Edgewater Councilmember John Beltrone
From Edgewater City Councilmember John Beltrone:
Another election brings another crowded ballot for Coloradans. However, this year only one ballot question (2A) comes from the City of Edgewater and reads:
As more particularly set forth in Ordinance No. 2020-16 of the City of Edgewater, shall the 2008 City of Edgewater Home Rule Charter be amended at subsection 10.7(3) to authorize the City Council to, by Ordinance, consolidate but not abolish City Departments currently established by the Charter?
What does this mean? When our Municipal Charter was revised in 2008, it restricted the city from consolidating or abolishing the Police, Public Works, Finance, and Parks and Recreation departments. It also required each department have its own Director reporting to the City Manager. This ballot measure asks if the City can combine but not abolish these Departments and Directors.
Why is a change needed? The original request for this ballot measure came from city staff. Dan Maples, who was promoted to City Manager last year, is looking for more flexibility to structure departments and staff. Passage of the ballot measure would allow the City Manager to propose a different department and organizational structure in 2021 and allows for changes in the future. Any changes would still need approval from the City Council through the passage of an Ordinance at two public meetings.
Who supports this change? Many community leaders including City Council and the Mayor have expressed support for this change. City Council unanimously passed Resolution 2020-19 on September 15 which provides three reasons to support the ballot question:
- Consolidating City departments would allow the City to make the most efficient use of its human resources without diminishing the services and functions being provided by a given department of the City.
- Consolidating certain City departments will likely increase the level of communication and cooperation between related departments.
- Consolidating City departments will allow the City to better respond to changing times and changing needs of the community.
In summary, this measure empowers the City Manager to run the City more efficiently while maintaining the requirement for services residents in Edgewater expect. Please join me in voting Yes on Ballot Question 2A.
Other Election Information: You can view a list of all races and candidates on the Sample Ballot and research the 11 statewide ballot measures in the Blue Book. Remember to vote by Election Day on November 3 and note that the ballot drop box at the Civic Center is now open. If you have any questions about 2A or the election, please feel free to reach out to me.
Contact Councilmember John Beltrone at jbeltrone@edgewaterco.com or 720-643-6077.
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
Thanks for this info John.