When Whitefish voters get their ballots in the mail this week, they will notice two proposed changes to the city’s charter.

One asks voters if they would be willing to amend the charter to create the position of ombudsperson or citizen advocate. The other asks to amend the requirement that the city manager attend city Planning Board meetings.

The two issues were placed on the ballot by the Whitefish Government Study Commission, which spent several months this year studying the city’s government. The study commission is made up of chairman Ken Williams, Turner Askew and Rebecca Norton. Vanice Woodbeck, assistant city clerk, serves as the ex-officio member.

The major change would be to add an ombudsperson.

Norton said the citizen advocate would provide a voice for the public.

“A lot of people don’t feel comfortable speaking in front of council,” she said. “A lot of people are less inclined to get involved because of that.”

Williams said the ombudsperson is a common position in other places.

“They work with groups or individuals who have concerns they want to bring to the attention of council,” he said. “They can answer questions or resolve issues.”

The commission envisions the position as part-time, answerable to the City Council and empowered to conduct independent investigations and work to resolve issues of government.

City Manager Chuck Stearns estimates the cost of employing an ombudsperson at about $85,000 per year including salary, benefits and other expenses.

In a letter to the Whitefish Pilot, Stearns said if the position is volunteer then he is neutral about it, but if it is a paid position, he would oppose it.

“I think an ombudsperson is unnecessary because being an advocate for the citizens is properly the role of the elected officials,” he wrote. “The basis of a representative democracy is that the elected officials represent their constituents and constituent service is traditionally the role of the elected officials. Let’s not do anything more to separate the voters from their elected officials.”

He said if the city is spending that $85,000 per year, he would rather see that position added to the police or fire departments.

The second proposed change to the city’s charter is considered a housekeeping item. The commission points out that since the city’s charter was adopted, the city has grown and the charter doesn’t reflect the way the city administration needs to address current demand.

If approved, the change would delete the requirement that the city administrator or city manager attend planning board meetings.

According to state law, the purpose of the study commission is to allow citizens to evaluate their governments and decide whether changes are needed. The commission has the ability to examine several aspects of local government, including its form and powers, its structure and how well it provides essential services.