Carlsbad voters will decide June 3 whether their city adopts its own charter, akin to a constitution, or continues to be governed by state laws as it has since its incorporation more than five decades ago.
Currently, Carlsbad is a general law city, meaning that its structure and operation follow laws established by the state of California. As a charter city, Carlsbad would have more autonomy in municipal affairs like finance, purchasing and contracting.
In February, the Carlsbad City Council unanimously agreed to put the charter city question on the June 3 ballot, following a series of public workshops and more than six months of study.
“By becoming a charter city, Carlsbad will have more control over its affairs and be less restricted by the decisions of the state Legislature in Sacramento,” said City Attorney Ron Ball. “After closely examining the pros and cons of creating a city charter, the City Council has decided that it believes becoming a charter city will make Carlsbad a stronger, more self-reliant city in the future.”
The city has drafted a three-page charter document, which would go into effect as soon as it is filed with the secretary of state if a simple majority of voters favors the charter's adoption. Five cities in San Diego County, Vista, Del Mar, San Diego, Chula Vista and San Marcos, have adopted their own charters.
Adoption of a charter would give the city more flexibility on issues such as purchasing and contracting. The process mandated by the state can be expensive and cumbersome, causing project delays.
The change to a charter city would not result in additional government costs, and the charter does not enhance the city's authority to impose or raise taxes. The proposed charter reaffirms the principles of growth management as outlined in Proposition E, which was approved by voters in 1986.
In addition, the proposed charter maintains Carlsbad's current form of government, known as the council-manager system. The City Council sets policy guidelines for the city, which are carried out under the supervision of the city manager.
As a charter city, Carlsbad would have the authority over setting election dates and procedures and the criteria for holding city office, including the procedures used to fill a vacancy on the City Council. Such matters are currently dictated by laws established by the state Legislature. Certain affairs, such as traffic and vehicle regulation, open and public meetings laws, certain planning and environmental laws and matters of eminent domain, would remain under the state's authority if Carlsbad becomes a charter city.
If the charter measure passes on the June 3 ballot, the city will continue operating as it currently does. Over time, specific ordinances could be brought forward to the City Council for adoption, which would alter city operations to take advantage of the flexibility of the charter.
However, a charter would give the city more local control over many important issues of governance and amount to a statement of independence by voters, as
contained in the proposed charter's preamble: “We the people of the City of Carlsbad, declare our intent to maintain in our community the historic principles of self-governance inherent in the doctrine of home-rule.”
For a detailed comparison of charter and general law cities, visit www.cacities.org and type “charter city” into the search box. For more information on Carlsbad's proposed charter, visit www.carlsbadca.gov.
Currently, Carlsbad is a general law city, meaning that its structure and operation follow laws established by the state of California. As a charter city, Carlsbad would have more autonomy in municipal affairs like finance, purchasing and contracting.
In February, the Carlsbad City Council unanimously agreed to put the charter city question on the June 3 ballot, following a series of public workshops and more than six months of study.
“By becoming a charter city, Carlsbad will have more control over its affairs and be less restricted by the decisions of the state Legislature in Sacramento,” said City Attorney Ron Ball. “After closely examining the pros and cons of creating a city charter, the City Council has decided that it believes becoming a charter city will make Carlsbad a stronger, more self-reliant city in the future.”
The city has drafted a three-page charter document, which would go into effect as soon as it is filed with the secretary of state if a simple majority of voters favors the charter's adoption. Five cities in San Diego County, Vista, Del Mar, San Diego, Chula Vista and San Marcos, have adopted their own charters.
Adoption of a charter would give the city more flexibility on issues such as purchasing and contracting. The process mandated by the state can be expensive and cumbersome, causing project delays.
The change to a charter city would not result in additional government costs, and the charter does not enhance the city's authority to impose or raise taxes. The proposed charter reaffirms the principles of growth management as outlined in Proposition E, which was approved by voters in 1986.
In addition, the proposed charter maintains Carlsbad's current form of government, known as the council-manager system. The City Council sets policy guidelines for the city, which are carried out under the supervision of the city manager.
As a charter city, Carlsbad would have the authority over setting election dates and procedures and the criteria for holding city office, including the procedures used to fill a vacancy on the City Council. Such matters are currently dictated by laws established by the state Legislature. Certain affairs, such as traffic and vehicle regulation, open and public meetings laws, certain planning and environmental laws and matters of eminent domain, would remain under the state's authority if Carlsbad becomes a charter city.
If the charter measure passes on the June 3 ballot, the city will continue operating as it currently does. Over time, specific ordinances could be brought forward to the City Council for adoption, which would alter city operations to take advantage of the flexibility of the charter.
However, a charter would give the city more local control over many important issues of governance and amount to a statement of independence by voters, as
contained in the proposed charter's preamble: “We the people of the City of Carlsbad, declare our intent to maintain in our community the historic principles of self-governance inherent in the doctrine of home-rule.”
For a detailed comparison of charter and general law cities, visit www.cacities.org and type “charter city” into the search box. For more information on Carlsbad's proposed charter, visit www.carlsbadca.gov.