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Century Discusses Possible Charter Review
May 14, 2019
The Century Town Council held a workshop meeting Monday evening to discuss the town charter — the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate.
Lynn Tipton with the Florida League of Cities explained to the council that municipal governments in Florida often review and update their charters to meet the ever-changing landscape of government.
The Century town charter was adopted on November 27, 1979, and ratified by referendum on January 8, 1980. It has been unchanged since.
Tipton said the first step toward possible changes to Century’s charter would be the formation of a charter revision committee. The committee would hold several public forums and would work to involve local citizens every step of the way in a process that could easily take a year.
“The role of citizens in this process is crucial,” Tipton said.” Representation of the public, ability to weigh issues and to understand the charter’s importance of the city’s governing foundation.”
Century’s charter provides a form of government this a mix of council-strong mayor and council-weak mayor. That, she said, could be clarified in charter revisions, or the form of government could be changed to totally different format such as council-manager or just council where he mayor would be more of a figurehead but hold little or no power. Of the 10 cities in Florida closest in population to Century, half are council-manager and the other half is divided between a strong and weak mayor format.
The number of council members, the length of their terms and how the mayor is selected could all be changed through an updated charter.
The town council took no action Monday night on forming a charter review committee. They did, however, direct the town clerk to obtain further documentation from Florida cities that have recently made charter revisions.
Other than a NorthEscambia.com reporter, no member of the public attended the meeting.
Pictured: The Century Town Council held a workshop meeting on the town charter Monday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
16 Responses to “Century Discusses Possible Charter Review”
There wasn’t anyone at the meeting. Why bother? They sure don’t want my or anyone else’s input. I can’t change the charter any more than I can change the Council!
Trying to change the rules now to cover up your past wrongs will not work.
Seriously. The grand jury recommendations have been ignored. Maybe. No government above is forcing them to do anything. TOC found a huge billing problem, I guess they are working that out. We know how to check the FL auditor site. You did not report financial emergency to the JLAC or. Governor. The website for Century is not updated. Do citizens want to be a part or let what will be ..will be. The UWF on the county agenda is not even asking for community input. Why not?
This is a waste of time. Solve current problems.Cut with the Smoke Screens.
The real question that should be put on the next ballot in a Century election should not be about adopting new charters. It instead should ask its citizens if the city government should unincorporate and turn its infrastructure over to other entities, or remain incorporated and have a newly chartered city government.
Case in point: If few, or no one, is attending public municipal meetings, other than city council members, why have a municipality? A parallel to this would be that if only the pastor and their family are attending a certain church, is their really justification to have that church?
If a vote to remain an incorporated municipality passed a referendum, then a new charter could be developed and voted upon.
“no citizens interested enough to attend meetings” I see dogs taking leaks, but I don’t hang around to watch the whole affair. Same holds true for Century’s meetings. Why bother?
All these commenters and yet no one showed up at the workshop. No wonder the City is in the toilet; no citizens interested enough to attend meetings, understand how local government works and put for the effort to make changes.
“he number of council members, the length of their terms and how the mayor is selected could all be changed through an updated charter.” lol. Revoking the charter would erase these people who claim to represent Century. Inept is not a good enough word to describe the mayor and the council.
This should be very entertaining, I want the town of Century to amaze me with their intelligence and wisdom. I cannot wait to see them clean this mess up. Just a misunderstanding…
MAYBE THEY NEED TO READ AND UNDERSTAND IT FIRST! THE MAYOR AIN’T GOING FOR THIS! LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE ALL HIS POWER??????????
I’d still love to know how many of these people sitting around this table were getting free utilities before the big revelation that half the users were not getting billed.
Funny, they busy themselves writing a new charter, while they ignore the old one. Maybe they hope this will distract the citizens from the fact that they are totally ignoring the Grand Jury recommendations. Maybe the new charter will include a coronation ceremony for the King and his Court.
Should have read the operating manual years ago.
Instead of revising the charter, the town council be dissolving it. Especially when one considers the facts that the town is so dysfunctional it can neither provide basic services nor account for those who receive water, sewer, and gas. Is it 500 or 600 customers and some 268 not billed? LOL!!!
Where do they post the meetings? They hold these meetings that are suspiciously low in public attendance….
Should be revoked by whoever revokes town charters.