Published: March 20, 2008 06:12 pm            

Claybar proposes council additions

By Debby Schamber

The Orange Leader



Orange Mayor Brown Claybar said Wednesday that he proposed the possible addition of two more members to the now five-person city council during a recent meeting.

According to Brown, no action was taken on the item and the topic is merely something to consider in the future.

“The city is large enough and we need additional representation,” Claybar said.

During the 1970s, the population of Orange was up to about 25,000. Over the course of the next 30 years, however, the population dwindled to about 17,000 residents.

With the annexation of Little Cypress in 2007 and more people moving into the city, the population has risen to just under 20,000, Claybar said.

“Expanding the council will allow more participation,” Claybar said.

The addition of council members isn’t expected to happen anytime soon and in no means is a quick decision, the mayor added. Before anything can happen the city charter would have to be changed.

“The city charter is how the city functions,” Claybar explained.

He added that “the only way a city charter can be changed is by ballot.”

When enacted a charter can only be adopted or changed by a majority vote of the city’s residents. So, it would be up to voters to decide if they want more representation or not.

The currently seated city council includes Debra Mitchell, Cynthia Jackson, Jimmie Sims, mayor pro-tem Theresa Beauchamp and Claybar. Claybar said he would like to see a place and an at-large position added to the council. He added that it is a very lengthy process and the council will not look into the additions until September at the earliest — only after the next budget is approved.

Claybar said whether or not he is still part of the city council after the May 10 general election, he still feels the addition of council members is a “good policy.”

        

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