The Mountain View Town Council held their meeting remotely on Monday, January 12, 2026. The meeting was held remotely due to current technical issues with both hybrid and in-person meetings. The meeting included votes on governance and administrative authority. Therefore a summary of those decisions is provided below.
Potential Ballot Question on Town Government Structure
Under General Business, there were six discussion topics scheduled. One of them was discussion of a ballot question to the voters to consider a governance change for the Town of Mountain View.
During this discussion item, Council voted unanimously to direct staff to again bring forward a ballot question to ask the voters if they want to change the Town’s form of government from a council-mayor form of government system to a council-manager system. Under the current Charter, the Mayor serves as the Town’s chief executive. Under a council-manager form of government, a salaried manager serves as the chief executive. This same question was asked of the voters in the November 2024 election and the voters turned it down, 173 to 128. Council Member Debner stated in the recent meeting, “I think sometimes you have to ask twice.”
Appointment of Town Administrator
Another discussion item was consideration of the potential appointment of a Town Administrator. Mayor Mitcham disclosed a conflict of interest regarding the discussion since, per a prior ordinance passed on second reading in September 2025, hiring a Town Administrator would have the effect of reducing the Mayor’s salary from $78,000 annually with no benefits to $39,000 annually with no benefits. She pointed out that simultaneously, the code required her advice and input on the appointment of a Town Administrator, regardless of the conflict of interest. She proposed a solution to Council that she be allowed to provide advice and input initially, and then recuse herself from the remainder of the discussion. Council allowed her to provide up to three minutes of input. After her input, Mayor Mitcham recused herself from the discussion and Council considered the pros and cons of an appointment of a Town Administrator.
Council Member Bailey then made a motion to appoint Clerk/Treasurer Charity Campfield as Town Administrator, effective immediately.
Proposed Changes to Administrative Authority
As part of the same motion to appoint the Administrator, Council Member Bailey asked the Council to direct the Town Attorney and Clerk to work on an employment agreement and a job description for consideratioBy Council. The motion directed the agreement to follow substantially the same terms as the prior Town Administrator’s terms which, according to the record, included an annual salary of $138,000, a monthly car allowance of $400, and a severance packet of up to six months’ base salary under specific conditions.
Council approved this motion 5 to 1, with Council Member Loecher dissenting.
Subsequently, Council Member Bailey made another motion directing the Town Attorney to prepare proposed amendments to the Town Code to ensure all administrative functions and duties, to the maximum extent permissible by the Charter, be fulfilled by the Town Administrator and ensure that the Administrator directly reports to the Council.
Council again approved this motion 5 to 1, with Council Member Loecher dissenting.
Mountain View Code and Character (MVCC) Project Timeline
Council requested a revised schedule to come back to the January 26 special meeting with the workshops for this work occurring on regular workshop dates (generally, the first Monday of the month) and starting at 6:30 p.m. instead of the previously scheduled dates and times.
Neighborhood Gazette Discussion
Council discussed whether to continue publishing community news and content in the Neighborhood Gazette. Council directed that publication be paused while alternative communication strategies and options are evaluated. Council also stated that no additional mayoral editorial content should be submitted for the already committed February issue.
The complete meeting recording, including discussion and public comment, is available on the Town’s website, at https://www.tomv.org/town-clerk/meeting/town-council-regular-meeting-6 and a QR code is provided here.
