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Full Charter Review Approved by Pensacola City Council

A Full Charter review has been approved by the Pensacola City Council for the first time since home rule was implemented in the State of Florida in 1973. The efforts of the Pensacola Bay Area League were crucial in obtaining this vital review.

In the course of seeking to amend the charter referendum election provision, the League learned that the Charter had never been reviewed, that there is no charter review provision, and that the charter is a patchwork of ordinances and repealed sections, with few actual charter provisions. By persuading the group currently seeking to change the form of city government that any such change should be the result of comprehensive charter review and revision, the League was able to obtain support for full charter review.

The City Manager is now drafting a proposal for Council concerning the selection and staffing of a body to review and propose changes to the Charter. The League supports the selection of a body that fairly represents the diversity of the City of Pensacola and includes persons who understand municipal government, in particular, and the fundamental principles of good government, in general.

There is also renewed discussion concerning consolidation of city and county government. Budget constraints, the costs of duplication, and recent ethics issues have given new impetus to the consideration of consolidation.

Both charter review and the consideration of consolidation present great opportunities for the improvement of local government. The Pensacola Bay Area League plans to participate in, and facilitate, both the review and the discussion.