Charter commission sets July 15 meeting, authorizes up to $5,000 for outreach design

The Lansing Charter Commission on June 24 scheduled a July 15 meeting to finalize outreach plans for proposed charter changes and approved a motion to authorize up to $5,000 to retain a graphic artist for draft materials.

The commission and clerk27s office discussed the administrative timeline for placing charter language on the November ballot. According to meeting comments citing the Michigan Secretary of State, the commission needs to have ballot language certified by Aug. 12, 2025, at 4 p.m., so the clerk can transmit it to the county for inclusion on the ballot.

Brian, the deputy clerk, told commissioners the commission27s remaining budget is about $274,000 after recent invoices: ‘‘Yes, so the budget at this point we have remaining over $276,000 remaining and maybe a little bit less because a few bills in the last month have not been processed yet. So 274,000 is probably it,’’ he said. The deputy clerk also said unspent funds would return to the city27s general fund.

Commissioners discussed public outreach options to inform voters about proposed charter changes. They considered a package like the one used earlier in their process: four neighborhood meetings plus one in city council chambers. Commissioners said the commission27s website already posts the current charter and a redline showing proposed edits; the clerk27s office said using the intern to update those pages carries no additional website-cost, but targeted promotion or paid distribution would incur costs.

On prior outreach costs, clerk27s office staff Emery reported that a fall 2024 mailing cost about $15,000. Commissioners asked the clerk27s office to prepare cost estimates for a new mailer and other outreach options. Commissioners also discussed scheduling neighborhood meetings after Labor Day and completing any mailings or forums before absentee ballots go out; a date of Sept. 25 was cited for absentee mailings to about 22,000 voters on the permanent absent-voter list.

Commissioner Boyd asked the clerk27s office to prepare budget scenarios for a post-election reconvening if the charter does not pass, and other commissioners asked that the clerk provide a recommended spending plan for early August consideration.

On a motion to authorize spending up to $5,000 for a graphic artist to prepare draft outreach materials, commissioners moved and supported the motion and the chair called the vote. The chair recorded the voice vote in the affirmative and the motion passed.

The commission directed the clerk27s office to prepare cost estimates for mailers and to post the initial informational document on the commission27s webpage pending any further edits and legal review. The commission set its next meeting for July 15 to act on those items.