Charter Review Committee

On January 28, 2025, Mayor Susan Coleman announced the formation of a Charter Review Committee. The Charter Review Committee has been charged with assessing and recommending changes to the Sweet Home Charter. The Charter serves as the foundational legal document that outlines the structure, powers, duties, and organization of the municipality's government. The Committee’s primary function is to review the current Charter to ensure it remains effective, relevant, and in compliance with current laws and community needs. The current Committee has been tasked with reviewing the following, though they may also examine any other aspects of the Charter to propose revisions, updates, or amendments as necessary:

• Mayoral role, term, appointment, etc.
• Councilors' term of office end date
• Reading of Ordinances
• Filling Council vacancies
• Oath of Office
• Management of City Attorney and Municipal Judge
• Quorum definition
• Clarification on the agenda-setting process

The Mayor appointed the following members to serve on the Committee:

• Gary Jarvis (Community Member)
• Melanie Jones (Community Member)
• Kristin Adams (Community Member)
• Mike Reynolds (Community Member)
• Jeff Parker (Community Member)
• President Pro Tem Josh Thorstad (Current Councilor)
• Lisa Gourley (Former Councilor)

The duration of the Committee and the meeting schedule are yet to be determined. Meetings will be open to the public and posted to the City's agenda site.

After completing their review, the Committee will present any recommendations to the City Council. The recommendation will outline an optimal process schedule to minimize election costs to Sweet Home taxpayers. The City Council can then either approve of the recommendations, request changes to them, or not approve of them.