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The City of Beaumont Charter Review Committee met a total of five times between May and July to gather their recommendations for city charter adjustments, most notably the recommendation of extending terms, enacting term limits, and eliminating unnecessary language in the charter, according to a presentation made to the City Council on Aug. 1.
Austin attorney Charles Zech assisted in explaining the recommendations, indicating to council that four-year terms are common for larger municipalities and, when paired with a staggered elections, secures a level of continuity.
Should the recommended Proposition A pass, the charter would change terms from two to four years and on staggered terms, and council members at large would be elected by place.
City Attorney Sharae Reed, who assisted the charter review committee during their most recent meeting, indicated that the committee as a whole expressed the desire to maintain a citywide election each time, which would mean, if the election were to be staggered, the position of mayor and councilmember at large would be paired together and the ward specific council seats would run together, as to balance the scales of a citywide election each term.
Proposition B recommends a term limit provision with a required single term sit-out after serving a maximum of eight consecutive years. However, should a councilmember decide to run for mayor immediately following their term limit as councilperson, they would be eligible to serve the full maximum of eight years as mayor prior to being required to sit-out a single term.
Proposition C would move the city clerk position to be managed by the city manager rather than by council, which Zech stated is the trend statewide. Several councilmembers agreed, considering drafting said change to be effective only upon the retirement of the current city clerk.
City Manager Kenneth Williams stated that, although this wasn’t his idea, there are benefits to operating the city so that the clerks are under the direction of the city manager in that it would allow for smoother processes.
“I certainly respect (City Clerk) Tina (Broussard) and what she does, and would not want to harm her,” Williams said.
Proposition D would allow council the flexibility of skipping weekly meetings as needed and to establish a calendar to allow for breaks and vacations.
Proposition E would add multiple sections clarifying the city manager’s role and authority, as well as making clear that members of the city council may not direct staff subject to the supervision of the city manager.
Proposition F was created to amend the charter for consistency and compliance with state law. Proposition G is to amend to delete repetitive and unnecessary provisions that are covered by state regulations.
Council members will be charged with deciding which of the proposals they would like placed on the ballot and the specific language within.
All specific language to be voted on has a deadline of being accepted at the Aug. 15 city council meeting in order to make the November ballot, according to Reed.