LEWISTON — While several amendments to the city charter will go into effect next month, there could be more changes in store next year.
In June 2022, Lewiston voters will again be asked to weigh in on the city charter, but this time, the city could establish an elected Charter Commission to take an even more detailed look at the document.
According to City Clerk Kathy Montejo, the nine amendments approved by voters Nov. 2 are slated to go into effect Dec. 2. The list includes a shift to staggered terms for elected officials that will begin in 2023.
However, with a Charter Commission on the table next year, it’s possible — though unlikely — that every change approved by voters this fall could be amended again by an elected commission.
That was one of the arguments some officials shared in October, when the City Council voted 4-3 to send the question to voters next year.
Mayor Mark Cayer was one of those voices, arguing that this year’s charter review committee conducted a thoughtful review.
“To turn around after all that work is done, and say, ‘We know you did all that work but we’re going to do it all over again,’ I just think is a terrible message to send,” he said.
A full charter commission process, like the one playing out in Portland, could lead to wholesale changes in Lewiston’s government structure. However, supporters say it’s needed to ensure an equitable process and after decades of limited updates.
Those voting in favor last month said while the review committee did its job, its representation was not reflective of the entire city. A Charter Commission would allow six residents to be elected to drive the work.
This year’s charter review was also more limited in scope compared to what a Charter Commission can accomplish, but did succeed in forwarding an amendment to move to two-year staggered terms for elected officials after debate over whether it constituted a “major” change to Lewiston’s structure of government.
With a Charter Commission, everything is on the table. Leading up to the June 2022 vote, city officials will have to decide whether to conduct the election of commissioners at the same time, or wait until the November 2022 election.
According to state statutes, the election of commissioners can be held either during the same municipal election as the referendum for the charter commission, or at the next municipal or state election.
Montejo said if officials opt for June, nomination papers would likely become available sometime in March, bringing the timeline a lot sooner. She said other decisions will also have to be made, like whether commissioners will be elected at-large or by wards.
If ultimately approved by voters, the Charter Commission process is about a year, after which any proposed amendments would again go before voters.
In Portland, the charter commission has focused on the balance of power between the elected mayor and the city manager, but those elected to the commission have also expressed interest in expanding the size of the City Council and other issues.
Former Councilor Luke Jensen, who resigned in October, had pushed for the council to consider the broader commission. Asked about his resignation, he said the charter “needs serious reform,” and that his issue was “with the system, not with any people.”
Councilor Lee Clement, who was one of only two incumbents to be reelected last week, previously argued that the “danger” in establishing a commission so soon after revisions are made is a charter commission “could come up with something completely different from what we exist under today, and I think it’s too much confusion for a very short period of time.”
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