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CHAPTER 4 • Anyone looking for the applicable law relating to a home rule charter city must consult not only the statutes, but also the particular home rule charter. Only a few collections of home rule charters exist. When seeking advice, an up-to- date copy of a city charter is of utmost importance to ensure the advice is accurate. • The cost of preparing a home rule charter should be relatively minor. The smaller the community, the larger the cost in proportion to population. • The process for amending a charter is often time-consuming and cumbersome, and the procedure for abandoning a charter may also be complicated. • Charter amendments can be difficult to pass, especially when they are controversial. Sometimes supporters or opponents of the proposal, in order to bypass local opposition or to avoid dividing the community, go to the Legislature for a solution. This action tends to defeat the original purpose of adopting a charter. C. Essentials of a good home rule charter Because of the difficulty in amending and abandoning a home rule charter, the charter should deal with fundamentals and give the city council the authority to provide more detailed regulations through ordinance. Simplicity and brevity are essential to a good charter. A charter should be brief enough to be read in a reasonable amount of time. Provisions should be simple and clear in order to avoid the possibility of more than one interpretation. Another essential element of a good charter is a comprehensive grant of power to the city in general terms. Because cities are organized to promote the welfare of the people, and people are in control of their affairs in a charter city through their elected representatives and charter commission members, citizens should not be afraid of entrusting city government with a wide range of powers. If citizens feel it necessary, the charter can include initiative, referendum, and possibly recall provisions as additional checks to prevent the abuse of power. A good city charter provides for a workable, responsive organization of the city government. It is simple so that all citizens and officials understand it. Its design eliminates red tape and makes city government more effective by reducing the number of working parts. It encourages and rewards expertise and efficiency in the administration of the city. 4-6 HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA CITIES