May 13, 2025
Charter City Comparison and Process
1 Overview
2 Two kinds of municipal governance:
General Law or Charter City
121 of 482 California cities have charters
General Law Cities
3 Governed by CA Government Code
Municipal affairs (zoning, elections, personnel, taxation) bound by rules established by state
Charter Cities
4 Governed by a city charter
Can set local regulations on municipal matters that do not conflict with state constitution (zoning, elections, personnel, taxation)
Benefits
5 General Law
Charter
Simplified governance
Lower legal costs
Predictability
No administrative burden to maintain charter
More local control
Can establish local taxes
Economic advantage – local preference policies, alternative bidding processes
Challenges
6 General Law
Charter
Limited autonomy
Restricted revenue options
One-size-fits-all state policies may not address local needs Complex governance
Potential legal conflicts
Higher administrative costs
Accountability risks
Issues from March 4, 2025 Meetin g
Issue
Clarification
Loss of State Protections
State has authority in these areas. Charter cannot override areas of statewide concern.
Transparency and Motivation
The March 4, 2025 meeting was the initial discussion and notice. The charter process requires significant public engagement should City Council wish to pursue further. 7 Issues from March 4, 2025 Meetin g
Issue
Clarification
Power Consolidation
General Law cities may enact term limits and/or directly elected Mayor. The public votes to adopt a charter which could address these concerns.
Legal and Financial Risks
The cost to add a charter ballot measure to a regular general municipal election is negligible (costs become significantly higher for a special or stand-alone election). A charter could generate more legal exposure for the city when interpreting charter provisions. 8 Issues from March 4, 2025 Meetin g
Issue
Clarification
Governance Changes
Voters may enact or change term limits in General Law cities. Fullerton voters approved term limits in 2010.
General Law and charter cities must follow Brown Act procedures for public participation.
Could change contract and bidding process
9 Issues from March 4, 2025 Meetin g
Issue
Clarification
Necessity and Timing
Depends on proposed charter content and process. The charter adoption process takes approximately 12 to 18 months.
What are the safeguards
Voters approve the charter and any charter amendments.
How will this impact schools
A charter would have no impact on a school district governance structure. 10 Process
11 Initiation
City Council
City Council formed Charter Commission
Citizen Initiative (15% registered voters)
Election
Ballot measure adopted by simple majority
Next Steps
Receive and file report
or
Direct staff to prepare to call election for charter commission members or
Direct staff to agendize item to begin Council-drafted charter process 12 13
Questions?