Note: The Coos County Watchdog is not endorsing any change in The County Charter. However, there are a few good aspects of this document that should be debated. Also, this might help educate the public since people are not paying attention now.
Press Release From ARRRG 5-9-12
"Voice of the Voters "
Would you like a vote on having a County Administrator?
Would you like a vote on Urban Renewal taxation? Would you like a vote on the transfer of major county assets?
Would you like five full time commissioners, paid, representing the whole county? Would you like to have Citizen Comments at all the public meetings? Would you like the commissioners to be restricted to
voting only at regularly scheduled Board meetings (versus also at scattered Work Sessions)?
Would you like open competitive county bids and standardized contracts? Would you like to have accountability in quality and contract compliance with these county bids?
You can have it all.
The Home Rule Charter for Coos County 2012 has just been filed as an initiative to be decided in the November election. It contains all of the above provisions, and more. It is sponsored by Americans for
Responsive, Responsible, Representative Government (ARRRG).
This county does not need a captain. It needs a rudder, and a map. This Home Rule Charter provides both, in detail. It features the values and rights of the voters while defining the requirements of the county
governing body. It is unique. It is designed for Coos County.
Feel free to contact us. We're available to meet with any of the various local groups. We have Charters for anyone who wants them. We can e-mail the complete Charter.
Contact information: ARRRG, PO Box 826, Coquille, Oregon 97423. Phone: 541-396-4200 (machine after six rings).
E-mail: [email protected]
Donations are made payable to
ARRRG. Donations are not tax deductible.
Submitted by Ronnie Herne, Secretary,
ARRRG
This file contains the wording to the charter:
Press Release From ARRRG 5-9-12
"Voice of the Voters "
Would you like a vote on having a County Administrator?
Would you like a vote on Urban Renewal taxation? Would you like a vote on the transfer of major county assets?
Would you like five full time commissioners, paid, representing the whole county? Would you like to have Citizen Comments at all the public meetings? Would you like the commissioners to be restricted to
voting only at regularly scheduled Board meetings (versus also at scattered Work Sessions)?
Would you like open competitive county bids and standardized contracts? Would you like to have accountability in quality and contract compliance with these county bids?
You can have it all.
The Home Rule Charter for Coos County 2012 has just been filed as an initiative to be decided in the November election. It contains all of the above provisions, and more. It is sponsored by Americans for
Responsive, Responsible, Representative Government (ARRRG).
This county does not need a captain. It needs a rudder, and a map. This Home Rule Charter provides both, in detail. It features the values and rights of the voters while defining the requirements of the county
governing body. It is unique. It is designed for Coos County.
Feel free to contact us. We're available to meet with any of the various local groups. We have Charters for anyone who wants them. We can e-mail the complete Charter.
Contact information: ARRRG, PO Box 826, Coquille, Oregon 97423. Phone: 541-396-4200 (machine after six rings).
E-mail: [email protected]
Donations are made payable to
ARRRG. Donations are not tax deductible.
Submitted by Ronnie Herne, Secretary,
ARRRG
This file contains the wording to the charter:
| Final Charter May 9, 2012 |
SUMMARY INDEX PREAMBLE
- Citizens' rights/governing body responsibilities
SECTION
1 - NAME, NATURE, BOUNDARIES, COUNTY SEAT
Governmental structure of the County consists of 5 Commissioners, Surveyor, Assessor, Treasurer, Clerk, Sheriff, and Director of Human Resources, elected at large
SECTION
2 - COUNTY AUTHORITY AND POWERS
Vested in County Commissioners
SECTION
3 - BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Requirements for holding office
Terms of office
Elections and vacancies
Quorum/Meeting(s) requirements
Conflicts of interest
Ordinances, Regulations, and Orders
Limitation on delegation of authority
Specific responsibilities
SECTION 4 - REFERENDUM, INITIATIVE, RECALL
Manner of exercising reserved powers
SECTION 5 - GENERAL COUNTY ELECTION PROVISIONS
Nomination, election, recall of county officers
Election of County measures
Charter amendments and repeal
SECTION 6 - FINANCE
Budget/priorities
Capital program projections and voter approval
Grants
Audits
SECTION 7 - PUBLIC RESOURCE PROTECTION
Disposition and acquisition of real/personal property
Public vote not required: re personal property: less than: $5,000
$25,000 with full approval of BOC
Public vote not required re real property less than $50,000 with full BOC approval
Contracts:
Public vote for contracts over $100,000
Public Debt limit
SECTION 8 - DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL, SETTLEMENTS, JUDGEMENTS, COSTS
Quarterly public reports
SECTION 9 - PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
Designate a Chief Maintenance Officer/program for continuous maintenance of equipment and facilities
SECTION 10 - ADMINISTRATION
Commissioners' administrative responsibility: standard oversight of documents, departments, etc.
Employee severance pay for eliminated positions
Public access to service departments
Fee structure for public administrative services
Commissioners' oversight and meeting with department heads/department disbursement of budgeted funds.
SECTION 11 - COUNTY OFFICERS
Oath of office
Term of office
Filling vacancies
Gift limitations
Officers duties ( partial ): Clerk, Sheriff, Assessor, Surveyor, Treasurer- Chief Financial Officer, Human Resources Director.
SECTION 12 - VOTER APPROVAL OF URBAN RENEWAL
Public vote - Approval/termination
SECTION 13 - ENTERPRIZE ZONES, LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Public vote
SECTION 14 - LAND USE
Ordinances or plans submitted to Oregon state agencies for change submitted to voters first
SECTION 15 - TRAVEL EXPENSE REGULATIONS
Travel / lodging / meals
Credit cards
SECTION 16 - PUBLIC CONTRACTING
Public contracting open bid regulations
SECTION 17 - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Per state and federal requirements
SECTION 18 - VETERANS
Veterans Service Officer
Office hours
SECTION 19 - PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS
Building materials
Water rights
Regulation of nuisances
SECTION 20 - PREDATOR CONTROL
Dedicated funds
SECTION 21 - HEALTHCARE FREEDOM
Individual control
SECTION 22 - COMPENSATION
Elected / union / non-union
SECTION 23 - ENFORCEMENT
Penalties/responsibility for penalties due to official violations of this Charter
Citizen remedies
SECTION 24 - MISCELLANEOUS
Charter effective date
Use of taxpayer funds
Artifice/Subterfuge
Severability
Prohibition of retroactive actions
Emergency contracting powers
General emergency powers
SECTION 25 - TRANSITION PROVISIONS
Continuity
Election of additional officers
Ratification of ordinances
Ordinances in conflict with Charter
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