Charter reviewers question council power to compel documents, penalties under Section 3.16

At a meeting of the Anna Charter Review Commission, commissioners questioned Section 3.16 of the city charter, which says the City Council may administer oaths, compel “the production of books, papers and other evidence material to the inquiry” and by ordinance impose penalties for contempt.

Commissioners said the language is broad and asked what checks exist to limit the council’s authority to demand records from city employees. "Where does checks and balances as to what defines that material to their inquiry?" one commissioner asked, adding that the sentence allowing contempt penalties “seems like that's an overarching power.”

City At…