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Council agrees to pursue review of town charter; staff to develop proposed language and public hearing plan
Summary
Council gave staff direction to begin drafting proposed charter amendments and an outreach plan after Councilman Johnson presented changes on compensation language, town‑manager appointment, town‑attorney appointment and a "resign‑to‑run" idea; staff and legal counsel will prepare ordinance/charter language and a public hearing schedule.
Councilman Johnson introduced a package of proposed charter changes at the Oct. 21 meeting and the council agreed by consensus to ask staff and the town’s special counsel to draft proposed language and a public‑notice plan.
Johnson proposed revisions to Articles 3 and 4 to clarify/include "total compensation" rather than the word "salary," and suggested the wording could alternatively be defined by ordinance. He also proposed changes to Article 5 to make the town manager position a council‑appointed, at‑pleasure position (removing a fixed five‑year term), and changes to the personnel article to clarify that the town attorney is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the council.
Johnson also suggested adding a "resign‑to‑run" provision that would require an elected official to resign to become eligible to run for another office if the terms would overlap, citing conflict‑of‑interest and accountability concerns.
Council members praised the framing and linked the effort to the council’s strategic‑plan goals; several councilmembers noted the charter review is a multi‑step process that will include staff drafting, legal review, public hearings and, if the council adopts an initiating resolution, publication and the possibility of referendum by voters. The council asked staff to bring back a legal/drafting proposal and public hearing schedule for future consideration.
No charter amendments were adopted on Oct. 21; staff will prepare draft language and a public‑notice/hearing plan in accordance with state law before any council vote.
