As part of the discussion on potential changes to Battle Creek's city charter, Commissioner Kate Flores prepared a memo looking at whether the commission historically has represented the community.
With the help of city staff, Flores considered 20 years of data.
She discussed the memo, as part of the commission's greater discussion about the potential direct election of the mayor, during the Oct. 15 City Commission meeting. Selection of the mayor and vice mayor was an issue given to the Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee that met at the commission's direction in 2018. A majority of that group recommended direct election of both the mayor and vice mayor.
The resolution before the commission, to place a question on the ballot for direct election of the mayor, failed 5-4 on Oct. 15. While five commissioners voted for it, the resolution required 6 votes to pass.
Read Commissioner Flores' memo, linked below.