MADISON — A community meeting on Madison’s plans for a city manager will be tonight at 6.
Following the recommendation of a governance transition committee appointed by Mayor Paul Finley, tonight’s is the first of several public meetings to discuss a possible change from a council-mayor to a council-manager format.
Dr. Terri Johnson, the co-chair of Madison Forward, said the purpose of tonight’s meeting is information. In January, the team unanimously recommended a council-manager government for Alabama’s 10th largest city.
“This meeting is the first of several community meetings for the purpose of informing the public about the roles of council, mayor and a city manager in a council-manager type of city government and to hear from citizens what information they need in order to make a decision about whether they would support a transition to this form of government,” she said.
Madison is under a council-mayor format with seven voting district representatives. Under the new plan, the city would be redrawn into six districts, with the mayor elected at-large and serving as the seventh vote. The mayor would also serve as the president of the city council. A city manager would be hired to oversee day-to-day operations.
“It is important to provide citizens an opportunity to understand how the residents, businesses, and schools would be affected by such a change so that they can make an informed vote on this decision,” said Johnson.
The transition team outlined benefits that would provide continuity even as elected officials change and allow the city to be run like a business.
Johnson said the decision will be up to the people of Madison to decide in a referendum.
“A change in the form of government for Madison can only be made by a majority of registered voters in the city,” she said.
City Managers Sam Gaston of Mountain Brook and Jeff Downes of Vestavia Hills will attend the meeting. They will describe their roles and duties and will be available to answer questions.
Residents who are unable to attend the meeting are invited to submit questions.
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