19 - Charter Review Commission Report 2021

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INTRODUCTION: The City of Paris is one of approximately 350 incorporated cities in Texas recognized as a "home rule city" by virtue of having adopted a city charter in accordance with state law. The current charter was originally adopted by local voters on November 2, 1948. Based on recommendations of a citizen Charter Review Commission (CRC), the original document was extensively revised by an election in 2007. Then, two additional amendments were approved by the voters on May 14, 2011. The first one created the current provision for term limits on Council members. The second one provided that the city could enter into a multi-year contract with a CPA firm to conduct its annual audit. Then, in 2015, another CRC was created. It only met twice, however, and no amendments were recommended to the city council as a result. As it stands, the charter consists of twelve articles denoted by Roman numerals. Within those articles there are 151 consecutively numbered sections. In the years since the charter was last amended, the city has grown and changed in significant ways, and various issues have arisen within the document. These issues often fall into one of three categories, as follows: 1. Some of the provisions have been offset or materially affected by state or federal legislation or by court decisions. 2. Some of the provisions are, for one reason or another, not being observed as a result of decisions by the city council and/or city administration. 3. Some of its provisions simply need to be clarified, abbreviated, or modified to enhance future implementation and operations. With this in mind, on August 9, 2021, the city council adopted an ordinance creating a new CRC, to be composed of fifteen members, to be assisted by a qualified consultant, and to be charged with the responsibility of studying the current charter and recommending to the city council consideration of appropriate additional amendments. Such recommendations, if approved by the city council, would then be submitted to Paris voters in May, 2022. Subsequently, the city council appointed the following citizens to serve on the CRC: Alix Putnam, (Chair) Mickey Allen Brenda Cherry Chad Lindsey Connie Dodd Jessica Holtman Reeves Hayter David House Stacy Ladell James Mitchell Taisley Scroggin Kenneth Webb Matthew Coyle Lydia Fitzgerald Linda Kapp Sybil Bills (Alternate) The CRC held its organizational meeting on September 20, 2021, at which time the CRC (a) elected Reeves Hayter as Vice Chairperson; and (b) was introduced to Don R. 0)1