By a vote of 6 to 1, the Mitchell City Council rejected Mayor Jordan Hanson’s plan to modify the method of electing council officers in the event of a tie.
A coin-flip is currently the tie-breaking method.
Councilor Marty Barington spoke in opposition of Hanson’s proposal. “I personally think the coin flip that we had in place is just fine. I don’t think there’s another way to get it because if you do the current president, it might be Mr. McCardle himself. Obviously the choice would be there, so I’m currently in favor of the rule that we had in place and I won’t be supporting this.”
Hanson defended his proposal. “There is a tie to become Council President and the City Council is unable to make that decision. I believe that the Mayor should have that decision just like all other ties, not all other ties, but other ordinance ties can be broken by the Mayor’s vote. If the Council cannot make a decision, the Mayor should have the option and the opportunity to choose who would best accurately and fairly represent them both in public and private when the Mayor is gone.”
Councilor Mike Bathke voted “yes”, while Councilors Barington, Doescher, McCardle, Sabers, Goldammer and Smith voted “no.” Councilor Susan Tjarks was absent. The coin-flip remains the tie-breaker.