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City Charter
A city charter is viewed as the city's constitution. Cities and counties update their
charters for a variety of reasons: to clarify lines of authority, to clarify confusing
language, to improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of government, to eliminate
obsolete, conflicting and ambiguous provisions. Because the needs of communities'
change, and State and Federal laws change, it is important that a charter be updated
periodically and reflect the current times. Ashland's city charter was last amended in the
early 1970s.
The city council recently approved a resolution to appoint a charter review committee.
The primary function of the committee is to review the existing charter to determine if it
will adequately serve the community well in to the future. If necessary, the committee is
to prepare a draft charter for the City of Ashland, which will be reviewed by the city
council for placement on the ballot for the voters of Ashland. A charter can only be
amended by a vote of the people.
The nine-member committee, consisting of two former elected officials and seven at
large members is expected to be impartial, non-biased and free of any perceived political
gain and to have some expertise and knowledge of the workings of local government.
The council encourages the committee to seek every opportunity to educate the
community about the process and purpose of a charter review, the importance of a city
charter, to engage the public throughout the process and actively solicit public input.
People interested in serving on the committee are encouraged to contact the office of the
City Recorder at 488-5307 for an application and information packet. The deadline to
apply is May 27.