IRON MOUNTAIN — Voters will be asked in November to adopt a change in Iron Mountain’s charter to end civil service exams for entry-level positions in the police, fire and public works departments, the city council decided Monday.

A ballot measure that would have repealed all of the city’s civil service system was rejected by voters in 2016 — 1,811 no to 1,280 yes — but city officials believe this proposal stands a better chance.

“We hope it’s a good compromise the public will see,” City Manager Jordan Stanchina said.

Once the ballot language is cleared through state attorney general’s office, the city will offer a fact sheet.

Under the current hiring system, the list of candidates is limited to those who have taken an exam, Stanchina explained. If a position comes open, candidates may no longer be interested, as there could be a lag of two or three years between tests.

“Too many times, the lists are running short,” Stanchina said.

An exam system seems obsolete when Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards are in place for police hirings, council member Ken Clawson said.

Stanchina said he believes the only other entity in the Upper Peninsula hiring through civil service exams is Kingsford Public Safety Department. The proposed change for Iron Mountain would keep the civil service system in place for promotions and disciplinary hearings, he added.

The council voted 5-0 to move the proposal forward, with members Nathan Zemar and Cathy Tomassoni absent.

At its July 5 meeting, the council plans to consider a second ballot measure for November that would increase council pay to $30 per meeting, up to a maximum of $1,500 per year. The current $10 per meeting at a maximum of $500 per year has been in place since 1985.

The proposal was endorsed 4-1 Monday, but with two members absent that was one vote short of what’s needed to seek a charter change. Clawson was the lone dissenter.

City Attorney Gerry Pirkola clarified the motion could later be reconsidered. To ensure that, Mayor Dale Alessandrini reintroduced the subject and the council voted unanimously to table it.

In other action, the council:

— Formed a committee to work with the Iron Mountain Planning Commission on a potential ordinance change to allow livestock as a seasonal attraction at The Ice Cream Barn, 606 N. Stephenson Ave. The commission has already begun talks, Stanchina noted. Alessandrini and council members Pam Maule and Kyle Blomquist will comprise the committee, with Clawson an alternate. Citing the current animal ordinance, the council June 7 ordered two cows removed from the business but agreed to work toward a special use permit to make them legal. Stanchina has said the earliest the process could wrap up is October.

— Approved a $1,000 donation to Sons of American Legion Squadron 50 for this year’s Independence Day fireworks display, scheduled for dusk Monday, July 4, from Millie Hill. According to Michael Laydon, fireworks chairman, cost of the display and related expenses is estimated at $17,000. Individual donations can be mailed to SAL Fireworks Fund, P.O. Box 1046, Iron Mountain, MI 49801.

(This version deletes an earlier interpretation of Clawson’s opposition to a ballot measure for a council pay increase.

The clarification follows:

During an Iron Mountain City Council discussion June 20 on council compensation, Ken Clawson said, “We are volunteers (as opposed to hired city staff).”

In a June 21 story in The Daily News, it was reported that Clawson has said council members “should be” volunteers, but that was not his statement.

Council members currently may receive $10 per meeting at a maximum of $500 per year, with the mayor receiving an additional $125 per year. Clawson donates his stipend to the police department’s K-9 unit.)