A proposal being presented to the City Council would make two changes to the city ordinances section concerning the reorganization of city departments, including a proposal to add the chief operations officer to the city reorganization plan.
The proposal is introduced by Ald Robert Smedley (R-4), the Council’s Republican leader, who typically introduces proposals from the administration of Mayor Erin Stewart (R).
The proposal concerning the chief operations officer would place that new position in the mayor’s office.
The chief operations officer position was made a part the city charter in 2022, approved under a controversially vague charter referendum question that asked voters, “Shall the remainder of the changes to the city charter, as recommended by the charter revision commission be approved?”
That New Britain charter question raised so much concern about important matters being buried in vague charter referenda that the state legislature has considered legislation to ensure clear questions to voters.
Another proposal under the proposed city reorganization would divide the Health and Building Services Department into separate Health and Building departments.
The new Health Department would include nursing services and health inspections, while other inspections, building, housing and zoning, would be under the new Building Department.
The reorganization section of the ordinances is under a city charter provision that allows the mayor to,
prepare a reorganization plan which provides for the enactment of an Ordinance to alter the organization of any and all of the departments, Boards, Commissions or agencies provided for in this Charter, which plan may provide for the combining or separating of the duties of each
The city charter says that a reorganization plan must be approved by, “A two-thirds (⅔) vote of the entire membership,” of the Council. The charter also requires that a public hearing must be held on reorganization plans.
The proposal is on the agenda of June 25th Council meeting. As an ordinance proposal, it will likely be referred to a Council committee for its public hearing and possible further action.
