Charter revisions analyzed
Rusk voters must okay proposals regarding mayor's vote
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

The City of Rusk charter revision committee met July 31 at city hall to continue work on recommendations for charter changes.

The committee will make its recommendations to the city council at a later time. The council will then call an election if members decide they want to pursue the changes.

All charter changes must be approved by voters living in the city limits.

Chairman Forrest Phifer said July 31 he had wanted the full committee to be present prior to voting on recommended changes.

The two members, who were absent, will be given the changes discussed and a meeting will be called when everyone will be able to attend. Plans are to approve the committee's recommendations at the next meeting.

The next election to approve the charter changes may be Nov. 13 or at the next city election on May 10, 2008.

The charter revision committee was appointed by the council at the request of Councilwoman, the late Ruth Ross. Mrs. Ross opposed the mayor voting on every issue because the vote would create a chance of a tie vote. She stated at the last committee meeting that she had requested the charter revisions.

Some members on the committee voiced their support to remove the mayor's vote and others said they are in favor of leaving the mayor with a vote.

Prior to a city election in 1996, the mayor only had a vote in the case of a tie.

The election gave the mayor the vote and the right to participate in discussion at council meetings. The original charter was approved in 1980.

Mr. Phifer, who serves as the city attorney, said "I sat down with the charter and went over it section by section. There are several items in the charter that conflict with the city ordinances and codes."

Also, Mr. Phifer told the committee the charter is not clear concerning what happens when the mayor dies or leaves office. "The question is does the mayor pro tem move into the mayor position and someone is appointed to fill the mayor pro-tem's district or does the mayor pro-tem continue to serve as that district's representative on the council?" Mr. Phifer asked.

Voters also set a $2,000 limit on department expenditures at the 1996 election. The committee is considering a change in that amount. Most members of the committee said they thought $25,000 was the right number on budgeted expenditures.

Attending the meeting were Mr. Phifer, Mike Crysup, Maxine Session, Jack White and Jerry Jordan. Absent were Glenda Johnson and Bobby Thrash.