Vote to Decide Fate of Proposal for City Charter

Voters will determine today whether the city converts from a general-law government to charter status.

General law cities are ruled by state codes, while charter cities derive laws from a locally written document, often called the “constitution” of a city.

Most city officials and elected leaders in Westminster support the change, saying a charter would provide more local control and save money.

A charter, City Manager Bill Smith said, would “secure the maximum amount of local, self-government as you can have under the state Constitution. It puts more power directly in the hands of the electorate.”

Westminster could expect to save between $600,000 and $900,000 a year in purchasing and construction projects because a charter would exempt the city from certain state codes, he said. The city also would receive slightly lower interest rates for bond financing.

Resident Robert J. Crossley, who wrote the ballot argument against the city charter, has cautioned residents against approving the document. Crossley said the proposal is vaguely worded and would put excessive power in the hands of City Council members.

“The objection I have is that it gives the City Council control of the City Council,” he said. “And if they control themselves, they can control just about anything.”

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. A copy of the proposed city charter is available at City Hall, 8200 Westminster Blvd.