HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeasure 15-77: Adopt Revised City Charter
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NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
CITY OF ASHLAND
JACKSON COUNTY, OREGON
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, a measure election will be
held by the City of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon, and that such election shall be
conducted by mail pursuant to Oregon law.
The following shall be the ballot title of the measure to be submitted to the city's voters
on this date:
Caption: Adopts Revised Ashland Charter
Question: Shall Ashland replace its current charter with a "model charter" modified to
keep many but not all Ashland-specific provisions?
Statement: The proposed charter updates provisions to be consistent with the Oregon
Constitution, laws and court decisions. Removes references to Parks and City Band tax
levy authority superseded by amendment to the Oregon Constitution. The proposed
charter removes a charter provision that a formation local improvement district may be
suspended with remonstrance from a 2/3 of the owners of land to be specially
assessed. The proposed charter also removes provisions defining the boundaries of
the City; governing election procedures; relating to property tax levy procedures; and
relating to bidding public projects, as these provisions are all governed by state law. In
addition, the proposed charter eliminates specific dollar amounts, such as City
Recorder, Municipal Judge, Mayor, and Council salaries. The proposed charter retains
provisions specific to Ashland, including current language guaranteeing public
ownership of the water rights and water system, provisions that guarantee separate
police and fire departments, and the amendment adopted in November 2006 that
requires voter approval of a real estate transfer tax.
The f wing authorized city official hereby certifies the above ballot title is true and
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Signature of authorized city official Date signed
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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FOR COUNTY VOTERS' PAMPHLET
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NAME OF PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTENT: Mihe rrlSRcll-;-Ashland City Attorney
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This measure revises the Ashland City Charter. In 2004 the Mayor and council established the Charter "Review Committee.
The committee was directed to conduct an independent assessment of the existing charter, last reviewed in 1978, and, if
necessary to draft a new or amended document suitable to "serve the community well into the future".
NAME OF ORGANIZATION PERSON REPRESENTS, IF ANY: City of Ashland
BALLOT TITLE CAPTION: Adopts Revised Ashland Charter
MEASURE NUMBER:
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This revised city charter is based on the Oregon Model Charter, which was developed by the League of Oregon Cities. The
model charter clearly identifies the authority and accountability of the City and reflects current state law. Under this revised
charter, the city retains legislative home rule constitutional power as in the existing charter.
The revised City Charter retains the portions of the current charter that preserve the specific history and character of
Ashland. For example, the charter that would be adopted by this measure continues the independent election of a Parks and
Recreation Commission, City Recorder and Municipal Judge. The charter preserves the City Band, retains language
requiring public ownership of city water, maintains separate fire and police departments, and includes the hospitaL
cemeteries and the airport. The revised charter also includes the measure passed by voters in November 2006 requiring a
vote of the people before a property transfer tax can be imposed.
This measure does not change the form of government. The Charter Review Committee recommended that the City change
from a Mayor/Council form of government to a Council/City Manager form. The change in the form of government is
presented as a separate ballot measure.
This measure eliminates funding requirements from the charter. The current charter mandates certain funding levels of the
city band and for parks and recreation. The current charter also contains a formula that sets the salaries for the elected
judge and recorder. In addition, it removes reference to the Mayor salary of $500 per year and the council salary of $350 per
year.
If this measure passes, the spending and salary levels will become a part of the City's annual budget process.
The revised charter also eliminates language that is in conflict with the Oregon Constitution, law, or court rulings. For
example, it eliminates tax levy references within the charter, such as levy authority for the Parks Department and the City
Band, that have become obsolete due to voter initiated changes in Article XI, Section 11 of the Oregon Constitution. In
another case, the revised charter no longer contains a reference to the City's boundaries because those are now set
according to state law.
The last major change is that the revised Charter contains a new provision that requires the City to appoint a committee to
formally review the Charter every ten years.
WORD COUNT TOTAL: 444
THE TOTAL WORD COUNT CANNOT EXCEED 500 WORDS.
ESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
0-15-07
DATE