Hermiston seeks input on charter revisions
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – The Hermiston Charter Review Committee has gone over the charter with a fine-tooth comb and has several recommended changes. Before it recommends the changes to the Hermiston City Council, it wants to present its findings at a town hall meeting Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Hermiston City Hall.
Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan said some of the changes are just to update language but don’t really change the charter’s intent. One of the larger changes for voters would be city council elections from Hermiston’s four wards.
“Although the person who’s running for election has to live within that ward, currently every body in the entire city votes for all of those ward-based positions,” he said.
The recommended change is to limit those elections exclusively to voters who reside within the specific ward. Morgan added that the wards also need to be redrawn to better reflect as equal as possible a population in each ward.
He urges citizens to attend the town hall and offer input. Those who are unable to attend but wish to comment should email meetings@hermiston.gov. More information is at Hermiston City Charter Review & Community Town Hall | Hermiston, OR.
