Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Charter Repeal topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Charter repeal removed from consideration; commission strikes utility tax from topic list
Summary
After legal guidance that the Charter Review Commission lacks authority to repeal the county charter, the commission removed repeal from its agenda and voted to remove the county's utility tax from the topic list, noting the tax generates roughly $4 million annually in unincorporated areas.
The Clay County Charter Review Commission voted to remove discussion of repealing the county charter after legal counsel advised the commission it lacks jurisdiction to repeal the charter directly. Counsel explained that repeal would require action beyond the CRC's authority, noting mechanisms such as a citizen-driven ballot initiative or legislative action.
Following counsel's summary, a commissioner moved to remove the repeal item from the topic list; the motion passed. The chair thanked counsel for the research that informed the decision.
Commissioners then discussed the county's municipal utility tax, a provision unique to charter counties that was cited earlier in the meeting as generating about $4 million per year in revenue for the county. One commissioner said the utility tax was linked to concerns about the charter's scope and moved to remove the utility tax from the CRC's topic list. The commission approved that motion.
Both votes were procedural: they remove items from the commission's list of topics for further CRC consideration but do not change county policy or law. The commission's action narrows the CRC's remaining agenda as members prepare ballot language and public hearing schedules on compensation-related amendments.
