New Charlotte City Council district, longer terms could be on 2023 ballots
The Charlotte City Council on Monday moved forward a plan to give members longer terms, add a new district representative and ensure all seats aren’t on the ballot at the same time.
The council on Monday voted 6-4 on a resolution of intent to change its form of government — extending terms from two to four years, adding an 8th district and staggering terms. While the council doesn’t need voter approval to make the changes, the measure being considered would send them to voters on the November ballot for approval.
The council will hold a public hearing March 13 about the changes.
Council members Malcolm Graham, Tariq Bokhari, Ed Driggs and Marjorie Molina voted against the resolution. James “Smuggie” Mitchell was absent Monday night.
“Not a very good mandate to go to the voters,” Mayor Vi Lyles said about the close margin.
The changes have been discussed by council for years leading up to Monday. It came to a vote after being presented to the council by the city’s budget, governance and intergovernmental relations committee.
“This conversation was happening long before I came into office in 2011,” at-large representative LaWana Mayfield said.
Council members disagree about changes
Intergovernmental committee chair Dimple Ajmera said adding a district will help Charlotte’s growing number of residents.
Bokhari disagreed, saying putting the changes on the ballot when the city wants a transit tax referendum, too, is “politically tone deaf at best.” The council on Monday also passed federal and state legislative agendas that include a request to fund the city’s mobility plan, which includes expansions to public transit.
Adding an 8th district without removing an at-large district will result in more tied votes, he said. A citizen advisory committee recommended the council remove an at-large seat with a new district, too, he said. Bokhari also said he’s never heard from members of the public asking council members to serve longer terms.
Mayfield called Bokhari’s comments disingenuous.
“You don’t have to sit up here and play this game of words and make it seem like ... ‘The only way I will support is if we go to Raleigh and ask them to let me kiss the golden ring so that they can give us permission,’” Mayfield said. “That is a challenge because the people in Raleigh are probably not the ones that voted for you.”
Driggs pointed out voters would have the ultimate say on the matter, but still cast a “no” vote.
“I don’t want to vote for this and send a message to the public that I’m in support of this,” Driggs said.
The intergovernmental committee hasn’t yet recommended making council positions full time, effectively giving themselves a raise, something Mayfield and other council members have rallied behind in the past.
This story was originally published February 14, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
