Lehi City Council members on Tuesday created a committee of residents to study possible new forms of government for the city.

Councilman Johnny Barnes opened the meeting saying that contrary to media reports, the desire to look at alternate forms has nothing to do with a dispute over the mayor's refusal to reappoint some city staffers.

"It has always been at the back of our mind," Barnes said, noting the city believes now is the time to explore the idea because of population growth.

"Look around and keep an open mind and see what would be best for the city and the best opportunity to represent the people," he told committee members.

Each member of the City Council chose two members of the 12-person committee, Mayor Howard Johnson said. The committee will report its findings to the city in about eight weeks, first in a work session "and when we know you've got it all together, we'll present it to the public," Johnson said.

Committee members should study all the forms of government allowed by state law and then study how those are used in cities around the state "and come back and tell us what you think we ought to do," he said.

The findings of the committee "are going to affect the community," said Councilman Steve Holbrook. "It is a direction that we may go for many years."

The committee should recommend whether the city should keep its existing strong-mayor form of government, whether City Council members should vote on a weak-mayor form of government, or whether residents should vote on a weak-mayor form of government, or the committee may come up with a new recommendation, said Councilman Johnny Revill.

"I don't want to discuss this further but I think one thing you should do is interview each one of the Council and myself," said Johnson.

When one committee member asked whether city staff would be available for their help, the mayor asked committee members to work autonomously.

"I think you folks need to do that so you are the expert and you aren't just hearing what someone else may have to say about it," he said.

Caleb Warnock can be reached at 443-3263 or cwarnock@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D3.