Michigan Municipal League January/February 2024 Review Magazine

CHARTERS

Home Rule Charters— Requirements, Options, and Resources

–By Kim Cekola

Charters are fascinating, but more importantly, they are local law. When councilmembers are sworn into office, they promise to uphold them; so, what are they swearing to? What Is a Charter? A charter is like a constitution. It establishes the authority of the village or city and how it operates. Charters are written by an elected charter commission made up of citizens, and then voted up or down by the electorate. They are truly the product of democracy in action.

To change the charter completely is to revise; to change one or more sections or provisions is to amend. A revision is required if you want to make substantial changes or start from scratch with an entirely new guidebook; it is accomplished by an elected charter commission composed of local voters. An amendment, such as changing from an elected to an appointed clerk, can be initiated either by the council or by citizen petition. Both have state-mandated steps and require review by the governor and the attorney general (see How-To resources).

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