Public hearing held to discuss change in Kennett government

KENNETT, Mo. -- A group of city officials and concerned citizens met Monday night on the Southeast Missouri State University campus in Kennett to discuss the possibility of moving to a council/city manager form of government.

Two political-science professors, Dr. Rick Althaus and Dr. Jeremy Walling, who both teach public administration at Southeast and attended the meeting, will study the issue at the request of the Kennett City Council.

The professors offered a few comments during the session, but primarily listened to those in attendance as they shared their concerns about the current city government. Concerns centered on the need for city business to be run more efficiently, given its growing size.

"The city is a large business and needs to be treated as such," Councilman Bill Palmer said.

The city currently has a mayor/council form of government, which provides for the employment of a city administrator. The administrator position has been vacant for some time.

There will be two steps if a change is to occur. The first step will require a petition signed by voters equal to 25 percent of the ballots cast in the last gubernatorial election. If enough signatures are acquired, the question would then be placed before Kennett voters to decide the issue.

If a change is approved, the council would eventually downsize. The number of wards would not change, but there would be only one representative from each ward instead of two. Two at-large council members also would be elected. The mayor would be a member of the city council. The role would be ceremonial with no administrative authority.

There was consensus during the meeting that education is vital if this issue is to push forward. Particularly, that a city manager is not a city administrator.

Two primary differences were mentioned. City managers are regulated by Missouri state statute, while administrators are directed by a city ordinance. Additionally, a city manager would have the primary executive responsibilities in the city while the administrator does not. Many in attendance also noted the importance of citizens to realize that policy would still be determined by the city council.

John Robertson, community bank president, Southern Bank, asked the city council recently to approve the study.

"They have no agenda and want what is best for Kennett," he said.

After beginning to attend council meetings, Robertson said he realized a change was necessary.

"While not dead, Kennett's growth is flat, and there is a need for forward progress," he said. "There are too many hoops to jump normally to get things done."

Robertson believes a city manager would change that, making government much more efficient. He asked the two professors not to straddle the fence when making their report to the council, urging them to "tell us if this is a good idea or not."

Walling said he was extremely pleased with both the turn out and level of participation in the meeting.

"Usually large groups can stifle good discussion and participation, but that wasn't the case at all," he said. "This kind of transition is no small undertaking, but with support from both community leaders and ordinary citizens, it is totally manageable."

Althaus also applauded those in attendance, saying he appreciated the candor and suggestions made during the meeting. He was not sure when the study would be completed, but he hoped to have a draft completed soon "to allow the discussion to continue."

Pertinent address:

Kennett, Mo.