MILTON — A discussion on expanding the City Council’s duties to include hiring and firing city employees will continue next month.
At a May 1 Executive Committee meeting, Councilman Jeff Snow mentioned wanting to amend the city charter to allow the council final approval, by majority vote, in hiring and firing contract employees. This includes the police chief, fire chief, all department supervisors with the city, as well as the special magistrate and public information officer.
“I feel that staff should have more accountability than just (City Manager) Brian (Watkins),” Snow said. “And that would take a full vote of this council.”
The discussion continued through several meetings, including the June 15 Charter Review Committee meeting; all of the city council and Mayor Wesley Meiss are on the committee.
An item on the meeting’s agenda included deciding whether a referendum was necessary. The council needs a referendum to change the charter; therefore, members must construct language to place the issue on the ballot. Then registered voters can determine whether they want the charter changed to include the council’s power to hire and fire city employees.
According to Watkins, the subject, once again tabled, will be discussed at next month’s currently unscheduled administration meeting.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Council to continue discussion on expanding role