By Rita Lord
Northside News

On April 6, voters will be asked to weigh in on changing the structure of the Madison Common Council. The referendum is advisory only. If there is support for the changes, a binding referendum will follow in the 2022 Spring Election. If changes are made, they would take effect in 2023.

The referendum has four questions:

• Should Madison transition from a part-time Common Council (with members who are paid approximately $13,700 per year) to a full time Common Council (with each member earning  between $45,000 to $71,000 per year)?
• There are currently 20 alders on Madison’s part-time Common Council. Should the number of alders be reduced, increased or remain the same?
• Madison alders are currently elected to two-year terms. The Madison mayor is currently elected to four-year terms. Should Madison alders be elected to four-year terms?
• Madison alders are currently not subject to term limits. If the City transitions to a full-time Common Council, should alders be subject to term limits of 12 consecutive years?

Background

Early in 2018, the Common Council established an 11-member Task Force on Government Structure (Task Force) to examine whether changes to city government could help the city work more effectively for all residents. The last time such a review was conducted was in the 1980s.

On Nov. 20, 2019, the Task Force submitted a 113-page report, which found “that the City’s current government structure is an impediment to full participation and representation and, therefore, the City’s structure is fundamentally unfair to a large portion of the City’s population, including, most notably, the City’s residents of color and low income.” 

The report included over 40 recommendations related to the Common Council, mayor’s office and city government. View the full report at tinyurl.com/MadisonTFOGS.

At its Jan. 5, 2021, meeting, the Common Council voted to place the issue of changes to the structure of the Common Council before voters in an advisory referendum. 

Should the proposed changes be adopted?

Supporters say “yes”

The Task Force found that, in its current form, aldermanic districts receive unequal levels of representation based on how much time their alders can devote to city work. While the job is currently considered part time, alders spend a great deal of time on city business, so only those who are retired or have flexible work hours can participate. 

Supporters say changes are needed if the city genuinely wants to pursue racial equity and social justice. Full-time alders would be able to dedicate all their time to the work of the city, and a full-time structure offering a livable wage could encourage people into leadership who may not have been able to participate due to financial, time or other personal considerations.

Supporters also argue that the city’s large number of boards, committees and commissions makes it impossible for part-time alders to stay informed about all that is going on. Full-time Common Council members would be better able to stay informed and relay information to constituents.

Opponents say “no”

Opponents argue that moving to a full-time council could open the door to “professional politicians,” who have the time and contacts needed to campaign and raise funds. They worry such campaigns would attract “big money” and aid the interests of rich and powerful private entities.

In addition, full-time council members would undoubtedly want the city to provide offices and a staff.

Opponents believe reducing the number of aldermanic districts to 10, as the Task Force recommended, will result in fewer avenues for public input because larger districts will dilute representation of individual neighborhoods.

Opponents argue that the goal of racial equity and improved representation for low-income neighborhoods could be accomplished by overhauling how the current Common Council is organized.

Your input is important. Vote April 6.