Councilman Derrick Thompson is hosting a public forum on the Charter Review Commission ballot initiatives on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. Why is this important, simple? This is potentially a seismic shift in the structure of the city of Mount Vernon’s government. The Charter Review Commission would like Mount Vernon to have a City Manager and an appointed Comptroller, which can change how our city truly operates / functions.
Black Westchester is urging that all Mount Vernon residents share this with their family and friends, so they can come and get the information needed and ask questions to make an informed decision when voting. Far too often, the residents do not get the information until it is too late. We feel the residents’ voices need to be heard and again encourage public engagement and urge all to attend, listen, take notes, and ask questions so you can make an informed decision at the ballot box.
In November 2025, Mount Vernon, NY, residents may be asked to vote on proposed charter revisions. The main change is whether to switch from a strong mayor system to a city manager system. Additionally, voters will decide if the comptroller position should be held by a finance professional with CPA experience. A third proposal to replace the at-large City Council with a ward system was rejected. The two ballot questions were authorized on June 4 by the Mount Vernon Charter Revision Commission.
“In my view, the city is not professionally run,” said Commission Chair Tamala Boyd, an attorney with experience in municipal governance who moved to the city in 2023. “The complaints we heard from many residents involved how they engaged with the city, and most of the problems had to do with city operations, not policy. Why does it take a year to get a building permit? And the operations are getting annihilated by politics.”
The 15-member Charter Revision Commission, with 11 women and 4 men, passed the ballot question for the city manager form of government by a single vote, 8-7. The professional comptroller question was passed by 7-5, with two members abstaining. The ward system proposal failed 6-8. After the votes were tallied, those who voted against the ballot measures proposed holding a second vote on them once the ballot language is completed. What the residents may or may not know is that the Charter Revision Commission will be voting to put it on the ballot next Wednesday on July 16th. But it is important for all residents to come out on Thursday, July 10th at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers; this will be your last chance to be heard before the CRC votes to put it on the ballot in November.
So, What Are The Proposed Charter Revisions?
- Strong Mayor vs. City Manager: The first ballot question will determine if Mount Vernon transitions from a strong mayor system, where the elected mayor runs the city and appoints all the commissioners, to a city manager system, where a professional manager handles city operations.
- Comptroller Qualifications: The second question will address whether the city comptroller should be a certified public accountant with municipal finance experience.
- Ward System (Rejected): A proposal to replace the at-large City Council with a ward system was not authorized for the ballot.
A Charter Revision Commission was established to review and propose changes to the city’s charter. The commission’s goal is to improve the city’s structure and responsiveness to residents’ needs, focusing on city operations rather than just policy. The commission finalized its proposals and submitted them to the voters for approval. The changes aim to address issues like slow building permit processing and the perceived negative impact of politics on city operations, according to the commission chair.
I will end this as I started for anyone who missed it. Councilman Derrick Thompson is hosting a public forum on the Charter Review Commission ballot initiatives on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. Why is this important, simple? This is potentially a seismic shift in the structure of the city of Mount Vernon’s government. The Charter Review Commission would like Mount Vernon to have a City Manager and an appointed Comptroller, which can change how our city truly operates / functions.
Black Westchester is not advocating for one form of government over another but simply informing you, the residents, to come out, find out what’s being proposed, and make your voices heard. Many things go through because the public is often unaware and uninformed. If you do not like the way the city is run, the problem may not be the form of government but the candidates you vote for. Either way, you, the residents, play a big part in the state of the city. Politics is a participatory sport; you must play your part, or you can not complain when things are not going the way you want.
We can continue to complain or come out and let your voice be heard and hear what the charter revision is all about, so you know which way to vote in November!!! And that’s Real Talk!!!
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