Marble Falls voters asked to amend charter
Early voting began today. In addition to candidates on the ballot, Marble Falls citizens will consider amendments to their city charter. See sample ballots in the Friday, Oct. 21 edition of The Highlander and the elections page of the Burnet County website, BurnetCountyTexas.org.
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
The City of Marble Falls ballot may look imposing to voters with its list of eight City Charter amendments.
Since a charter is essentially a city's constitution it is important, but in the case of this election, it might be said it is important housekeeping.
“Most of what is included is to clean up the charter to be consistent with state law,” explained City Manager Mike Hodge.
“The Propositions clarify the charter,” agreed City Secretary Christina McDonald, the city election official.
Right now, various ordinances have been required to fill the gaps in the existing charter. Citizen approval of the amendments would solve inconsistencies, say city staff.
Each proposition was recommended to the city council by the Charter Review Advisory Committee, which conducted a comprehensive review of the charter and requests for changes that had come up over the last two years.
The city adopted a Home Rule Charter in 1986. Compared to a General Law Charter, a Home Rule Charter essentially describes a city's own governance within the Texas Constitution. It is limited to revision by amendment to every two years and amendments must be done by ballot. Since 1986, it has been amended four times.
An amendment could be something of import, such as organization of a city council.
Proposition 1 would solve a problem that actually has occurred before. A General Law City could depend on state law for a provision that elected officials take office within 30 days of election. Without approval of Proposition 1, the Marble Falls City Charter has no such provision and no way to declare a seat vacant if an elected official cannot take office because of illness or injury.
Amendments can be very simple. Proposition 5, for example, would call on the city manager to present financial reports twice per year, rather than monthly.
Since citizens of a Home Rule city have the obligation to comply with state law, amendments appear such as Proposition 8 to remove the requirement a candidate for elective office not be in arrears in the payment of taxes or other liabilities due the city.
A brief expanded description of each of the eight propositions is provided under the heading “Proposed Charter Amendments” on the elections page under “Elections Information” on the city website, www.marblefallstx.gov.
