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Wellington trustees pause home‑rule push after survey shows modest support, low trust
Summary
After a staff presentation of a March survey showing 47–48% support for forming a home‑rule charter commission and mixed trust in local government, the Wellington Board of Trustees directed staff to pause the home‑rule effort and use the board retreat/strategic planning to determine next steps and whether to reallocate education funds.
Kelly Hodling, Wellington’s deputy town administrator, told the Board of Trustees that a March 3–9 survey of registered Wellington voters yielded 537 responses and found mixed levels of trust and modest support for a home‑rule charter commission. "We received 537," Hodling said, and she reported "47% in favor, 31% opposed, and 22% undecided," with support rising only to 48% after additional education in the survey.
The results prompted extended discussion among trustees about whether to continue the town’s home‑rule education effort this year. Several trustees described a need for clearer goals and more community education before asking voters to approve a charter commission. "I would rather see maybe some rethinking about communication," Trustee Kennon said, arguing that undecided voters could be swayed with better outreach. Trustee Barrett asked the board to clarify what concrete powers or changes the town would seek through home rule before advancing the process.
Board members also raised concerns about public trust. Several trustees said the town should focus on rebuilding confidence in local government — through transparency, targeted outreach and by completing priorities residents expect — rather than immediately spending budgeted education dollars on a ballot measure unlikely to pass. Trustee Moyer urged a work session to brief new board members and reassess whether to use the reserved funds now or hold them in reserve.
Given the survey results and trustees’ comments, the board coalesced around guidance to pause the home‑rule project and revisit the issue during the board’s strategic planning retreat. Town staff committed to deliver the past home‑rule presentations and packet materials to trustees before that retreat, scheduled by staff for May 14–15, to inform any further decisions.
What happens next: staff will hold the remaining funds in reserve for now and prepare materials for the board’s strategic planning session. Trustees said they are open to more education and work sessions to define specific objectives for a charter commission if the board later decides to resume the effort.
