City may pass ballot language this month, vote on charter form of government in April

By Jessica Breger Special to Monett Monthly

The Monett City Council began its regular council meeting on Sept. 11 with a moment of silence marking the 24th anniversary of the attack on the twin towers.

The meeting then proceeded with the honoring of local firefighters. 

City council recognized members of the Battlefield Fire Protection District and Ozark Fire Protection District for the recent help they provided the city of Monett in selecting a new Fire Chief.

Being Mayor Randy Burke’s first time selecting a new fire chief, he explained that the guidance given was crucial in making the selection.

The council recognized Assistant Chief Owens of the Ozark Fire Protection District as well as Chief Anderson and Deputy Chief Reynolds, of the Battlefield Fire Protection District, for their help in the process.

Fire Chief Brandon Pennington joined the mayor for the swearing in of a new full-time Deputy Fire Chief for the city of Monett. 

The mayor pointed out that a deputy fire chief is a significant role because unlike a “vice,” a deputy can speak for their chief. 

Dustin Stellwagen took his oath with his family by his side. Stellwagen took a moment to thank those who helped him get to his new position and his family for their support. 

“I’ve served with the Monett Fire Department for 23 years,” he said. “The way I look at it is it’s like playing for one major league team you whole career. It’s an honor; it’s an honor to serve Monett.”

The council approved an ordinance authorizing the Issuance of a Combined Waterworks and Sewerage System Revenue Bond not to exceed $4,598,936.

This will provide funding for the waste water and sewage upgrades that had been discussed and approved over the past year’s council meetings. 

Big changes may be coming to the way the city government is shaped as the council seeks to discuss transitioning to a “charter” form of government. 

The agenda item was to consider an ordinance directing that the question, “Shall a Commission be Chosen to Frame a Charter? And, the List of Candidates for that Commission be Submitted to the Voters to Provide for the initiation of the process to explore whether Monett should become a constitutional charter city.”

The list of candidates for that commission is to be placed on the ballot for the local election in April of 2026.

Burke said this means the city will operate under it’s own constitution “inside” the state constitution.

He said that a charter style government is afforded to larger cities with a minimum threshold of 5,000 residents, and Monett has twice the population required. 

“I think everyone understands that we need more than three people to effectively represent Monett,” said Burke, noting that even the Monett School Board and city’s planning and zoning commission has more representatives than the city government.

Council members discussed how the new charter government would afford more members on the council more flexibility within the city government and allow more accurate representation for citizens.

Burke emphasized that this was only the first reading to pose the question to the council and community. 

The second reading and an opportunity for community opinion will be held during the Oct. 16 council meeting.

”Should it pass here on the council, this will be on April’s ballot of the municipal election and on that ballot you will choose two things,” he said. “One, do you want us to change the government and do you want us to write our own constitution? The second thing it will do is there will be at least 13 people on that ballot who will write that charter. It’s not something we do, we cannot change our own government here on the council. So, it will be a government chosen by the citizens of Monett not by the council.”

Regular City Council Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Monett School District Board Room, with video available on the city’s website the following day.