LANSING — Lansing residents said yes on Nov. 4 to a new city charter that's intended to bring more transparency and accountability to how city business gets done.

About 66% of the voters gave an affirmative response to a simple question - Shall the Charter proposed by the Lansing Charter Commission be adopted? The revisions mean big changes for city government , including a fifth ward, requiring the mayor to write a three-year strategic plan, a new tax and debt dashboard for residents, the appointment of an independent auditor and two public hearings when the Lansing Board of Water & Light rate increases are considered.

The new charter would take effect in January, although some changes might not occur for some time.

"We listened," commission Chair Brian Jeffries said. "The purpose wa

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