How to Make a City Charter
Creating a city charter is probably the most important first step taken by the citizens of a newly incorporated community. A charter functions for city government in much the same manner as the Constitution functions for national government. Writing a city charter is a once in a lifetime experience which will affect the lives of your friends and neighbors for many years to come.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Obtain a boilerplate document to serve as a working draft. This draft will not only provide you with a starting place but will also assist in demonstrating examples of necessary charter provisions which you may not have otherwise been aware. Your state's association of municipal governments should be able to provide you with this draft document. The city charter is a public record so you can request a copy of the city charter from surrounding communities as well.
-
2
Involve the community. State law will likely require a vote of the people to approve the charter. Form a committee of community leaders and hold a series of public hearings to receive input from the citizens. These public hearings will provide the citizens with a sense of ownership which should enhance your ability to win their votes at the polls.
-
-
3
Research the effectiveness of charter provisions in other towns. For example, if you are considering placing a provision in your charter which calls for the city-wide election of all city councilmen then you should visit a community where they have that same provision already in effect. Review old newspapers and talk to the community leaders from that community. Document the pros and cons of this type of electoral system. You stand to greatly benefit by taking the time to learn from the successes and mistakes of other communities.
-
4
Strike a balance between the rights of the citizens and the ability of the city to function without voter approval. For instance, while it may be wise to require that city government win approval of the voters for a tax increase; it may unnecessarily handicap city government if they are required to ask for a vote of the people in order to give raises to city employees. It is important to carefully balance the scales between citizen oversight and efficient governance.
-
5
Clearly document the reasons for each charter provision based on your research and the citizens' input. This documentation will allow you to demonstrate that the charter was developed in a well-thought-out and reasonable manner. Publish this documentation on the web where the voters can make an informed decision prior to election day.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Don't feel bad if the voters reject your draft. View a rejection as an opportunity to fine-tune the document in order to address their concerns. Remember, this Charter will likely function as the city's governing document in perpetuity, so it is important to get it right.
