How you can weigh in on possible change to Stockton city information

Aaron Leathley, The Stockton Record
·1 min read

This week, the public will have a chance to weigh in on a possible change to Stockton’s governing document — one that could shift the balance of power in the mayor’s and city manager’s offices when it comes to city information.

A public hearing on the proposed amendment to the Stockton City Charter is scheduled for 1 p.m. on May 2 at city hall, meeting documents show. Members of the public will be able to directly address the city council about the change.

The amendments would entitle current and future mayors and city managers to hire public information officers to communicate on their behalf with news outlets and the broader community, a draft on the city's website suggests.

The amendments don't appear to define which areas of city business the mayor and the city manager would have authority to speak on respectively, the draft suggests.

Currently, the mayor has one public information officer who communicates about mayor's office business.

The city manager has a community relations officer, who is “responsible for providing information to the public on all city services and programs," according to the job description.

Learn more: Stockton mayor, city manager duel over who gets to control releasing public information

It appears the proposed amendment would direct the city manager's public information officer to provide the mayor's public information officer with information, except in "extenuating circumstances." It's unclear what those circumstances might include.

The public hearing will take place in the city council chambers Thursday. Those who can't attend can leave the city clerk comments on the issue at city.clerk@stocktonca.gov. or (209) 937-8459.

Record reporter Aaron Leathley covers government accountability. She can be reached at aleathley@recordnet.com or on Twitter @LeathleyAaron. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton charter change may impact mayor, city manager communications