TOWN OF MORRISON
HOME RULE CHARTER
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)
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