Bill Johannessen Explains Why He Is Voting No on St. George City Charter

When I entered the City Council race, I approached the proposed Home Rule Charter for St. George with an open mind. 

Like many of you, I recalled the early incorporation efforts led by folks like Chris Rials, who pitched a public-private partnership model like Sandy Springs, GA, or our neighbors in the City of Central. 

As a conservative, I’m all for smaller, localized, responsive government—closer to the people it serves. Initially, I thought putting the HRC on the ballot made sense. 

But after watching the contentious January 14 City Council meeting on the salaries of our elected city officials and studying the final Charter myself, I’ve come to a clear decision that this HRC isn’t the right fit for St. George. 

I am grateful for the dedication and hard work the charter commission put in. However, I can’t get behind what they have come up with. Here’s why. 

A Flawed and Costly Framework. My first pass at the Charter raised immediate concerns. The proposed salary of $160,000 for a Mayor with no real executive duties seems excessive for such a limited role. 

I support and have a lot of respect for our current and next mayor, Dustin Yates, and believe he has proven himself a capable and dedicated leader for St. George. 

However, this Charter doesn’t set him up to lead effectively. It strips the mayor of executive authority, leaving us with a figurehead position that costs far more than it delivers. Dustin would make a fine mayor, but only with a Charter that gives the office real executive power to act decisively for our community. 

Then there’s the City Manager position. At first, I saw potential in having a professional manager, but the more I thought about it, the more it felt it was an additional expense we don’t need. 

In a public-private partnership like Central’s, the private service provider employs a Project Manager — who handles those duties without adding another layer of bureaucracy. A stand alone City Manager in St. George could cost upwards of a quarter million dollars a year — money we don’t need to spend when a mayor like Dustin Yates, properly empowered, could oversee the Project Manager directly. 

This Charter’s framework not only undermines a strong leader like Yates but also piles on unnecessary expenses for the taxpayers, contradicting the fiscal responsibility we want and deserve. 

A Plan That Doesn’t Match Us. 

HRC supporters argue that imperfections can be fixed later. I wrestled with that — it sounds reasonable. But after consulting trusted voices on both sides, I found a glaring issue: This “Council-Managed” government with a City Manager isn’t just untested here — it doesn’t exist anywhere in Louisiana! 

Of the 34 cities with a Home Rule Charter, every single one has a Mayor with executive authority and a Council with legislative authority. It’s a proven balance of leadership and oversight. Contrast that with the 245 municipalities under the Lawrason Act. 

Only one—the City of Central — uses a public-private partnership, where a private provider’s Project Manager reports to a Mayor with executive authority. 

Central’s model works because it’s lean and efficient, built on a solid foundation. This Charter, if passed, costs us more and gives us less.  

A Better Way Forward. I’m not against a Home Rule Charter and hope the city can pass one in the not too distant future. The governing authority may appoint members to a commission to develop a well-crafted charter, or we can use the petition process outlined under the Lawrason Act, where signatures from just 10 percent of registered voters can bring it to a vote. 

That’s democracy — letting the people decide when the plan is right. But this Charter, with its inflated salaries, unnecessary City Manager, and unproven structure, isn’t the answer. It piles on costs and complexity when a public-private partnership under the Lawrason Act could deliver the same results for less. 

As a conservative, I stand for government that’s practical, accountable, and fiscally responsible. This HRC doesn’t check those boxes. 

It’s not about blocking progress — it’s about avoiding a costly mistake. St. George deserves a government that’s efficient and proven, not a quarter-million-dollar gamble with no precedent.  

On March 29, I will be voting NO on the Home Rule Charter.  

We must do this right, not just get it done. 

Bill Johannessen is a candidate for an at-Large City Council seat.