We, the undersigned, support Senate Bill 469 because it encourages transparency, ethics, accountability, and effectiveness for the City of Stonecrest. SB 469 accomplishes the following:

• Changes the city's form of government and distributes power more evenly between the Mayor and Council.
• Removes the Mayor as a voting member of City Council.
• Clarifies confusing and contradictory language in the charter.

It is crucial that we put in place these checks and balances so the City can focus on service delivery. SB 469 allows the City Council to set policy, designates a professional City Manager to oversee operations, and makes the Mayor the city's ceremonial representative, as the charter intended. SB 469 also makes the City Manager and City Attorney accountable to City Council, not just to the Mayor. It also allows City Council to have equal say in appointing boards, authorities, commissions, and committees, which they do not currently have.

Local governments run by a professional city manager have 57% fewer corruption convictions than strong mayor governments. Cities run by professional managers are also shown to be at least 10% more financially efficient than strong mayor governments.

We support a City that is driven by professionalism, ethics, and service rather than narrow politics. Please adopt SB 469 to protect the future of Stonecrest for all of its citizens.