Residents ask for more say
City government would change to five-member council
Staff reporter
Marion City Commission will take a request under advisement but two of the three members did not appear to be in favor of approving the request.
Community leader and former Marion mayor Eloise Mueller addressed Marion City Commission Monday and asked them to consider expanding the three-member commission to a mayor and four-member council.
"Marion is the only city in the county with this form of government," Mueller said.
According to the League of Kansas Municipalities, there is one third-class city with a commission and 14 second-class.
"There would be better representation for the city with more on a council," Mueller said. "People want to help make decisions."
Mueller requested the commission approve a resolution to allow the issue be placed on the April ballot.
Commissioner Max Hayen asked if the city was required to be divided into precincts if it changed its form of government to a council.
Mayor Martin Tice said the city can make it whatever it wanted under the "home rule law."
Resident Bill Holdeman said he previously had served on the Newton City Council and was in favor of more leadership.
"Five heads are better than three," Holdeman said.
Tice asked those present if anyone would run for office if it was expanded. Three or four responded by raising their hands. He wondered if there was enough interest to fill two more positions.
"I think you'll find the kitchen just as hot with five members as three," said Tice.
"We do have a problem getting people to run," said resident Rocky Hett. "But with five positions, there might be more interest because it would take three votes instead of two to pass a motion."
Commissioner Jim Crofoot said he had talked with someone who had worked with both a three-person commission and a five-member council and didn't see a "huge" difference.
Tice said the commission would take it under advisement.
"How far down the road before you make a decision?" asked Mueller.
Tice said the commission needed to confer with the city attorney who was not at the meeting.
For more information, see page 6.
