On September 1st, the Charter Revision Commission voted to submit 14 charter changes to a voter referendum on November 2, 1999. The proposals will be presented as a single question on the ballot. Three of the changes relate to the budget process. These changes could significantly affect the management of the city's finances and their impacts are not necessarily apparent from the brief synopses that appear here or that will appear on the ballot. IBO's review of these proposals is underway and will appear in an upcoming newsfax.

The first budget proposal caps growth in city spending at the rate of inflation; however the Mayor and Council can override this cap if they both deem it necessary. The second requires at least 50 percent of a surplus be placed in a budget stabilization and emergency fund, which could be used to prepay debt service (which rolls the surplus into the next year), or for emergency or other needs as jointly determined by the Mayor and the City Council. The third requires a two-thirds vote of the Council to pass a new tax or tax increase, and a four-fifths vote to override a mayoral veto of such a law.

The Commission has also placed on the ballot a proposal to hold a special election within two months to fill a vacancy in the Office of Mayor. This change would not become effective until January 1, 2002. Other items in the referendum include creating "gun free" school safety zones, placing the city's anti-discrimination laws into the charter, making the Administration for Children's Services a permanent city agency, consolidating departments to create a Department of Public Health and Mental Hygiene Services and changing the procurement and vendor integrity review process.

When the Commission was first convened, Commission Chair Randy Mastro asked the staff to consider several additional questions, including whether the IBO should be eliminated or modified. The staff recommended the Commission defer consideration of these changes. In its presentation to the Commission, the staff reported receiving a number of letters in support of the IBO. The Chair has strongly suggested that the Commission should be reappointed next year to consider deferred issues.

For more information on this issue, contact Andrew Rein, IBO Associate Director at 442-0629.