outlined a petition-and-ballot process to form an elected charter commission to study the issue.

The resident asked, “Are you guys considering it? What's the details on?” Council members said they were not acting hastily and denied outside influence. “We're not being influenced by anybody from the outside,” a council member said, adding that the process would be open and public. The council member said the study would be conducted by an elected commission, not the mayor or city council.

The council described the steps residents would use to put the question to voters: petitions would begin circulating in August to place names on the ballot, the issue would appear on the November ballot asking residents whether to permit a study, and if voters approve the study a charter commission would be formed. The council member said, “It's basically gonna be an 18 month for 18 month process. They'll be playing public means for people to come and talk.” The commission, if formed, would hold public meetings and work with state representatives twice a month during the study period, the council member said.

Council members and the resident discussed who may circulate petitions and who may serve on the commission. The council said petition signatures must come from city residents and noted the timelines for placing names on the ballot. One participant asked whether the commission’s recommendations would be final; the council replied that the commission would make recommendations and any change in government form would still require a voter-approved ballot measure.

Speakers repeatedly addressed rumors about tax increases, saying the stated purpose of reviewing the form of government was not to increase property taxes. “People are saying things like the only reason we wanna do this is because we wanna be able to raise the millage rate. There's no truth to that at all,” a council member said. The council member said Bradford’s current budget picture and tax base were factors motivating the review.

There was no formal motion or vote during the discussion on forming a charter commission. Council members described the timeline and mechanics for petitions and ballots and said the public would have multiple opportunities to attend meetings and provide input if the study is approved.

The council moved on to other agenda items after the discussion; no action was taken at this meeting to place the question on a ballot or to formally create a commission.