§ 3.03. —POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL OF COMMISSIONERS  


Latest version.
  • The Council of Commissioners shall be the legislative and policy determining body of the City-County. Except as otherwise provided by this Charter, the Council of Commissioners shall have all legislative powers and duties conferred on counties and cities which include but are not limited to, the power and duty:

    (a)

    to adopt ordinances and resolutions;

    (b)

    to establish and prescribe the functions of departments, offices or agencies by ordinance or resolution in addition to those created by this Charter;

    (c)

    to employ an attorney for purposes which the Council of Commissioners deems necessary;

    (d)

    to provide for an independent audit of the finances of the local government;

    (e)

    to authorize community councils to advise the Council of Commissioners;

    (f)

    to adopt an administrative code to establish duties consistent with law and to establish and regulate administrative procedures of appointed and elected officers;

    (g)

    to discharge all legislative duties required by state law for boards of county commissioners in county governments and of city councils in city governments;

    (h)

    to adopt by ordinance either county or municipal provisions as set forth in state law for finance, accounting, budget, elections, issuance of bonds, creation of special districts, levying of taxes, planning and zoning, and provision of services. The Council shall provide that all functions mandated upon either cities or counties shall be complied with.

    (i)

    to approve the budget; however, the Council of Commissioners shall not levy in excess of the maximum number of mills provided by state law for the operation of unified local governments with general government powers. Should an increase in mill levies greater than the maximum number provided by state law be deemed necessary, said increase must be submitted to, and approved by a majority of the electorate voting on the question.

    (j)

    to eliminate a local office or department by ordinance if state law eliminates such local office or department or if state law changes the name of a local office or department, the Council of Commissioners may change the name appropriately by ordinance, all without the necessity of amending this Charter.

    (k)

    to cooperate and enter into agreements with other governmental units and agencies.

    (l)

    to evaluate annually the success of the government in achieving the goals set by the Chief Executive pursuant to Section 4.02 of this Charter and publishing the results of its evaluation in a local newspaper of paid general circulation.

(Amendment adopted at referendum 11-7-2006)