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Home Rule Governance
Recently, the Town Board has been exploring the option of switching Monument’s form of local government from Statutory Rule to Home Rule. Colorado communities are allowed to be either. The process to make the change takes about a year and involves a large amount of resident involvement.
What would Home Rule governance mean for the Town of Monument?
The Board of Trustees is beginning to explore changing the Town’s form of local government from Statutory Rule to Home Rule. The nearly yearlong process includes community participation with opportunities for community member’s input.
What is Home Rule Authority?
Municipal Home Rule is a form of government under the control of local citizens rather than state government. Home Rule and local control is in our state’s constitution and is based upon the belief that the best government is that which is closest to the people.
Currently, as a Statutory Town, the state legislature sets the parameters by which the elected Board of Trustees has authority to develop local ordinances to address the needs of the residents of Monument. Moving to a Home Rule form of government creates better efficiencies in Town operations and improves the ability to protect and preserve the community.
Home Rule Facts:
93% of Colorado municipal residents live in a Home Rule community. These communities operate under a Charter written by local citizens elected to a Charter Commission. A charter establishes the city's form of government and specifies certain rights and responsibilities. As an independent body, the charter commission represents citizen viewpoints and considers and recommends appropriate revisions to the charter, balancing the best interests of city government and the citizens. Home Rule municipalities have the power to make relevant legislature and exercise control over issues of “local concern” with minimal state intervention. Federal and state laws that address matters beyond local concern still apply, including Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). Home Rule would give the Town more flexibility and control to address foreseeable changes and citizen desires.
- How would changing to Home Rule affect me?
- Why should Monument change to Home Rule now?
- What is the cost of changing to Home Rule?
- How would Home Rule affect streets and traffic management?
- How would Home Rule affect zoning and development?
- Will changing to Home Rule make it easier for the Town to raise my taxes?
- What are the limits of Home Rule?
- Are there disadvantages to changing to Home Rule?
- Are there other communities that are Home Rule?
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☑ Town Board Initiates Home Rule Process
• The Monument Board of Trustees looks to adopt a resolution to set the ballot measure and to form the charter commission by the end of July.
• The special election to be held in coordination with the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder will be on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
☑ Community Engagement and Education
• During the phase prior to the ballot certification in July, the Town will work to educate the community about all aspects of Home Rule and the process required to move to Home Rule governance with community events and outreach.
☑ Election to Approve Home Rule Process & Elect Charter Commission Members
• Residents will vote in November 2021 whether to move towards Home Rule and elect members to serve on the Charter Commission.
☑ Charter Commission Work Begins
• Based on a vote of the Town in November 2021 if the result is in favor of moving toward Home Rule.
☑ Charter Commission Public Hearing
• The Home Rule Charter Commission will hold at least one public hearing prior to Town Board presentation in the Spring of 2022 (deadline for Town Board approval)
☑ Election to Adopt the Town Charter
• Residents will vote to approve the Charter. If the vote passes, the Town of Monument will be governed by its new Charter effective at the time established in the charter.
• If the proposed charter is rejected by the voters, the Charter Commission will reconvene, revise the Charter, and submit the revised Charter to Council, following the same timeline outlined above. Council will then call for an election on the revised charter, as outlined above.
How Do I Get Involved?
- Sign up for our e-Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the process.
- Run to be on the Charter Commission - Printable Charter Commission Nomination Guide (PDF will open in new tab)
- Check out additional information on Home Rule through the Colorado Municipal League presentation at: https://www.cml.org/
- Watch the Home Rule presentation from the April 5th Board of Trustees meeting: Video Starting at minute 40:10
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