August 9, 2018 500 AM
Noticias Breves
PRESIDIO – A proposal has been put forth to establish Presidio as a home rule city. The establishment of home rule would allow the citizens of the city to manage their own affairs with minimum interference from the state.
“A home rule charter allows you to be the legislators of your town,” said Jose Portillo, Presidio City Administrator. “We can create laws that better fit our needs.”
A home rule city can pass any regulations or laws it deems necessary unless the state law prohibits it.
In order for a city to be home rule, the population has to reach 5,000 and there has to be an election ratifying a city charter. The citizens of a home rule city are free to decide their form of municipal government, choose between a large or small city council, and decide whether their mayor is elected directly by voters, selected from among members of the council, or chosen by another method. Rather than the current at-large election of council members by simple majority, voters could decide on single member districts.
If the council agrees to move forward with home rule, then the initiative will be placed on the ballot in November.
“We have a short window to get this done,” said Portillo.
