STILLWATER, Okla. — Mayor Nathan Bates brought up a suggestion to make changes to the current recall process during the City Council’s study session Monday. Bates argued that there should be some burden of proof for allegations that force a recall election.

“It caused a huge disruption on the city,” said Bates, who survived a recall election last spring by securing four more votes than the ballot question to remove him from office. “I’m worried about the reputation of Stillwater, and I’m also worried about the financial cost to the city.

“As it is right now, anything someone wants to say about someone is a recallable offense,” Bates said.

Any additions to the recall process would require a public vote to amend the City Charter. Currently only Stillwater and Tulsa have a list of grounds for the recall process. City Attorney John Dorman said that the grounds were added in 2007 to avoid a state of perpetual election.

Other councilors did not agree with Bates’ position.

“The citizens have a right to recall any elected official for any means,” said Vice Mayor Chuck Hopkins. “It would appear to me that you would be taking that right away from the public.”

Hopkins said he believes the current process does require cause to be shown.

“I think that as an elected official if someone doesn’t like the way I’m representing them, they don’t need to give a reason,” said Councilor Darrell Dougherty, who filed the petition that led to Bates’ recall election. “They just need to say that we the electing body don’t like the way we’re being represented.”

Dougherty said he thought if anything the process should be made easier for the public by eliminating the pre-petition process.

“Recall is not a criminal procedure, and that was some of the confusion with the last process,” said Dorman.

Dorman explained that the recall process is considered an initiative, which is protected by the state Constitution. It does not have the same requirements as criminal removal from office procedures such as ousting or impeachment.

“Do I think the recall provisions are perfect? I don’t know,” said Councilor John Bartley. “But we have a lot of other things that are of higher priority to me than a recall provision that didn’t take someone out of office.”

Councilor Joe Weaver said he thought bringing the recall issue up now could cause the damage to the city Bates hoped to avoid.

“The city was put through a painful process and I’m thankful we have it behind us,” said Weaver. “I’m not so sure this is the best time to bring this back up and put it back in front of the public.”

The council decided to do nothing about the suggestion.