TOWN OF MORRISON
HOME RULE CHARTER
Passed by the Home Rule Charter Commission on July 26, 2000
Lew Stieghorst   Donna Smith   Jack Phillips
Brian Bogert   Wayne Jacobson   Allen Williams
Jamee Chambers   Kathy Dichter   Dick Scott
Endorsed by the Board of Trustees for the Town of Morrison On August 15, 2000
Kathy Dichter, Mayor   Allen Williams, Mayor Pro Tem
Dick Scott, Trustee   Lew Stieghorst, Trustee
Donna Smith, Trustee   Robert Pitts, Trustee
Jack Phillips, Trustee   
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prefatory Synopsis
Article 1.0   General Provisions
   1.1   Name, Boundaries
   1.2   Purpose Of Charter
   1.3   Form Of Government
   1.4   Powers Of The Town
Article 2.0   Mayor, Board Of Trustees
   2.1   Board Membership
   2.2   Powers Of The Board
   2.3   Qualifications
   2.4   Terms Of Office
   2.5   Compensation
   2.6   Standards Of Conduct
   2.7   Vacancies
   2.8   Oath Of Office
   2.9   Mayor
   2.10   Mayor Pro Tem
   2.11   Removal
Article 3.0   Board Procedure
   3.1   Regular Meetings
   3.2   Special Meetings
   3.3   Quorum And Adjournment Of Meeting
   3.4   Meetings Open To The Public; Executive Sessions
   3.5   Board Acts
   3.6   Voting, Voting Prohibited When
   3.7   Action By Ordinance Required
   3.8   Form Of Ordinance
   3.9   Ordinance Adoption Procedure
   3.10   Emergency Ordinances
   3.11   Codification
   3.12   Adoption Of Codes By Reference
   3.13   Public Records
   3.14   Publication
   3.15   Fines And Penalties For Ordinance Violations
Article 4.0   Elections
   4.1   Colorado Municipal Election Laws Adopted
   4.2   Regular Elections
   4.3   Nonpartisan Elections
   4.4   Election Precincts
   4.5   Recall
Article 5.0   Initiative And Referendum
   5.1   Initiative
   5.2   Referendum
   5.3   Board Referendum
   5.4   Prohibited Action By Board
Article 6.0   Legal And Judiciary
   6.1   Town Attorney
   6.2   Judiciary
Article 7.0   Town Administration
   7.1   Town Manager
   7.2   Non-Interference
   7.3   Powers And Duties Of The Town Manager
   7.4   Departments
Article 8.0   Budget And Finance
   8.1   Fiscal Year
   8.2   Budget
   8.3   Capital Program
   8.4   Public Hearing
   8.5   Town Action On Budget
   8.6   Payments And Obligations Prohibited
   8.7   Lapse Of Appropriation
   8.8   Deposit And Permitted Investment Of Town Funds
   8.9   Payments
   8.10   Independent Audit
Article 9.0   Financial Powers
   9.1   General Statement
   9.2   Forms Of Borrowing
   9.3   Municipal Taxation
Article 10.0   Improvement Districts, Authorities And Assessments
   10.1   Authorization
   10.2   Public Hearing
   10.3   Review Of Improvement District Proceedings
Article 11.0   Franchises And Public Utilities
   11.1   Town Powers
   11.2   Utility Rates And Finances
   11.3   Grant Of Franchises
   11.4   Term, Compensation And Restriction
   11.5   Franchise Review
   11.6   Assignment Of Franchise
   11.7   Common Use Of Facilities
   11.8   Franchise Records
   11.9   Revocable Permits
Article 12.0   Boards And Commissions
   12.1   Existing Boards And Commissions
   12.2   Boards And Commissions General
Article 13.0   Property Rights, Disposition
   13.1   Property Rights
   13.2   Eminent Domain
   13.3   Lease Of Property
Article 14.0   Miscellaneous Provisions
   14.1   Interpretation
   14.2   Reservation Of Power
   14.3   Bequests, Gifts And Donations
   14.4   Emergency Powers
   14.5   Penalties For Violation Of Charter
   14.6   Severability Of Charter Provisions
   14.7   Charter Amendments
   14.8   Saturdays, Sundays, And Holidays
   14.9   Definitions
   14.10   Limitations Of Actions
Article 15.0   Transitional Provisions
   15.1   Status Of Transitional Provisions
   15.2   Effective Date Of Charter
   15.3   Prior Town Legislation
   15.4   Present Elected Officials To Continue In Office
   15.5   Continuation Of Appointed Officers And Employees
   15.6   Continuation Of Present Boards And Commissions
   15.7   Saving Clause
   15.8   Correction Of Grammatical And Syntactical Errors
 
PREFATORY SYNOPSIS
The Town of Morrison was incorporated on January 10, 1906, as a statutory town. Its basic structure and legal status have not changed during its first century of existence. Physically the Town has changed somewhat, but broad and pervasive change, resulting from growth and growth pressure in and around the historic town, is just now beginning to be felt. The Morrison Home Rule Commission, elected on April 4, 2000 has designed and presented a Charter which makes minimal modification to the current structure and practice of government in the Town, but empowers the Town to effectively function in its second century. The Charter reserves to the residents of the Town and their elected officials the fullest power and authority over local and Municipal matters that may be reserved under article XX of the Colorado Constitution. The Charter and the administrative structure provided will enable the Town to respond quickly and effectively to the challenges the future will present:
-intensified regulation of the water and sewer utilities.
-new State or Federal mandates.
-changes in the law governing Municipal matters as a result of legislative or citizen initiated changes.
-development and development pressure.
(9-26-2000)
The Charter authorizes but does not require the position of Town Manager. As government becomes a more technical and complex activity skilled management with continuity is important.
(9-26-2000; amd. 4-3-2018)
The Charter presented to the Board of Trustees retains, and in some cases expands, the rights of the electorate to be informed about and to effect the government of the Town through broader notice requirements for Board meetings and proposed ordinances, a detailed budget document and open budget process with opportunity for citizen participation and the rights of initiative, referendum and recall. The Charter leaves unimpaired the right of a citizen to vote upon any proposed tax increase or change, any new tax and any new debt payable over multiple years representing a general obligation of the Town. The Charter encourages responsible long range planning through a requirement for a capital improvement program and regular utility rate review. The Charter provides for an independent annual audit of the Town's financial status so that citizens may inform themselves of the Town's financial condition.
It is the Charter Commission's belief that that level of government closest to the people best understands their needs and is most responsive to their requests and should therefore have the greatest authority to develop policy affecting them. Preserving that authority is the essence of home rule and the purpose and intent of the proposed Morrison Home Rule Charter.
(9-26-2000)
ARTICLE 1.0
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1.1. NAME, BOUNDARIES
The Municipal corporation presently incorporated as the Town of Morrison, shall remain and continue as a body politic and corporate under this Charter with the same name and with the same boundaries until such boundaries are lawfully changed.
(9-26-2000)
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