Lakewood Charter Change: Issue 71

 approved a proposal in July that includes eight changes to the city's Second Amended Charter. 

Those  are now headed for the Nov. 8 ballot, where voters will decide whether they approve.

Issue 71 is a proposed change that would clarify its "home rule authority" to limit the duties imposed by the law director.

The question on the ballot: 

Shall Article VII, Section 2, Duties Imposed by State Law, of the Second Amended Charter of the City of Lakewood be amended to clarify that the City may use its home rule authority to limit, as necessary, the duties imposed upon its Law Director?

The charter currently reads: 

ARTICLE VII. DEPARTMENT OF LAW

Section 2. Duties Imposed by State Law. & In addition to the duties imposed upon the Director of Law by this Charter or required of him or her by ordinance, the Director shall perform the duties that are imposed upon city directors of law by general law, beyond the competence of this Charter to alter or require.

The charter would read: 

ARTICLE VII. DEPARTMENT OF LAW

Section 2. Duties Imposed by General Law & In addition to the duties imposed upon the Director of Law by this Charter or required of him or her by ordinance, the Director shall perform the duties that are imposed upon city directors of law by general law, except as may be limited by Council.

Comment from Lakewood Law Director Kevin Butler: 

This charter change would further strengthen the city’s home rule authority, making it explicitly clear that Council may restrict dues imposed on the law director by state law if Council deems it necessary to rein in those duties.