11-08-2012 Charter Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Jeff Karlson August 1, 2012 Page 2 City shall be restricted to the lesser of the limits imposed under the laws in 2010, and the new limits. The City's levy for the year 2012 shall be used as the starting point for calculating all subsequent levy adjustments. Any unused levy authority from 2012 or prior years may not be used. Levies imposed on a majority of the property owners in the City for a new special district or utility (such as a storm sewer improvement district, storm sewer utility, or lake improvement district) created after 2011 shall be included in the levy limit. These levies will qualify as "special levies" only if a majority of the City's voters specifically vote to authorize the creation of the special district or utility. For the purpose of determining the maximum levy, the original net tax capacity shall be used for all property which is both (a) placed in a tax increment financing district after 2011 and (b) being taxed on the basis of its original net tax capacity. The .second proposed amendment and corresponding ballot wording are as follows: Ballot question: Should the City Charter be amended by adding a new Section 1.04, spelling out the duties of the Charter Commission and that its members are appointed by a judge; and a new Section 1.05, requiring all proposed amendments to be submitted to the Charter Commission, and giving the Commission equal opportunity with the City Council to inform the public about amendments? Proposed amendment: Section 1.04, Charter Commission. The City shall have an ongoing Charter Commission with responsibility for maintaining and updating the Charter, and for informing residents of the meaning or impact of the proposed Charter amendments. Members of the Charter Commission shall be appointed by the Chief Judge of the local district court, and shall receive no compensation. Section 1.05. Amendments to this Charter. All proposed amendments to the Charter and corresponding ballot wording shall be submitted to the Charter Commission for review. The City Council may not directly or indirectly use public funds to inform the public about an amendment unless the City Council provides the Charter Commission with equal funds and opportunities to inform the public about the amendment. The City questions the legality of the proposed amendments and requested an opinion as to whether the Council must authorize the proposed amendments to be placed on the November 6, 2012, general election ballot.