St. George Charter Commission Sends Proposal to Voters for March 29 Election

The City of St. George Charter Commission under the leadership of chairman Ryan Heck has completed work on a proposed City Charter for the City of St. George.

The proposal was sent to the St. George City Council, which called an election on the proposed charter at its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

The proposal now must go to the State Bond Commission, which reviews all proposed local elections for compliance with state law.

If approved by the Bond Commission, the proposed City Charter will appear on the ballot in St. George on March 29 at the same time that voters will elect a Mayor, Police Chief, and seven members of the City Council. Those officials will replace the interim officials appointed earlier this year by Gov. Jeff Landry.

In an interview with the St. George Leader, Mayor Dustin Yates thanked the Charter Commission for its hard work.

The proposed charter would establish a city government, which is somewhat different from other municipalities in the Baton Rouge area.  It provides for a weak Mayor and strong City Manager form of government.  Day-to-day operations of the city would be under the supervision of the City Manager.  Among his duties would be to propose the City Budget.

The Mayor would preside over City Council meetings and set the agenda.  He could veto ordinances and appropriations but would not administer city government.