Charter commission renames mayoral aide role to 'Deputy to the Mayor'; commissioners debate chief administrative officer option

The Lansing Charter Commission on Feb. 4 voted to change the chartered title "executive assistant to the mayor" to "Deputy to the Mayor," prompting a wider discussion about whether the city should instead create a formally defined chief administrative officer role.

The commission adopted the title change by voice vote and directed staff to replace references in Article 4. Commissioners debated whether a deputy title implies succession or an operational chief; several favored a more descriptive title such as chief administrative officer or chief of staff. Commissioners also discussed whether the deputy/CAO should be required to meet minimum qualifications and whether the position should be a civil-service role or an at-will appointment by the mayor.

Why it matters: The chartered title determines formal duties, public expectations and oversight. How the charter describes that position also affects transparency about who runs daily operations and who coordinates departments.

What the commission decided

The commission voted to change the title throughout Article 4 to "Deputy to the Mayor." Staff were instructed to update cross-references in the charter and to prepare language about minimum qualifications for the position for later review.

Key points from the debate

- Several commissioners favored the more administrative-sounding title "Chief Administrative Officer" or "Chief of Staff," citing a desire for clearer operational responsibilities and qualifications.

- Some commissioners said changing the chartered title alone will not limit mayoral discretion to hire or rename positions; the body discussed drafting qualification parameters and job-description expectations so future incumbents must meet minimum education or experience standards.

- Commissioners noted the mayor currently lists a chief administrative officer on the city website and pays that role a public salary; some asked whether the charter should reflect the mayor's existing staffing structure or leave flexibility for future administrations.

Direct quote: "We're not naming a secretary; this person is expected to run day-to-day operations and should have municipal experience," one commissioner said during the debate (attribution: recorded participant list below).

What happens next: City legal staff will return with proposed language that (1) replaces the title across the charter, (2) identifies any required qualifications or appointment process the commission wants to include and (3) ensures consistency with other charter sections that reference mayoral staff.

Ending: The item passed by voice vote and will return as updated text on a future agenda.