The feasibility of adopting a charter form of government surfaced at the final scheduled debate involving the six council candidates.

The question was asked last Friday during the Fountain Hills Group Marketing Session.

It was the eighth forum for the six candidates: Lena Bellenir, Dennis Contino, Cassie Hansen, Kathie Kelly, incumbent Keith McMahan and Mike Tyler.

 Voters will elect three council representatives for four-year terms and a mayor on March 11.

Candidates repeated their views on submitted questions about property tax, creating a business-friendly town, downtown development and restrictions on signage. Other audiences had asked their views on the same issues. It was the first time during the campaign that the issue of charter government was raised, said McMahan.

He recalled that in 1997 voters rejected a referendum on incorporating the town to become a city.

Before establishing a charter, a municipality must be a city. When Fountain Hills incorporated in 1989, it incorporated as a town.

Whatever form of government selected, Bellenir said the mayor and council should retain power, and not the town manager.

“The passion to serve comes from the heart,” said Bellenir. “People have to want to take on the duties.”

She said the present arrangement for town elected officials is a part-time job with full-time responsibility.

Under a charter form of government, residents would have more voice in government while some power would be taken away from the council, said Contino.

“I don’t think most people in this room know how much power the council has,” said Contino.

Hansen said the town would first have to become a city before a charter form of government could be adopted. The connotation of being a town creates a more hometown environment, she said.

The town could ask the state legislature for special permission to draft a charter, said Hansen. A charter could be written that the council could not increase taxes without voter approval.

The  issue is a “double-edged sword”, said Kelly, with government formats having pluses and minuses. She said she wondered if the town is ready to become a city.

McMahan said a charter government is a good idea and could be explored for a period of years. McMahan said he would support an exploratory process.

Pros and cons exist in both instances, said Tyler. Professionalism and accountability would be the two factors that a charter government might insure. He said the town isn’t ready to make the move now.