Business Council Backs Charter Plan

The Orange County Business Council announced its support Monday for the proposed county charter, just days after the Orange County Republican Central Committee said it will oppose Measure T.

The business council, which has long praised the charter plan, stated its position in newspaper advertisements published this week.

“We feel strongly that the charter is needed for accountability and accessibility through the [government] process,” said Todd Nicholson, executive director of the business council.

The charter is designed to reform county government in the wake of the Dec. 6, 1994, bankruptcy filing. It would limit supervisors to two four-year terms, establish a strong chief executive officer to run day-to-day county operations and convert several elected county posts, such as treasurer, into appointed offices.

Supporters said the charter would repair some of the structural flaws in county government exposed during the bankruptcy. But opponents insist that the charter would place too much power in the hands of bureaucrats and would weaken the power of elected officials.

Last week, the Republican Central Committee came out against Measure T, joining a group of antitax activists who last year proposed an alternative.