04/12/2007 (3) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Draft does not reflect any substantive changes from the previous version and there were no significant changes (in the current draft) as to how the Legislative body or the County Administrator operates. The Discussion Draft establishes a Commissioner/Administrator form of government where the Commission Legislative body is responsible for setting Legislative Policy and the Administrator is responsible for the implementation of that policy, and there is a separation of power between the two branches of government. Mr. Spitzer then reviewed changes to the Legislative Branch (County Commission) regarding meetings and powers of the Board. He also reviewed changes to Articles III and IV (Administrative Branch and Departments), which provide that general law and policy set in the Administrative Code will control, and there was also a non-interference clause, which attempts to prohibit commissioners from giving direct instructions to employees. Other revisions pertained to the County Attorney's reporting responsibility, and there were no changes to Constitutional Officers positions or authorities. There were changes in terms of county/city relations regarding prevailing ordinance. Mr. Spitzer explained that under the Initiative Process citizens are authorized to propose ordinances by a petition process, which requires signatures equal to 8% of the registered voters. Citizens' ordinances will be limited by a "single -subject" rule and certain subject matters are prohibited. He advised that Proposed Charter Amendments may be by a Special Act of the Legislative Delegation, and the three most common ways an amendment to an existing Charter is proposed is by an Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners, by Petition process (requiring signatures equal to 12% of the electorate in each of the five Commission districts) or a Charter Review Commission (CRC). April 12, 2007 9am 3 Charter Government Workshop