The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-12-16
COMMISSION Plan
Hitchcock Presents This New
form of City Government for
Possible Adoption Here.

lANOkvv1Ox1 A1OASs
Early during the period of my Off
clal connection with the city admin
lstration 1 gave, in public, an outline
OF the essential elements of the Com
mission Plan.
1t was then urged by a number of
Citizens, that it would be desirable
to petition for a vote upon the propo-
sltlon. 1t seemed wise on my part to
receive some lessons of experience
With the city affairs before taking
part in any agitation leading to an
adoption of this plan.
The present time appears fit for a
rvival of tn subject. There seems
to be a general sentiment that a
change from the present system to
the Commission Plan calls for a radi-
cal departure from the existing policy
In one sense, the new order would be
radically different, while as to gen
eral laws and ordinances there would
be small change. The school board
of our city passed into a Commission
Plan and little was said about it. A
few years ago the school board con-
sisted of two members elected from
eacn word and one member elected
by the entire city-forming a board
of nine members. By provision of
state law this was changed to a board
of five members elected at large by
the voters of the city,-the term of
office being three years. Each year
for two years in succession two men,
bers are elected. The third year one
member is elected. The two essen
tial features of the new plan are,-
LIST, reducing the number of the board
to five members; End, election of the
members at large in the city. The
Commission Plan for city affairs calls
for a similar change. Under the pres
ent law, the council consists Of the
mayor, elected at large. and two
alderman elected from each ward, the
terms Of Office being two years.
The Commission Plan forms a
Board Of Commissioners Of five men,
bers, the mayor and four commission
ers. The term of office is five years,
n being elected each year at large
by the voters of the whole city. Thus
appears the same principal features
as in the change of school board, re-
ducing the council from nine men,
whole city instead of by separate
wards.
Under the Commission Plan the
same ordinances continue in force
and practically the same powers are
granted by state law to the Board of
Commissioners as to the present city
council. There are a few more re-
strictions as to expenditures Of public
funds by the Commissioners than are
now in force. Certainly this is whole
some. The mayor now receives $50,
tae aldermen $25 per annum. Under
tbe Commission, the mayor and each
commissioner. according to present
population, would receive 1926 per
annum.
Under present law. the mayor ap-
points and the council confirms var
ious officers. Under the Commission,
the board appoints the officers not
elective. the mayor having no ap-
pointive power except in certain en-
e%rgencies, and no veto. Under the
Commission, the board appoints one
member as "Police and Fire Commits
sioner," one member as Commission
er of Streets and Public Property
one member as water Works and
Sewer Commissioner" one member
as Commissioner of Finance and
Revenue" these various members
getting as executive committees to
take charge of the work assigned.
If the mayor or any commissioner
under the new plan fails to perform
bis duty or becomes Objectionable,
he is subject to the Recall. that is,
by petition, an election is held to vote
upon replacing the offending official
by a more worthy citizen.
Under the present plan the council
holds regular meetings once a month;
under Commission the regular meet
ings occur once each week, special
meetings being held as often as de-
sired.
The advantages apparent under
the Commission are:
First. More responsibility upon
each oficer and less opportunity to
shift the duties.
Second. Longer term of Office and a
small compensation.
Third. A quorum easily obtained
to transact business at meetings Of
the board.