Commissioner Conrad has proposed an alternative to initiating a property tax. He outlines that position here. It involves a short term stop gap measure to address the capital fund deficit of just over a million dollars by borrowing from the general fund and cutting 600,000 in capital projects. Long term he proposes “A Home Rule Charter that would give us the option to explore an increase in the Earned Income Tax (EIT)”.
I am open to serious exploration of the proposed long term fix come January. Philosophically I agree with Conrad’s assertion that property tax disproportionately impacts homeowners, especially seniors. I have questions regarding the proposed short term fix. At this point I do not support borrowing from the general fund. I’m interested in more information and public debate on additional cuts to the capital budget. I’m looking forward to the discussion on Dec. 5th BOC meeting and appreciate Conrad looping Brian Higgins and I into the conversation.
In the meantime, I wanted to do a post about “Home Rule Charter” since this is at the heart of Conrad’s proposed long term fix. Here is the long version. Below I’ve taken my best crack at summarizing.
What is a home rule Charter?
The basic concept of home rule is simple. It’s the details and how you get there where it gets really complicated. Home rule means shifting of responsibility for local government from the State Legislature (via first class code) to the local community. Here in LMT we are currently governed by the 1st class township code. Choosing home rule would allow us to tailor our governmental organization and powers to suit our special needs. At least that’s the argument in favor.
Why is it being considered now?
This isn’t the first time Home Rule has come up in LMT. There was a discussion of the merits and move to explore it during the conversion to first class in 2008-2009. The current conversation is centered around the ability to raise EIT. Currently, we have maxed out our ability to raise EIT as an alternative to property tax based on what is allowed under 1st class township code. Home rule would allow us more flexibility.
How would we move forward?
It is not a quick process. It is complicated by design. State law allows for government study commissions. This is something that can be placed on a ballot, created by ordinance or started via petition. If agreement is reached by gov’t study commission the commission can then draft a Home Rule Charter. Again, a very complicated time consuming task. We’d be essentially drafting a new legal framework for our local gov’t that would replace the framework of the 1st class code.
Once a charter is drafted, it goes to the residents for approval by popular vote. This does not happen quickly.
