Leon County Addresses Potential Charter Amendments

On September 23, the Board of County Commissioners held a meeting to discuss seven potential charter amendments for consideration by the Citizen Charter Review Committee (CCRC). The CCRC, a group of citizens appointed to review the Charter every eight years, will review the proposed amendments and make recommendations.

After a thorough discussion, two issues were selected for further review, while the others were deemed beyond the county’s jurisdiction and likely to face rejection.

The issues rejected included the creation of a citizen utility review board, the creation of a utility authority board, two issues related to annexation and city voting rights for utility customers.

One of the topics sparked a significant debate. The Board explored the possibility of amending the Charter to allow County ordinances to take precedence over City of Tallahassee ordinances. This potential change could have far-reaching implications, as the current Charter states that City ordinances hold priority within municipal boundaries, subject to County regulations, except for minimum environmental standards. The Board could opt for a comprehensive charter amendment granting County ordinances priority or a more targeted amendment that addresses specific issues, as long as it aligns with state law.

Some commissioners expressed concerns about the potential impact of the amendments on the relationship between the County and the City.

Commissioner Rick Minor was not in favor of the change.

“We’ve all had issues, but there’s also ways we work with the city,” he said. “Most people don’t care if the city is working on something or the county. They just want it done.”

Meanwhile, the approving commissioners saw it as an opportunity to enhance the legislative process.

Commissioner Christian Caban pointed out that all city residents are residents of Leon County. “I try my best to represent all residents,” he said. “Some of those interests are in city limits.” He also says the county commission should have a greater say over the city.

“There is a lack of effort from the City of Tallahassee to address those issues,” Caban said. “Any issues, they make it a point to ignore.”

The motion to move the item to the CRCC passed 4-3. Commissioners Caban, Welch, Proctor, and Minor voted in the affirmative, while Commissioners Maddox, Cummings, and O’Keefe voted no.

Another item under consideration related to language in the Charter with references to Florida Statutes which conflict with the County’s charter review process. The conflicts include the deadline for the CCRC to transmit proposed amendments to the Board, the amount of time available for the Board to deliberate and possibly modify CCRC recommendations, and whether the Board must call a special election (rather than placing the amendments on the general election ballot) for voters to consider charter amendments recommended by the CCRC.

It was decided to direct staff to work this issue and report back to the Board rather than send the issue to the CCRC.