On January 28, 2025, Mayor Susan Coleman announced the formation of a Charter Review Committee. The Charter Review Committee was charged with assessing and recommending changes to the Sweet Home Charter. The Charter serves as the foundational legal document that outlines the structure, powers, duties, and organization of the municipality's government. The Committee’s primary function was to review the current Charter to ensure it remains effective, relevant, and in compliance with current laws and community needs. The Committee was tasked with reviewing the following, though they had the opportunity to examine any other aspects of the Charter to propose revisions, updates, or amendments as necessary:
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Mayoral role, term, appointment, etc.
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Councilors' term of office end date
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Reading of Ordinances
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Filling Council vacancies
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Oath of Office
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Management of City Attorney and Municipal Judge
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Quorum definition
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Clarification on the agenda-setting process
The Mayor appointed the following members to serve on the Committee:
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Gary Jarvis (Community Member)
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Angie Yon (Community Member)
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Mike Reynolds (Community Member)
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Jeff Parker (Community Member)
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President Pro Tem Josh Thorstad (Current Councilor)
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Lisa Gourley (Former Councilor)
Meetings were open to the public and posted to the City's agenda site.
The Committee's final meeting occurred on October 7, 2025. Recommendations were presented to the City Council on October 28, 2025 and multiple work sessions have been held to refine the recommendations. Sweet Home voters elected to adopt the proposed changes in May 2026.
To review the proposed changes, click here.