The Carroll City elections are closing in, and the council is moving forward with gathering information on the possibility of making changes to the current form of government. City Attorney, David Bruner reported to the council during a recent work session that the current form, consisting of a Mayor, one council member elected from each of four wards within the city and two at large members, has been the form of government for Carroll since prior to 1975. The option he presented not only addresses the ward system but would also change the number of voting members from an even number to odd.
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He added that the Mayor-Council form up for consideration would have the council provide for the city manager and prescribe their duties and powers. The Mayor would appoint a council member pro-tem and the police chief subject to council consent. The Mayor would not be a member of the council and would not have a vote. The council members discussed the option of odd membership, with Dr. Eric Jensen noting that he would prefer a seven member board to five, citing the ease with which a consensus could be derived if only three votes were needed. He said he believed it would be more fair and representative to have more members. City Manager, Gerald Clausen reported that 97 percent of all municipalities in the state of Iowa have an odd number of council members. Mayor Adam Schweers addressed the need for the ward system in Carroll.
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Council member Clay Haley said he believed elimination of the ward system would provide an opportunity for more individuals interested in serving to run. But council member Mike Kots cautioned that they may want to consider keeping the representation spread throughout different areas of the community.
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Bruner also told the council the form of government could be adopted after a petition that equals at minimum 25% of those who voted in the last regular city election is presented to the council and a special election is held for citizens to vote on the change. The council requested more information from Bruner and the city staff that detailed the history of the different forms of government the city has implemented as well as what would happen if more than one option were petitioned.