Commission debates using certificates of obligation for large projects, rejects adding a charter threshold

Commissioners debated whether the charter should require voter approval for certificates of obligation above a set dollar threshold. One commissioner argued COs are being used to avoid voter ballots for large projects and described talking with the author of the state law, calling the current practice a misuse of COs. Supporters of a threshold urged voters be given a say on large debt issuances; opponents said elected representatives and expert committees provide necessary vetting.

A roll-call/straw count on whether a charter threshold should be required recorded six yeses and eight noes in the meeting discussion; the commission did not adopt a threshold in the charter and deferred further discussion of precise dollar levels or ballot language to future sessions.