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Chartered local government
A chartered city, county, or municipality is one that possesses a unique set of laws that forms the legal foundation of its local system of government. The legal document that articulates these laws is called a charter. Charters act in relation to a county, city, village, or town the same way that a state constitution acts in relation to a state or a federal constitution acts in relation to a nation. They define the powers and functions of elected officials as well as the organization and procedures of local government.[1][2]
Where do charters come from?
Charters can be granted by a state legislature or through a referendum vote passed by the affected population. The way a charter is granted and the way it is implemented varies by state.[2]
Charter ordinances
A charter ordinance is a concept used by states such as Kansas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming to grant home rule powers to municipalities. Instead of having a broad municipal charter document, the municipality may adopt specific charter ordinances that differ from certain state statutes or local acts of the state legislature.[3][4][5]
See also
- Consolidated city-county government
- Council-manager government
- Mayor-council government
- Laws governing local ballot measures
Footnotes
- ↑ National League of Cities, "Municipal Charters," accessed February 17, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Abbey Smith, “Email communication with National League of Cities," October 8, 2023
- ↑ Kansas Constitution, Article 12, Section 5
- ↑ League of Wisconsin Municipalities, "Organization and Powers of Cities and Villages," accessed November 18, 2014
- ↑ Wyoming Association of Municipalities, "Home Rule in Wyoming," accessed November 18, 2014
