Hannibal council gives first readings to five charter-amendment ordinances to appear on April ballot

Hannibal — The Hannibal City Council on Jan. 7 gave first readings to five ordinances that would place proposed charter amendments before voters in the municipal election scheduled for April 8, 2025. The measures would require the Board of Public Works to give prior notice to the council before approving employee salary increases, before adopting a proposed Board budget and before approving utility rate increases; would change the number of affirmative votes required to remove a Board member; and would require the Board of Public Works to meet with the City Council upon the council’s request.

Mayor Lotterman said he brought the package to the open meeting to let voters decide. "All I'm asking of you guys is that we put this on the ballot in April and let the voters decide if they want more oversight or if they do," he said. He added that, if passed by voters, "these specific things would be under ordinance, not under charter." The council assigned readings to each ordinance; none of the measures were adopted or enacted at the meeting.

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