RESOLUTION NO.

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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAYLOR, WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN, PROPOSING ABANDONMENT OF THE PRESENT MAYOR - COUNCIL FORM OF GOVERNMENT ON NOVEMBER 6, 2013 AND THAT THE CITY BE GOVERNED UNDER THE COUNCIL - MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT MOVING FORWARD

WHEREAS, numerous citizens have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Mayor Council form of government and seek professional management that reports to the City Council; and WHEREAS, the Council - Manager form of government is used by more cities, villages, townships, and counties than any other form. It is a system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a governing body; and WHEREAS, local governments have found that overall costs actually have been reduced with competent management. Savings come in the form of reduced operating costs, increased efficiency and productivity, improved revenue collections, or effective use of technology; and WHEREAS, in Council - Manager form of government, the mayor and the governing body and council members are the leaders and policy makers elected to represent the community. They focus on policy issues that are responsive to citizens' needs and wishes. The manager is appointed by the governing body to carry out policy and ensure that the entire community is being served. If the manager is not responsive to the governing body's wishes, the governing body has the authority to terminate the manager at a time; and WHEREAS, the Council - Manager form of government encourages neighborhood input into the political process, diffuses the power of special interests, and eliminates partisan politics from municipal decisions; and WHEREAS, the Council - Manager form of government, involvement of the entire elected body ensures a more balanced approach to community decision making, so that all interests can be expressed and heard not just those that are well funded; and WHEREAS, under the Council - Manager form of government, qualifications and performance and not skillful navigation of the political election process are the criteria the elected body uses to select a professional manager. The professional manager, in turn, uses his or her education, experience, and training to select department heads and other

key managers to oversee the efficient delivery of services. In this way, Council - Manager government maintains critical checks and balances to ensure accountability at city hall; and WHEREAS, Section 2.11 of the Taylor Code of Ordinances provides for Amendments to the Charter and State Law Act 270 of 1909 Section 117.21 Charter amendment; procedure provides that a change of government form can be proposed and placed on the ballot by resolution for the voters to decide upon a 3/5 vote of the legislature for the government of a city and such amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the city at the next regular municipal or general state election held not less than 60 days after the proposal to the amendment;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAYLOR, MICHIGAN DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1: It is proposed that the present Mayor - Council form of government used by the City of Taylor be abandoned on November 6, 2013. It is further proposed that the City reorganize and adopt the Council - Manager form of government moving forward. Section 2: The proposal for abandonment of the Mayor - Council form of government on November 6, 2013 and adoption of the Council - Manager form of government shall be voted upon at the November 6, 2012 general election.

____________ BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAYLOR, MICHIGAN, AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF, THIS 21ST DAY OF JULY, 2012. Ayes:________________________________________ Nays:________________________________________ CITY OF TAYLOR, MICHIGAN ________________________________________ Attest: ______________________________________________ Cindy Bower, City Clerk Jeff Lamarand, Mayor

BALLOT LANGUAGE

[ ] YES The City of Taylor shall abandon the Mayor - Council form of government on November 6, 2013 and reorganize and adopt the Council - Manager form of government moving forward. As the Council - Manager form of government is used by more cities, villages, townships, and counties than any other form, involves the entire elected body to ensure a more balanced approach to community decision making and encourages neighborhood input into the political process, diffuses the power of special interests, and eliminates partisan politics from municipal decisions. [ ] NO The City of Taylor shall not abandon the Mayor - Council form of government.