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Council approves charter change to let it contract for city manager terms, sends amendment to ballot
Summary
The council unanimously approved Resolution 5914 to amend Charter Article III so council can negotiate and contract the city manager’s terms, removing the ‘indefinite term’ and fixed two‑month severance language; the change will be placed on an upcoming ballot.
The Chandler City Council on May 22 voted unanimously to send a charter amendment to voters that would allow the council to contract with the appointed city manager on negotiated terms rather than rely on a 1965 provision that names an “indefinite” appointment and a two‑month severance provision.
Under current Charter Article III, sections 3.01 and 3.02, the city manager is described as appointed for an indefinite term and entitled to two months’ severance upon removal. Resolution 5914, drafted by the city attorney’s office and sponsored by council members, would revise those sections to permit the council to enter an employment contract with the manager “on such terms as the council and manager agree.” The resolution also aligns the city manager’s appointment language with other appointed officers in the charter.
City staff told the council the city’s existing manager contract is not aligned with the outdated charter language. Council members said the amendment would bring the charter into line with current practice and allow the city to retain and recruit senior managers using contract terms, including negotiated severance provisions.
Several public commenters supported the change as a modernization of an out‑of‑date provision. Dwayne Littman, a local resident, told the council the amendment is needed so the city can “attract and retain good employees.” Resident Ruth Jones cautioned that the council must be careful to avoid an appearance of a conflict of interest when council sets the manager’s compensation and severance, saying the council should protect itself from perception problems.
The council voted unanimously to forward the amendment to the ballot (Resolution 5914). No specific contract terms were adopted tonight; the amendment would permit future negotiated contracts between the council and a city manager.
