- April 23, 2024
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The officials were sworn in at City Hall.
The new City Commission, containing the same members as the old City Commission, was sworn in at City Hall on Nov. 18. Only Zone 2 Commissioner Troy Kent, who won against Dann Dragone, was challenged in the fall election. All of the commission terms will end in two years, so they can be challenged in the 2016 election.
Commission terms have not always been two years.
“It’s been all over the board,” said City Manager Joyce Shanahan. “Two year terms, four years, six years.”
The term length is determined by the city charter, and city voters set the term limits at two years several years ago.
Having the officials all face election in the same year leaves the possibility of a major turnover in any election, but City Attorney Randy Hayes said the city manager is charged with running day-to-day operations.
“There would be continuity,” he said.
Commissioner Rick Boehm said an advantage to having commissioners retain their seats is they can follow through on projects, such as the Environmental Learning Center, which is set to be built next year.
“I first heard about the learning center in 2010,” he said. “It takes a long time for an idea to become nuts and bolts.”
Commissioner Bill Partington said the stability and predictability of a commission is important for the business community and residents.
Partington was elected deputy mayor by the commission, a role he had in the previous term. He is responsible for filling in for Mayor Ed Kelley in community and government meetings when necessary. He said it has been his pleasure to serve.
“If this were Toronto, it would be a hard job,” he said with a smile. “It’s easy here because we have such a good mayor.”
