Austin council adopts three charter changes, including removing mayor as police head

The Austin City Council unanimously adopted three proposed charter amendments on Nov. 17, 2025, including a change that removes the mayor as the head of the police department.

Greg, a city staff member presenting the Charter Commission recommendations, told the council the commission met in August and October and approved three proposed charter changes. "The police department, as I mentioned, would take away the mayor as head of the police department," Greg said, adding the current mayor and the police chief support the change. He said the amendments were prepared under Minnesota Statutes and that unanimous council adoption would avoid a public referendum requirement.

The other two amendments clarify the city's authority to assess civil and administrative penalties and update Chapter 11 language for parks, recreation and forestry to resolve past ambiguities. Greg said the parks language had been presented to and recommended unanimously by the park board.

Mayor King moved preparation of the ordinance and the council voted to adopt the ordinance and accompanying resolutions. Roll-call votes were recorded as 7-0 for each adoption.

The mayor noted the change will alter formal oversight of the police department but said the council and staff had vetted the adjustment. Council members thanked the Charter Commission for its work and said they considered the amendments a proactive legal and administrative cleanup.

The ordinances will be published as required and the council instructed staff to prepare ordinance language for final publication and summary notice.