Council’s Structural Evolution

In January 1996, the City of Reading made the transition from the Commission Form of Government

to a Strong Mayor/Council form of the Home Rule Charter. The new form of Government was approved by voter referendum on November 7, 1993.

Under the Home Rule Charter, the City of Reading is divided into six districts, with each district electing one Council member. District-elected Council members are to represent the voice of their constituents and are to act as a body to make decisions in the best interest of the entire City. The President of Council is elected at-large. The President of Council is the presiding officer of Council and has the same voting powers as the other six Council members. The President interacts with the Mayor and other governmental entities and represents the voice of Council.

When the Home Rule form of government began in 1996, Council received administrative support from the City Clerk's Office. In addition to general administrative support the City Clerk assisted Council with the drafting of legislation, legal research, and public relations. After evaluating the needs of the seven member Council and the staffing of other Council offices, Council moved to add the functions of policy making to the administrative duties of the City Clerk and moved to add 2 additional employees to the staff.

In 1998, City Council has elected to use the Committee structure. The Administrative Code provides for six Council Committees. Council currently operates with four committees ... Finance, Public Works, Public Safety, and Administrative Oversight. The committee setting allows members to more closely explore City issues and successfully work towards mutual goals. Each Committee meets on a Monday, one time per month. Committees may also meet more frequently when necessary. Three Council members serve on each committee. The President of Council is an ad hoc member. These Committee meetings are advertised and open to the public.

Council established the Charter Review Commission (CRC) in November of 2001, a group of 12 to review the Charter and make recommendations on amendments to the Charter. The City of Reading Home Rule Charter mandates that the CRC report to Council and the Mayor within 6 months of their formation. This group returned a report suggesting two amendments. The first amendment proposed changing the Strong Mayor/Part-Time Council government structure with a Manager/Council structure. The second amendment proposed the creation of a Transition Committee and a Charter Review Board that would assist the Administration and Council with interpretations on gray areas of the Charter. The amendments went on the General Election Ballot in November 2002. Only the second amendment was approved by the voters.