The Wellington City Council will hold a special City Council meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m., to discuss an ordinance that would change the form of city government.
The council will consider a charter ordinance with changes to the council and to the ward system.
The proposal, submitted by the restructuring committee, suggests the current four wards of be changed to three equal sized districts. Primaries and General Elections in even numbered years would also be eliminated for “significant financial savings.” Council members would be elected to four-year terms. Two-term limits would also be put in place, with council members only able to serve eight consecutive elected years. This would reduce the total council from 9 members — eight council members and a mayor — to seven, beginning in April 2013.
The timeline to change the council and the districts is as follows:
• In April 2011, the Mayor’s position would be changed to a four-year term with the Mayor elected at-large. Also during that time, four city council members elected by the current Ward system would change to two-year terms.
• In April 2012, the other four council member positions would be elected to one-year terms.
• In April 2013, the District system would be implemented, reducing the council to six members, two from each of the three districts. The top vote getters from each district will get a four-year term, while the second vote getter would get a two-year term.
• In April 2015, the correct election cycle would begin for all offices. Winners in the 2015 election will be elected to four-year terms and the Mayor would once again be elected from at-large. Three city council members would be elected, one from each district.
The public will be able to be heard at the meeting regarding the agenda items, City Manager Gus Collins said.
After the special meeting, a city council work session will be held.
For more on the council’s decision, check back with www.wellingtondailynews.com.
|
|
|
The Wellington City Council will hold a special City Council meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m., to discuss an ordinance that would change the form of city government.
The council will consider a charter ordinance with changes to the council and to the ward system.
The proposal, submitted by the restructuring committee, suggests the current four wards of be changed to three equal sized districts. Primaries and General Elections in even numbered years would also be eliminated for “significant financial savings.” Council members would be elected to four-year terms. Two-term limits would also be put in place, with council members only able to serve eight consecutive elected years. This would reduce the total council from 9 members — eight council members and a mayor — to seven, beginning in April 2013.
The timeline to change the council and the districts is as follows:
• In April 2011, the Mayor’s position would be changed to a four-year term with the Mayor elected at-large. Also during that time, four city council members elected by the current Ward system would change to two-year terms.
• In April 2012, the other four council member positions would be elected to one-year terms.
• In April 2013, the District system would be implemented, reducing the council to six members, two from each of the three districts. The top vote getters from each district will get a four-year term, while the second vote getter would get a two-year term.
• In April 2015, the correct election cycle would begin for all offices. Winners in the 2015 election will be elected to four-year terms and the Mayor would once again be elected from at-large. Three city council members would be elected, one from each district.
The public will be able to be heard at the meeting regarding the agenda items, City Manager Gus Collins said.
After the special meeting, a city council work session will be held.
For more on the council’s decision, check back with www.wellingtondailynews.com.
