Major changes in the proposed Lansing City Charter

(Here are the major changes in the Lansing City Charter that are included in the charter that the elected charter commission has recommended replace the city’s 1978 charter. For a more detailed look at the proposed charter, see lansingvotes.gov/yourcharter.)

— City Council would expand to nine members by adding a fifth ward to the four at-large seats.

— City Council would gain the power to suspend or remove the city attorney by a two-thirds vote. Currently, only the mayor can remove the city attorney, whom the mayor nominates and the Council appoints.

— The mayor would have to present a three-year strategic plan within a year of taking office, including “comprehensive data and analysis of the City’s current situation” with specific, measurable goals. The mayor would report on these goals yearly.

— City elections would be held every four years starting in 2029, with all elections consolidated into that schedule. Beginning that year, all city Council members will be up for reelection at the same time, instead of half being elected every two years.

— The city would create an online “Tax and Debt Dashboard,” including an overview of the city’s “millages, assessments and debt obligations.” That would include information about all millages, including their tax rates and amounts generated per year, and all bonds, including their principal amount, interest rate and maturity date. It would be “transparent and comprehensive” and updated every six months.

— A new city office, the “Office of the Independent Internal Auditor,” would be created. The mayor would appoint the auditor, subject to the Council’s approval, which could remove the auditor by a two-third’s vote. The auditor would work independently from both. The auditor, with access to all necessary records, would conduct an annual financial analysis of all agencies, as well as annually audit specific “high-risk agencies and/or processes,” with reports to be made to the mayor and the Council. The auditor would make an annual report of the city’s finances.

— The definition of “publish” would be expanded to include posting the information to the city’s website, in addition to other means.

— Candidates would be barred from office if they have felony convictions in the last 20 years related to deceit or fraud while holding elected office. Currently, any felony conviction in the last 20 years bars a candidate from office. In addition, candidates must meet eligibility requirements when filing for office, rather than taking office.

— Ordinances would no longer expire every 10 years.

— Voters would choose whether to elect a charter commission to revise the charter every 16 years, rather than every 12. In addition, a commission would be elected at the same time the question is posed, rather than in a special election. If voters do not choose to revise the charter, that selection would be void.

— The “best value” bidder would be chosen when contracting with outside parties, rather than the lowest-cost.

— The Fire Department would be designated the “primary provider of emergency medical services.”

— The Board of Water & Light would be required to hold two public meetings before a rate change, as opposed to one.

— Three nonvoting advisory positions on the BWL from outside Lansing would no longer exist.

— The BWL general manager or a designee would be required to meet quarterly with the public.

— The charter’s language has been updated to be more inclusive.