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Demorest holds first reading of four home-rule charter amendments, city attorney to research quorum issue
Summary
City Attorney Thomas Mitchell gave first readings on four proposed home-rule amendments — mayoral powers, contracting procedures, property sale/lease rules, and ordinance procedures including limited one-read ordinances — and will research quorum implications if mayor/pro tem are unavailable.
The Demorest City Council received first readings Dec. 2 of four proposed home-rule amendments to the city charter. City Attorney Thomas Mitchell outlined changes to Section 2.29 (Powers and Duties of the Mayor), Section 6.25 (Contracting Procedures), Section 1.14 (Powers Relating to the Sale or Lease of Property), and Section 2.22 (Ordinance Form; Procedures).
The proposed change to Section 2.29 would formalize a Mayor Pro Tem appointment and set procedures for designating a councilmember authorized to sign checks; the amendment would also end the informal practice of assigning councilmembers to oversee departments, which staff said has created conflict with the city manager form of government. The draft of Section 2.22 would allow a restricted one-read ordinance in certain cases.
Councilman Shawn Allen asked how quorum and voting would be handled if the mayor and mayor pro tem were both unavailable; Attorney Mitchell said he would investigate whether the issue requires action by the legislature or can be resolved under home-rule authority. The measures were presented for first reading and will return for further review and a potential vote.
