City Secretary Aimee Nemer presented an overview of how the commission will be appointed, a potential charge and how the review process works to Richardson City Council at the Sept. 16 meeting.
The overview
A home rule charter, which was adopted in Richardson in 1956, outlines the structure and power of a city’s government, Nemer said. According to city documents, the charter is required to convene a charter review commission every 10 years.
“You have the ability to accept, reject, modify or add your own [proposed amendments,]” Nemer said.
Nemer added that the proposed charge to the charter review commission will direct members to review provisions that conflict with state or federal law, that are unclear, or recommend other necessary updates.
The proposed commission is expected to include 11 members, including a chairperson and vice chairperson, which will be appointed by council. Assistant City Manager Dannette Garcia, City Attorney Pete Smith and Nemer will assist the commission, per the presentation.
Some context
Richardson’s charter was last reviewed in 2015, Nemer said, which resulted in the provision requiring a charter review commission every 10 years. As part of the same process, 83 amendments were approved, according to the presentation.
Proposed charter amendments must receive approval from a majority of voters during a charter amendment election.
What’s next?
Nemer said applications for the commission will open Oct. 1 before appointments are made in late December or early January. Council is expected to adopt an ordinance outlining the responsibilities of the commission in December as well.
Based on staff’s proposed timeline, council members will review the commission’s report next June before a potential election Nov. 4, 2025.
