exploring A Charter Government

The state constitution provides that cities with a population of more than 3,500 may frame and adopt their own charters. The purpose of a charter government is to give cities a greater degree of self-determination. Thus, it applies the principle of self-government in its most ultimate sense at the local level

To adopt a charter, a community must first incorporate as a "city." In the Town of Prescott Valley the question to re-incorporate as a "city" would require a ballot measure to be decided by the voters in a town-wide election. This action would allow Prescott Valley's form of organization to change from that of a general law municipality to that of a charter government.

The identifying characteristics of a community are not determined by whether it is incorporated as a city or a town. Rather, it is how well a community’s unique characteristics are preserved and protected in the planning and development of the community and through charter provisions.

A charter would define Prescott Valley's vision and government structure, better reflecting residents' local values and providing enhanced accountability and transparency.  A charter for Prescott Valley should embody and protect our Town's core values, goals, quality of life aspirations for residents, and the unique qualities of our Town’s remarkably beautiful landscape.

A charter for Prescott Valley should embody and protect our Town's core values, goals, quality of life aspirations for residents, and the unique qualities of our Town’s remarkably beautiful landscape. A charter is drafted by fourteen elected "freeholders," and requires approval by a majority of the freeholders to move forward. Ultimately, a majority vote from the citizens is needed to adopt the proposed charter.

Below is a list of benefits that a Charter Government could provide the community of Prescott Valley.

SUPPORTS LOCAL AUTONOMY

Prescott Valley currently operates as a "general law municipality", a form of government developed by the state legislature intended to apply generically to any AZ city or town and informed by the values of the large population centers of southern Arizona. 

A benefit of a charter government is that it allows for local flexibility. It gives communities the ability to address their specific needs and challenges by exercising local control. This flexibility is at the core of the authority granted by a constitutional charter.  A charter would allow Prescott Valley to protect its unique quality of life aspirations and values against state influence, enabling local decision-making that reflects the community's character, rather than adopting a uniform approach based on the interests of larger population centers in southern Arizona.

ENHANCES THE AUTHORITY OF THE TOWN COUNCIL

A charter for Prescott Valley could contain provisions that enhance the authority of the Council in addressing important policy issues.  

For example, a charter could contain provisions that require larger development proposals to be assessed first by the Council before being sent to the Development Services Department for processing. The outcome of the Council’s initial assessment might be a requirement for Development Services to apply enhanced consultation procedures in processing the proposed development.

There are other ways to enhance the authority of the Council that can be explored in the drafting process.

EASES FINANCIAL PRESSURES

Potential benefits to Prescott Valley from charter provisions related to future residential developments could have a positive impact on governmental finances. 

The Arizona League of Cities & Towns notes that charters can enhance city powers in planning, zoning, and regulating subdivisions and floodplains. The City of Scottsdale's charter amendment requires developers to provide essential services or fees for new developments, a practice that has been adopted by other charter cities. Additionally, several cities have established architectural review boards and property maintenance codes to ensure quality and cleanliness in developments. Overall, these charter provisions enable the Council to hold developers accountable for the costs associated with new residential projects, promoting fairness by having them and new homeowners bear those costs instead of existing residents.

AVOIDS FRAGMENTED, SHORT-LIVED RESULTS

There are likely some additions to Prescott Valley’s municipal authority that can be made the subject of individual Town ordinances. However, as the League of Arizona Cities & Towns observes, town ordinances have two important shortcomings when compared to the provisions of a charter.  

1. Town ordinances can be repealed by a simple majority vote of the Council, risking core citizen values being altered by shifting majorities. A majority vote of the citizens is required to amend or repeal a charter provision. 

2. Ordinances address single issues, leading to a piecemeal approach that may not reflect citizen values and can be time-consuming and fractious. 

A charter could provide more enduring protections for community values.

ENHANCES CITIZEN INPUT

Recently, there has been a conflict in Prescott Valley between residents' growth values and those of the majority of past Council Members. A charter can contain provisions giving residents a voice in important matters affecting the entire community. For example, a potential charter provision could suggest extending the effective date of non-emergency ordinances from 30 to 60 or 90 days. This would allow citizens more time to evaluate ordinances and potentially have their concerns addressed or mitigated with the Council, avoiding the costs of a referendum election.

DIRECT CITIZEN APPROVAL ON BIG-TICKET MATTERS

Prescott Valley is facing a water resource shortage that may require significant revenue commitments, such as the potential Big Chino Ranch pipeline. A charter can mandate that large capital commitments receive direct citizen approval through a ballot vote. 

NO NEED FOR SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTIONS

The initial drafting of a charter for Prescott Valley can be done with minimal disruption to Councilmembers' workloads. The charter provisions can largely be based on the existing Town Code, with necessary modifications. Implementing the charter will not pose significant logistical challenges, as it primarily serves as a constitution with high-level provisions that won't require major changes to daily government operations.

FREEHOLDERS PROCESS ENSURES WIDESPREAD INPUT

A charter is drafted by fourteen elected "freeholders." Any citizen, including Councilmembers and town officials, can run for a freeholder position. The process is designed to prevent a small, activist group from skewing the drafting towards partisan interests.  The draft requires the approval of a majority of the freeholders in order to move forward. Ultimately, a majority vote from the citizens is needed to adopt the proposed charter.

WILL NOT CAUSE SIGNIFICANT COSTS FOR THE TOWN

Because a charter for Prescott Valley need not give rise to many, if any, changes in the day-to-day operations of the municipal government and may not cause a name change, it can be implemented without incurring significant expenditures.

LEARN MORE FROM THE LEAGUE OF ARIZONA CITIES AND TOWNS

To learn more about the advantages of, and the procedures for, adopting a Charter, please CLICK HERE.