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Commissioners debate charter change that could shift finance powers; county attorney says referendum likely required
Summary
The committee debated proposed charter language giving the governing authority power to change departmental responsibilities by resolution; the county attorney said changes that alter the balance of power generally require a voter referendum, prompting discussion about timing and election costs.
Committee members resumed the charter‑review redline, focusing on proposed language in Section 21 (Department of Finance) that would allow the governing authority to change departmental responsibilities by resolution.
Several commissioners raised concerns that the added language would alter the balance of power between the CEO and the commission. One commissioner asked whether a legislative change to the charter that shifts the balance of power would require a voter referendum; County Attorney Phillips replied, “Yes. As a general matter, that's true, commission.” Commissioners discussed the practical implications — including that a referendum would likely require a countywide election and associated costs — and asked staff to identify which proposed edits would trigger a referendum so the board can decide whether to proceed and, if so, whether to bundle changes to justify a ballot measure.
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