1979-11-28 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. e . Regular Meeting 11/28/79 7 13. DISCUSS CHARTER REVISION - Motion by Commissioner Tomerlin, seconded by Commissioner Simons to authorize the prepared statement regarding the Charter Revision be inserted in the minutes. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: NAYS: Commissioners Tomerlin, Kibodeaux, Cline, and Simons. None. liThe City of La Porte is currently governed by a Commission-- people elected to oversee particular areas of city services. Commissioner Tomerlin oversees health, recreation and sanitation; Commissioner Kibodeaux - Water and Sewer; Commissioner Cline - Public Works; and Commissioner Simons - Fire and Police. . This form of government was developed around the turn of the century and was widely used in the early 19001s. In recent years, practically all Texas cities have abandoned the commission form of government in favor of more modern forms. The reason is that government by commission can cause taxpayers to spend more money on administration -- each commissioner is responsible for his or her area and there can be duplication of effort and expenditures. The current Commission has attempted to minimize such by appointing a City Administrator but it nevertheless remains a fact that because of our current charter, each Commissioner is responsible to the people for particular areas of city services and must spend funds accordingly. In the summer of 1977, the Commission determined that the City of La Porte would be governed more efficiently and more economically by a Council-Manager form of government. In that form of government, the Council acts as a policy-making board, overseeing the work of the City, and the City Manager is responsible to the Council for the every-day running of City business. A Charter Revision Committee was established to study the situation and recommend revisions to our current Charter. The Committee determined that the Charter itself needed to be streamlined and modernized, in addition to the change in the method of government. . The Committee proposed extensive revisions to some areas of the old Charter while deeming that many areas had stood the test of time and left them lias is". The effort they put forth has been of great benefit to the City and is very much appreciated. The process of changing our Charter has not been a hasty one. The current Charter has lasted over 30 years, and we hope that the new one will be as lasting. Speed is a luxury we cannot afford in such an endeavor-- rather, we have attempted to properly address all issues and have sought the input of all members of our community.