TRAVERSE CITY -- On Nov. 4, voters approved two of three proposals put forth by the city focused on improvements to infrastructure and city leadership.

Voters in the City of Traverse City saw three proposed charter amendments on the ballot. Each measure concerned changes to how city funds are managed or how ethical standards are applied within city government.

Proposal 1, involving the Brown Bridge Trust Fund for park improvements, was approved by 3,482 'yes' votes to 1,415 'no' votes.

Proposal 1 would allow the City Commission, for a period of five years, to move up to $3 million from the Brown Bridge Trust Fund principal into a separate trust fund dedicated to park capital improvements or projects that increase accessibility to city parkland.

Any money not contractually committed to a project within those five years would return to the Brown Bridge Trust Fund.

Currently, the city charter requires voter approval for any use of the Brown Bridge Trust Fund principal.

Proposal 2, involving the Brown Bridge Trust Fund revolving loan, failed by a margin of 2,782 'no' votes to 2,067 'yes' votes.

Proposal 2 would have allowed the City Commission, on the recommendation of the city treasurer, to move up to $5 million of the Brown Bridge Trust Fund principal into a revolving loan fund.

The revolving fund could be used only for interfund loans to other city funds that fall within Traverse City's annual budget.

Under current rules, the principal of the Brown Bridge Trust Fund can only be used if voters approve.

Proposal 3, involving the required ethics ordinance, was approved by a margin of 4,158 'yes' votes to 758 'no' votes.

Proposal 3 will amend the city charter to require an ethics ordinance that applies to all elected and appointed officers, employees, and volunteers of the City of Traverse City.

The proposed change would require the city to create a formal code of ethics governing conduct and accountability across all levels of city service.