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A City Charter revision, first passed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in January and passed by state legislators in a recent session, did not pass in the board’s first regular June meeting.

Plans for revisions first began in July of 2023, and a Charter Revision Committee was formed to review the current charter and make changes. A resolution was passed in January of this year, which was then submitted to state legislators.

While discussing the charter revisions in their meeting, the main concern brought up was of the change of municipal elections from August to November, since the letter signed by Gov. Bill Lee specified the ratification date as July 1, 2024.

Mayor Ray Knowis, who had voted against the revisions in January, stated he would do so again, as he stood by his previous vote.

Alderman Jenna Amacher, while saying she worked hard with the rest of the board for the revisions, expressed the concern about the ratification date, as it would interfere with those who had already qualified to run for this year’s municipal vacancies, and force them to have to requalify. She asked City Attorney Stephen Worsham if the board could legally change the ratification date, but Worsham told her they must comply with what the Governor’s letter stipulated.

Aldermen Derick Mann and Daniel Berry both argued that despite that one issue, there were many good things about the charter revision that made it worth passing.

After discussion, the charter update was put to a vote, with Knowis reminding the board that it must have at least five votes to pass.

The vote failed with Knowis, Amacher, Alderman Bobbie Wilson and Alderman Kurt Glick voting against it, and Mann, Berry and Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Mathis voting in favor.