Citizens should attend Manatee’s charter government workshop

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County encourages citizens to attend the Manatee County Commission workshop on the subject of charter county government, to start at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Bradenton Convention Center. This will be a great opportunity for citizens to learn about this form of county government that Manatee could adopt, and make comments.

Also called “home rule,” a charter is a mini-constitution that defines a Florida county government’s structure, functions and procedures. Unlike the form we currently have (the constitutional form, created in the 19th century), it gives the county the ability to make changes to meet the needs of a growing population — to innovate, collaborate and streamline, without being required to get permission from the Florida Legislature. Since the state first allowed this option in1968, 20 counties, holding over 75 percent of Florida’s population, have chosen this more flexible form of government.

The featured speaker, Virginia Delegal, executive director of the Florida Association of Counties, will explain the nuts and bolts of charter: what changes with home rule, how it works, how a charter is adopted and changed. This form also allows for more citizen participation in government. For example, citizens as well as the county or charter commission may propose changes to the charter, and citizens may recall officials who violate rules. Sarasota citizens have voted for term limits, local campaign contribution limits, and other changes. Any change to the county charter must be placed on the ballot and approved by the voters.

The success of charter is shown by the results. None of the counties that has made this change has ever gone back to the previous form. They like the freedom it provides. For more information about charter government, visit: lwvmanatee.org, and ourmanatee.com.

This story was originally published June 12, 2017 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Citizens should attend Manatee’s charter government workshop."