Form of Government Challenged RESOLUTION

7/31/2019 Form of Government Challenged RESOLUTION

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RESOLUTION NO. ________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAYLOR, WAYNE COUNTY,

MICHIGAN, PROPOSING ABANDONMENT OF THE PRESENT MAYOR - COUNCIL FORMOF GOVERNMENT ON NOVEMBER 6, 2013 AND THAT THE CITY BE GOVERNED UNDER

THE COUNCIL - MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT MOVING FORWARD

WHEREAS, numerous citizens have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Mayor -

Council form of government and seek professional management that reports to the City

Council; and

WHEREAS, the Council - Manager form of government is used by more cities, villages,

townships, and counties than any other form. It is a system of local government thatcombines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a governing body;

and

WHEREAS, local governments have found that overall costs actually have been reduced

with competent management. Savings come in the form of reduced operating costs,

increased efficiency and productivity, improved revenue collections, or effective use of

technology; and

WHEREAS, in Council - Manager form of government, the mayor and the governing body

and council members are the leaders and policy makers elected to represent thecommunity. They focus on policy issues that are responsive to citizens' needs and wishes.

The manager is appointed by the governing body to carry out policy and ensure that the

entire community is being served. If the manager is not responsive to the governing body's

wishes, the governing body has the authority to terminate the manager at a time; and

WHEREAS, the Council - Manager form of government encourages neighborhood input into

the political process, diffuses the power of special interests, and eliminates partisan politics

from municipal decisions; and

WHEREAS, the Council - Manager form of government, involvement of the entire electedbody ensures a more balanced approach to community decision making, so that all

interests can be expressed and heard not just those that are well funded; and

WHEREAS, under the Council - Manager form of government, qualifications and

performance and not skillful navigation of the political election process are the criteria the

elected body uses to select a professional manager. The professional manager, in turn,

uses his or her education, experience, and training to select department heads and other


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key managers to oversee the efficient delivery of services. In this way, Council - Manager

government maintains critical checks and balances to ensure accountability at city hall; and

WHEREAS, Section 2.11 of the Taylor Code of Ordinances provides for Amendments to the

Charter and State Law Act 270 of 1909 Section 117.21 Charter amendment; procedure

provides that a change of government form can be proposed and placed on the ballot byresolution for the voters to decide upon a 3/5 vote of the legislature for the government of

a city and such amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the city at the next regular

municipal or general state election held not less than 60 days after the proposal to the

amendment;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAYLOR, MICHIGAN DOES

RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1: It is proposed that the present Mayor - Council form of government used by

the City of Taylor be abandoned on November 6, 2013. It is further proposed that the City

reorganize and adopt the Council - Manager form of government moving forward.

Section 2: The proposal for abandonment of the Mayor - Council form of government on

November 6, 2013 and adoption of the Council - Manager form of government shall be

voted upon at the November 6, 2012 general election.

____________ BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAYLOR, MICHIGAN, AT A REGULAR

MEETING THEREOF, THIS 21ST DAY OF JULY, 2012.

Ayes:________________________________________

Nays:________________________________________

CITY OF TAYLOR, MICHIGAN

________________________________________

Attest: Jeff Lamarand, Mayor

______________________________________________

Cindy Bower, City Clerk


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BALLOT LANGUAGE

[ ] YES The City of Taylor shall abandon the Mayor - Council form of government on

November 6, 2013 and reorganize and adopt the Council - Manager form of governmentmoving forward. As the Council - Manager form of government is used by more cities,

villages, townships, and counties than any other form, involves the entire elected body to

ensure a more balanced approach to community decision making and encourages

neighborhood input into the political process, diffuses the power of special interests, and

eliminates partisan politics from municipal decisions.

[ ] NO The City of Taylor shall not abandon the Mayor - Council form of government.

Documents

Form of Government Challenged RESOLUTION