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North Bend council forwards charter review committee recommendations, debates mayoral term change
Summary
The council voted Jan. 13 to approve the charter review committee's recommended changes and to direct staff to prepare ballot measures, including a proposed change to the mayoral term to mirror the League of Oregon Cities model; councilors debated whether the mayoral term should remain two years.
The North Bend City Council voted Jan. 13 to approve the Charter Review Committee’s recommended changes and to direct staff to prepare any required ballot measures, including a proposed modification to Section 229 of the city charter to mirror the League of Oregon Cities’ 2025 model charter.
The motion (moved and seconded) authorized staff to prepare ballot titles and materials. During discussion several council members expressed support for the package overall but questioned one change: increasing the mayor’s term from two years to four years. One council member said they “agree with everything in this change except changing the mayor's term from 2 to 4 years,” noting that two-year mayoral terms maintain more frequent electoral accountability for local leaders. Other members argued that longer terms may aid continuity and relationship-building at state and federal levels.
After discussion the council voted to refer the recommended charter amendments to the ballot process and authorized staff to prepare measures and ballot titles. A recorded verbal response in the meeting included at least one member saying 'nay' on the measure’s package, but the mayor announced the motion carried.
