Voters in the Nov. 5 General Election in the city of Belleville will consider four changes to the City Charter, which was written in 1982.
At the end of the ballot is the Proposal Section and the following is on the city ballots.
Proposal 1: A proposed amendment to Section 5.3 (Regular Meetings) of the City of Belleville City Charter
Currently, Section 5.3 of the City Charter requires that meetings of the City Council are held two times each month at 7:30 p.m. The proposed amendment requires City Council to set an annual schedule for its regular meetings by no later than the first meeting in December of the prior calendar year and allows the Mayor to cancel a meeting in the event a meeting has no scheduled agenda items.
Should this proposed amendment be adopted?
Proposal 2: A proposed amendment to Section 5.7 (Rules) of the City of Belleville City Charter
Currently, Section 5.7 of the City Charter requires a roll call vote for all matters acted on by the Council. The proposed amendment to Section 5.7 provides that a voice or roll call vote may be taken and recorded in the meeting minutes, except that votes related to the expenditure of City funds must be taken and recorded by roll call vote.
Should this proposed amendment be adopted?
Proposal 3: A proposed amendment to Section 15.8 (Purchase Procedure) of the City of Belleville City Charter
Currently, Section 15.8 of the City Charter requires that city purchases of more than $500 require Council approval and that purchases of $5,000 or more require a formal bidding process. The proposed amendment would: 1) delete the section’s requirements for Council approval of purchases of more than $500 and a formal bidding process for purchases of $5,000 or more, 2) require the Council to approve a policy by resolution that details purchasing and contracting procedures, price thresholds, and sources, and 3) change this section’s title from Purchase Procedure to Procurement Procedure.
Should this proposed amendment be adopted?
Proposal 4: A proposed amendment to delete Chapter 16 (Civil Service) of the City of Belleville City Charter
Currently, Chapter 16 of the City Charter provides for a Civil Service structure and creation of a Civil Service Commission responsible for personnel administration. The proposed amendment deletes the Chapter in its entirety so that the City Manager is responsible for personnel administration.
Should this proposed amendment be adopted?
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