As the newest member of our City Council, I spend a lot of time listening and learning about issues, approaching each one with an open perspective. Lately, I've sought out meetings and literature presenting various opinions concerning our proposed Home Rule Charter in order to understand and experience the details of its development.

I was able to attend several Home Rule Charter meetings where I saw twenty-one of our fellow citizens research, debate and arrive at consensus on issues that ranged from renaming our Wards to how to ensure individual property rights. In those meetings, our fellow citizens, from a wide range of political points of view, participated in crafting a Charter that ensures our future. It is a thoughtful document.

We are currently a Statutory City. As a Statutory City, there are important limitations on what we as a City can do. One example is we cannot audit and collect sales taxes from businesses within our city without going through the state. Currently, the state is slow in following through with this process, and they don't have the vested interest that our city does in completely and quickly collecting those taxes, thereby increasing revenues for things such as more road resurfacing.

Under the new charter, there are changes to the voting processes used when Council passes ordinances. First, the mayoral powers would be limited; making them equal to that of all other council members, and the mayor's veto powers would be revoked. Also, the new charter has an emphasis on consensus. Voting numbers for issues around eminent domain, emergency ordinances and franchise fees have been increased to six of nine council members and emergency ordnances to seven of nine. The charter guarantees the tax payer's bill of rights (TABOR) for the Citizens of Centennial. This means that all tax increases have to be voter approved even if the state repeals their TABOR process.

If you are still unsure as to how to vote on the Charter, I sincerely encourage you to please attend one of the Home Rule Charter meetings this month where you will be provided the opportunity to have your questions answered, and your concerns addressed with facts. If you can't attend a meeting, pick up Home Rule information at your local library, City Hall, or online at www.homerule2008.com

This is a pivotal time in our City's future. Once you explore the differences between our current system of local government and the possibilities offered by the Charter, you will realize that the issues you care about will be better funded and regulated within the framework of the Home Rule Charter.

Sincerely,

Keith Gardner
City Council Member - Ward II