HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08061996 - C86 'TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra
FROM: SUPERVISOR MARK DeSAULNIER
Costa
.`s
County
DATE: July 30, 1996
SUBJECT: ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT OF CHARTER COMMISSION
BALLOT MEASURE
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. APPROVE the attached language for the argument in support of the Charter
Commission advisory measure which the Board of Supervisors has placed on
the November 5, 1996 ballot.
2. AUTHORIZE Supervisor DeSaulnier to obtain signatures from appropriate
individuals and organizations to the argument in support of the Charter
Commission advisory measure and insure its submission to the County Clerk-
Elections Division in a timely manner.
BACKGROUND:
On June 18, 1996, the Board of Supervisors voted to place an advisory measure on
the November 5, 1996 ballot, asking the voters whether the Board of Supervisors
should appoint a Commission to draft a Charter for consideration by the Board and
possible subsequent submission to the voters. At that time, I was asked to return to
the Board of Supervisors by August 6, 1996, with the text of an argument in support
of the ballot measure. The proposed text of the argument in support of the ballot
measure is attached. It has been prepared in consultation with the President of the
Contra Costa Council, the Executive Vice President of the Contra Costa Taxpayers'
Association, and other individuals. I am asking that the Board approve the text of the
argument so that it can be submitted in a timely manner.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: �4-
-RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON August 6, 1996 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: 1,4,5 and 2 NOES: 3 AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier August 6, 1996
County Administrator ATTESTED
Contact: P B CHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
cc: County Clerk-Recorder
P
Assistant County Registrar of Voters VISORS AND COU ISTRAT
County Counsel
ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT OF MEASURE
BRING THE POWER BACK TO THE PEOPLE! Help make your county
government more effective and efficient. Help save tax funds for yQur priorities.
Vote "Yes" on Measure _!
A "Yes" vote directs the Board of Supervisors to appoint a Commission to draft
a proposed Charter for Contra Costa County. A "Yes" vote empowers this
Commission's efforts.
Why a Charter? Because a Charter:
✓ gives you more local control of taxes;
✓ provides the County additional flexibility with regard to cumbersome
State laws;
✓ gives you more voice in how County government is organized and
operated;
✓ helps local government agencies work more closely with each other.
Without a Charter, a county is nothing but a subdivision of Sacramento! A
Charter makes a county more independent! It is like having a local
constitution.
Contra Costa County is the largest county in Northern California that does not
have a Charter.
A Charter does not, will not, can not authorize any new or higher taxes!
A Charter MUST be approved by the voters.
Approval of Measure _ directs the Board of Supervisors to appoint a Charter
Commission. The Commission's job will be to make your local government as
streamlined and efficient as possible. It will make County government as
responsive as possible to you.
The Charter Commission will suggest what subjects should be covered in a
Charter. The Charter will outline how the County should be organized and run.
The Commission will have some government representatives on it. However,
the majority of members will be from outside government.
Remember, you get to vote on the Commission's proposal. The Charter must
receive voter approval before it goes into effect.
This is your opportunity to improve how your local government is organized and
operated. Declare Our Independence From Sacramento. VOTE "YES" ON
MEASURE
1 .
NAME REPRESENTING
2.
NAME REPRESENTING
3.
NAME REPRESENTING
4.
NAME REPRESENTING
5.
NAME REPRESENTING
2