WESTOVER — Two charter amendments that will significantly alter elections in the city of Westover were passed on first reading Monday by Westover City Council.
But not without a bit of back and forth.
With no discussion, council unanimously passed an ordinance that will move the city’s standalone elections — historically held the second Tuesday of June in even-numbered years — in line with the county’s May primary.
But when it came time to vote on a charter change that will double term lengths for the city’s mayor from two to four years, Councilor Alli Jackson said he didn’t believe council should take that on.
“Isn’t that something that we really should put out to the citizens of Westover, if they want to change the mayorship to four years,” Jackson asked. “I’m thinking that’s the better way to go, rather than council just arbitrarily changing something like that.”
Jackson, Edie Viola and Duane Tatar voted against the ordinance, which passed 4-3.
There are two ways to change a city charter. One is by ordinance. The other is through a ballot question.
Jackson said he believes putting the issue before the voters would be more transparent.
And that may end up happening anyway.
The two ordinances will be up for second reading when council next meets, on June 21. Prior to that meeting public hearings will be held on the two charter changes starting at 5:30 and 5:45 p.m.
To be able to change the charter by ordinance, the public hearing process must pass with no objections. If the city receives any objections to one or both of the changes, the matter(s) would have to go before the city’s voters.
While Tatar ultimately voted against the term length ordinance, he was one of multiple councilors who took exception to any belief that there’s a lack of transparency.
“I understand what you’re saying, and if that’s the way you feel about it, that’s fine. But don’t sit here and say we’re not being forthright and up front with people because we are,” Tatar said.
Councilor Shawna Cross agreed.
“I think we’re transparent anyway. I think the community needs to be more involved and know what’s going on,” she said.
Also on Monday, council approved an amendment to its agreement with Thrasher Engineering that will pay the firm just under $1.6 million for the design, funding preparation, bidding, inspection and engineering services for the Holland Avenue and Dents Run pump station projects.
