MADISON — Madison Forward is moving forward on efforts to hold a vote on city manager in Alabama’s ninth largest city.
At Monday night’s city council meeting, the citizens group’s co-chair said a petition on a special election has been submitted to the Madison County probate judge for verification.
James Ross, co-chair of Madison Forward, announced the required 900 signatures had been obtained. The citizens group had introduced the petition calling for a special election for a council-manager form of government.
“Once the signatures are certified by the probate judge, Madison Mayor Paul Finley will set an election date within a 40-90 day window from the date he receives them,” Ross said.
By that timeline, a special election could be set for early spring.
Madison operates 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.
Community meetings were held last summer to discuss the issue. A Governance Transition Committee, appointed by Finley, unanimously proposed a council-manager government.
Ross and Madison Forward Co-chair Dr. Terri Johnson discussed the benefits of a council-manager government at a community meeting in July.
“A city manager running the day-to-day operations would allow the city to be run like a business focusing on the goals the mayor and city council have laid out,” said Johnson.
Ross said the mayor would then have more time to focus on “the strategic vision and outreach of our city”.
Johnson said continuity, accountability and transparency would also improve under a council-manager format.
Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said at a September meeting, Auburn’s city manager is chief operating officer, and he is chairman of the board.
“I’m the one meeting with government leaders and stakeholders,” said Anders.
Because Madison is within two counties, Ross said the Limestone County probate judge will receive petitions once Madison County Probate has certified the signatures from residents of Madison County.
“After that, Mayor Finley will set the date for the election,” said Ross. “The best estimate for an election would be late February to April.”
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