Lake Santeetlah – A resolution that would reduce the number of members on the town council could be ready as soon as next month.
The April 16 meeting – held using the Zoom app – featured Mayor Jim Hager discussing the amendment to the town’s charter with council members Keith Predmore, Diana Simon, Roger Carlton and Craig Keith. Included in the changes would be the reduction of the council’s size from five members to three, staggered terms and the length of terms. It is not the first time the council has discussed possible changes, but the movement has picked up over the last several months. Hager polled the council on reducing the number of members and received a split decision – 2-2, though members said they would support what citizens wanted – while everyone seemed to be in agreement that two-year staggered terms would be favorable.
Town attorney Craig Justus will draft a resolution to be presented May, which will give the council the chance to either vote for or against the changes. The council also concluded that making the switch via ordinance – rather than putting it on the ballot for a vote, which was the original push behind the discussion – would be simpler.
Other items discussed during the meeting included the water tank and well-house repairs being placed on hold, plus a preliminary analysis of the 2020-21 budget and non-residential property owners venting their frustrations over decisions made by Graham County in regards to implementing a permit process.
The latter ended up being resolved when the county rescinded both the permits and Graham County border closures Friday afternoon.