Auburn postpones controversial city charter change

The Auburn City Council is ignoring the will of citizens'. The Auburn City Council is about to change our city charter to eliminate portions of a referendum that was approved in 1998. The new intent is to hold two public hearings to change the charter rather than holding a referendum and then send the proposed changes to the State Legislature for approval. At stake is approving the issuance of bonds requested by the newly formed DDA that is currently prohibited within our charter. Although the word "referendum" is mentioned, striking any clause in the city charter that would require a referendum would eliminate citizen opposition but not the associated possible tax increases. The referendum approved in 1998 attracted the largest number of voters ever recorded in Auburn at that time for a reason, to prevent actions such as the action that will soon take place unless we protest.

Of particular importance is the striking (elimination) of the Municipal Debts referendum clause and the Municipal Utilities clause (approved via a 9/19/98 referendum) by holding two public hearings rather than a referendum. The current wording of the charter is, "(c) The powers of the governing body of this city shall be limited in that any powers enumerated in subsections (c)(A)--(C) of this section must be placed on a referendum and approved by a two-thirds majority of those voting." The stricken wording would be replaced by, "A proposed change to..." of those voting "prior to council taking action."

Eliminating the Municipal Debts referendum clause from our charter gives this and future city councils carte blanche to approve the issuance of bonds to carry out any project, program or venture they so desire without input or approval from citizens except via two public hearings. What vehicle contained within this charter, lacking the ability to require a referendum, will prevent any council from eliminating the Powers and Construction section of our charter (or any section of the charter) altogether via two public hearings?

Further the addition of the Powers and Duties of the City Administrator section to our city charter and its wording defeats the purpose of hiring a city administrator. Read the job description of a City Administrator on the Georgia Municipal Association web site, http://www.gmanet.com/JobDescriptions.aspx. Read the proposed job description of the new Auburn City Administrator on the unofficial Auburn web site and you will find he lacks teeth in hiring and firing of department heads and is named as Chief Executive Officer of Auburn rather than our elected mayor.

A city exists to serve its citizens; citizens do not exist to serve a city. Contact our State Legislator, Terry England englandhomeport2@alltel.net, and object to these changes in our charter or lose your voice in city government. Contact the mayor and city council to object to these changes. Don't expect a reply except from Councilwoman Sally Brown.