To: WW
Hi WW. To answer the last part of your question. The answer is no. There are state laws, such as the ones to which you refer, that apply to all local governments and cannot be change or altered by local governments. These state laws have a reference that says the general assembly finds this subject to be of statewide interest.
A City Charter typically addresses such questions as form of government, manner of passing local ordinances, requirements for bonds, and the rights of a city to own and operate water systems and sewer systems.
Under the council-manager form of government, the city manager is appointed by and is responsible to the city council. This form of government is similar to the the organization of a private corporation. The chief executive offficer of a private corporation appoints department heads. The city manager in the council-manager form of government appoints department heads. Policy making is vested with the mayor and city council. The manager and department heads implement the Council's policies. Under this concept, policy makers are elected, technical positions are appointed. I believe that public accountabilty is much better with this form of government. Everyone knows who sets the policies for a city or city and county. The day to day activities of the local government are handled by people who are trained to do what they do. It has proven to be a more efficient form of government that is readily held accountable for its policies and the administration of those policies. This is not intended to take anything away from certain individuals who are elected to various county positions who are trained to do the job. However, when a person, for example, runs for county treasurer, what does this person really know about the investment of public funds and how to protect those investments. We have seen too many instances of the mismanagement or otherwise poor management of public funds. With the streamlined government we hope to achieve in Broomfield, a professional finance director will have these responsibilities who will be supervised by city manager who, in turn, reports to the elected mayor and elected city council. Local government has a great many duties and responsibilities. It needs to discharge them in prudent manner consistent with the policies established by the mayor and city council. Hope this helps.
By BBW
Hi WW. To answer the last part of your question. The answer is no. There are state laws, such as the ones to which you refer, that apply to all local governments and cannot be change or altered by local governments. These state laws have a reference that says the general assembly finds this subject to be of statewide interest.
A City Charter typically addresses such questions as form of government, manner of passing local ordinances, requirements for bonds, and the rights of a city to own and operate water systems and sewer systems.
Under the council-manager form of government, the city manager is appointed by and is responsible to the city council. This form of government is similar to the the organization of a private corporation. The chief executive offficer of a private corporation appoints department heads. The city manager in the council-manager form of government appoints department heads. Policy making is vested with the mayor and city council. The manager and department heads implement the Council's policies. Under this concept, policy makers are elected, technical positions are appointed. I believe that public accountabilty is much better with this form of government. Everyone knows who sets the policies for a city or city and county. The day to day activities of the local government are handled by people who are trained to do what they do. It has proven to be a more efficient form of government that is readily held accountable for its policies and the administration of those policies. This is not intended to take anything away from certain individuals who are elected to various county positions who are trained to do the job. However, when a person, for example, runs for county treasurer, what does this person really know about the investment of public funds and how to protect those investments. We have seen too many instances of the mismanagement or otherwise poor management of public funds. With the streamlined government we hope to achieve in Broomfield, a professional finance director will have these responsibilities who will be supervised by city manager who, in turn, reports to the elected mayor and elected city council. Local government has a great many duties and responsibilities. It needs to discharge them in prudent manner consistent with the policies established by the mayor and city council. Hope this helps.
By BBW
