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Resident urges ballot question on expanding council; town schedules special meeting to consider a resolution
Summary
A resident asked the council to put a measure on the ballot to increase the number of council members to reflect population growth; the council agreed by consensus to hold a special meeting next Monday to discuss and possibly pass a resolution before the filing deadline.
A resident urged Kingsford Heights council members on July 20 to place a question on the upcoming ballot asking voters to increase the number of town council seats to improve representation as the town grows.
The resident said continued residential development has increased the town’s population and asked the council to decide whether new seats would be at-large or ward-based and whether terms should be staggered. Council members discussed redistricting constraints tied to the 2030 census and whether the change could appear on the imminent ballot.
Council members debated the mechanics and timing of such a measure: whether to add members at-large or by ward, how to stagger terms, and whether the council could legally add seats now or must wait for a statutory process. Several members emphasized that voters should be given the choice.
Because of filing deadlines cited by staff, the council decided by consensus to hold a special meeting at 6:00 p.m. next Monday in the same building to discuss and possibly adopt a resolution for submission to the county by the required deadline.
The council did not vote on the ballot question itself on July 20; members asked staff to prepare resolution language and legal guidance for the special meeting.
