Jefferson City Charter changes on ballot

In addition to one Jefferson City Council race, voters will be asked to approve three changes to the city charter April 3.

The ballot will present a provision to change the charter to state that a primary election would be held only if three or more candidates had filed for the same office. Drew Hilpert, interim city counselor, has said that's a practice the city has followed for several years, apparently unaware the city charter dictated a primary should be held if two or more candidates file for the same office.

The other provisions voters will see April 3 would remove the council from the process of hiring and firing employees below department directors and remove the need for council approval on hiring or firing employees in the police department, except the police chief.

The only contested race on the ballot April 3 is for the 5th Ward council seat, which has four candidates running.

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