06 LC 36
0049
House
Bill 1298
By:
Representative Hanner of the
148th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
create and establish the Preston-Weston-Webster County Charter and Unification
Commission; to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to provide
for the appointment of the members of said commission; to provide for the
organizational meeting of the charter and unification commission and for the
election of a chairperson; to provide for the powers and duties of said
commission; to provide that the charter and unification commission shall be
authorized to employ a staff to assist it in carrying out its powers and duties;
to provide for the expenses of the charter and unification commission and for
the payment of those expenses by the governing authorities of the City of
Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster; to provide that said
commission shall be authorized to study all matters relating to the governments
of the County of Webster, the City of Preston, and the City of Weston and all
matters relating to the establishment of a single county-wide government with
powers and jurisdiction throughout the territorial limits of Webster County; to
provide for the submission of such proposed county-wide government charter to
the qualified voters for approval or rejection; to provide for the conduct of
such election and for the certification of the results thereof; to provide for
all procedures and other matters connected with the foregoing; to provide an
effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
This
Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Preston-Weston-Webster County
Charter and Unification Commission Act" and is enacted pursuant to the authority
granted by Article IX, Section III, Paragraph II of the Constitution of the
State of Georgia.
SECTION
2.
As
used in this Act, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them
unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1)
"Charter and unification commission" or "commission" shall mean the
Preston-Weston-Webster County Charter and Unification Commission provided for in
this Act.
(2)
"Governing authority of the City of Preston" shall mean the mayor and city
council of the City of Preston, a municipal corporation of the State of
Georgia.
(3)
"Governing authority of the City of Weston" shall mean the mayor and city
council of the City of Weston, a municipal corporation of the State of
Georgia.
(4)
"Governing authority of the County of Webster" shall mean the Board of
Commissioners of Webster County, a political subdivision of the State of
Georgia.
SECTION
3.
(a)
There is created the Preston-Weston-Webster County Charter and Unification
Commission, which shall consist of nine members to be appointed within 30 days
of the effective date of this Act as provided in this
section.
(b) The governing authority of the City of Preston shall appoint two members to the charter and unification commission who shall be citizens of the City of Preston at the time of such appointment and for the duration of their respective terms as members of such commission.
(c) The governing authority of the City of Weston shall appoint one member to the charter and unification commission who shall be a citizen of the City of Weston at the time of such appointment and for the duration of his or her term as a member of such commission.
(d) The governing authority of the County of Webster shall appoint four members to the charter and unification commission who shall be citizens of unincorporated Webster County at the time of such appointment and for the duration of their respective terms as members of such commission.
(e) The seven members of the charter and unification commission provided for in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section shall jointly appoint two members to the Charter unification commission who shall be citizens of Webster County at the time of such appointment and for the duration of their entire terms as members of such commission.
(f) If a governing authority or the commission refuses or fails to appoint a member of the commission as required by this section, the senior superior court judge of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit shall make such appointment within ten days following the expiration of the 30 day period allowed for appointments provided for in subsection (a) of this section.
(g) No member of the charter and unification commission shall hold any other elective public office.
(h) To be eligible for appointment as a member of the charter and unification commission, a person must be at least 21 years of age and shall have been a resident of the State of Georgia for a period of at least five years and registered as an elector to vote in Webster County for a period of at least two years prior to his or her appointment.
(i) If a member of the charter and unification commission should die, become disabled, remove his or her residence and place of domicile to a place outside the territorial limits of the appointing jurisdiction, resign, or become unable or decline to serve for any reason whatever as a member of the charter and unification commission, said commission shall declare a vacancy in his or her office as a member of such commission and within 15 days thereafter the governing authority that appointed that member or the commission, if the member was appointed by the commission, shall appoint a successor promptly to fill such vacancy.
(j) A certificate of appointment shall be issued by the appointing entity of each member of the charter and unification commission and filed in the office of the Probate Court of Webster County with a duplicate original of such certificate being transmitted to, and filed with, the chairperson or the secretary of the charter and unification commission.
(k) A majority of the members of the charter and unification commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Such quorum shall not be applicable with respect to any committees or subcommittees which, at the discretion of the charter and unification commission, may be appointed. A majority of the members of each such committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of its business.
(l) The charter and unification commission may appoint advisory committees or subcommittees from among the general populace to advise it with respect to its work; provided, however, that the charter and unification commission may not delegate any of the duties, powers, or obligations imposed upon the commission and granted to it by this Act to any such advisory committee or subcommittee. Any such advisory committee or subcommittee so appointed shall serve at the discretion of the commission and shall serve subject to such terms, conditions, and charges as may be imposed upon it by the commission.
(m) All persons who shall, from time to time, serve as members of the charter and unification commission or its committees or subcommittees and all agents, employees, and staff appointed or hired by the charter and unification commission from time to time shall be afforded coverage and shall be included in the insured class, under the provision of such policies, riders, or other insurance contracts from time to time in force and held by the governing authority of the County of Webster, extending to members of such governing authority of the County of Webster, and what is commonly referred to as "public officiaĺs liability insurance coverage," to the same extent and as nearly as practicable with identical coverage and limits as afforded to the individual members of the governing authority of the County of Webster. Any and all additional premium amounts payable by the County of Webster due to the extension of such coverage to the members of the charter and unification commission and its appointees, agents, employees, and staff shall be paid, when due and payable, one-third by the County of Webster, one-third by the City of Preston, and one-third by the City of Weston, which payments shall be made in addition to all other amounts otherwise payable under the provisions of this Act.
(n) The governing authority of the County of Webster, the governing authority of the City of Preston, the governing authority of the City of Weston, and the governing authority of any county-wide government created under a charter adopted pursuant to this Act are authorized and directed to expend funds for fees, costs, and expenses incurred in providing for the defense of the members of the charter and unification commission arising out of their activity as members of such commission and in providing for the defense of any proposed charter submitted by the commission, whether prior to the referendum thereon or after the referendum thereon is conducted.
(b) The governing authority of the City of Preston shall appoint two members to the charter and unification commission who shall be citizens of the City of Preston at the time of such appointment and for the duration of their respective terms as members of such commission.
(c) The governing authority of the City of Weston shall appoint one member to the charter and unification commission who shall be a citizen of the City of Weston at the time of such appointment and for the duration of his or her term as a member of such commission.
(d) The governing authority of the County of Webster shall appoint four members to the charter and unification commission who shall be citizens of unincorporated Webster County at the time of such appointment and for the duration of their respective terms as members of such commission.
(e) The seven members of the charter and unification commission provided for in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section shall jointly appoint two members to the Charter unification commission who shall be citizens of Webster County at the time of such appointment and for the duration of their entire terms as members of such commission.
(f) If a governing authority or the commission refuses or fails to appoint a member of the commission as required by this section, the senior superior court judge of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit shall make such appointment within ten days following the expiration of the 30 day period allowed for appointments provided for in subsection (a) of this section.
(g) No member of the charter and unification commission shall hold any other elective public office.
(h) To be eligible for appointment as a member of the charter and unification commission, a person must be at least 21 years of age and shall have been a resident of the State of Georgia for a period of at least five years and registered as an elector to vote in Webster County for a period of at least two years prior to his or her appointment.
(i) If a member of the charter and unification commission should die, become disabled, remove his or her residence and place of domicile to a place outside the territorial limits of the appointing jurisdiction, resign, or become unable or decline to serve for any reason whatever as a member of the charter and unification commission, said commission shall declare a vacancy in his or her office as a member of such commission and within 15 days thereafter the governing authority that appointed that member or the commission, if the member was appointed by the commission, shall appoint a successor promptly to fill such vacancy.
(j) A certificate of appointment shall be issued by the appointing entity of each member of the charter and unification commission and filed in the office of the Probate Court of Webster County with a duplicate original of such certificate being transmitted to, and filed with, the chairperson or the secretary of the charter and unification commission.
(k) A majority of the members of the charter and unification commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Such quorum shall not be applicable with respect to any committees or subcommittees which, at the discretion of the charter and unification commission, may be appointed. A majority of the members of each such committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of its business.
(l) The charter and unification commission may appoint advisory committees or subcommittees from among the general populace to advise it with respect to its work; provided, however, that the charter and unification commission may not delegate any of the duties, powers, or obligations imposed upon the commission and granted to it by this Act to any such advisory committee or subcommittee. Any such advisory committee or subcommittee so appointed shall serve at the discretion of the commission and shall serve subject to such terms, conditions, and charges as may be imposed upon it by the commission.
(m) All persons who shall, from time to time, serve as members of the charter and unification commission or its committees or subcommittees and all agents, employees, and staff appointed or hired by the charter and unification commission from time to time shall be afforded coverage and shall be included in the insured class, under the provision of such policies, riders, or other insurance contracts from time to time in force and held by the governing authority of the County of Webster, extending to members of such governing authority of the County of Webster, and what is commonly referred to as "public officiaĺs liability insurance coverage," to the same extent and as nearly as practicable with identical coverage and limits as afforded to the individual members of the governing authority of the County of Webster. Any and all additional premium amounts payable by the County of Webster due to the extension of such coverage to the members of the charter and unification commission and its appointees, agents, employees, and staff shall be paid, when due and payable, one-third by the County of Webster, one-third by the City of Preston, and one-third by the City of Weston, which payments shall be made in addition to all other amounts otherwise payable under the provisions of this Act.
(n) The governing authority of the County of Webster, the governing authority of the City of Preston, the governing authority of the City of Weston, and the governing authority of any county-wide government created under a charter adopted pursuant to this Act are authorized and directed to expend funds for fees, costs, and expenses incurred in providing for the defense of the members of the charter and unification commission arising out of their activity as members of such commission and in providing for the defense of any proposed charter submitted by the commission, whether prior to the referendum thereon or after the referendum thereon is conducted.
SECTION
4.
(a)
The charter and unification commission shall hold an organizational meeting not
less than 30 days nor more than 45 days after the date this Act becomes
effective. Any three or more members of the charter and unification commission,
composed of at least one member appointed by the governing authority of the City
of Preston, one member appointed by the governing authority of the City of
Weston, and one member appointed by the governing authority of the County of
Webster, shall call such organizational meeting. The call of such
organizational meeting shall designate the time, date, and place that such
organizational meeting shall be
held.
(b) The first order of business at the organizational meeting shall be the designation, by the majority vote of those members present, of a temporary chairperson to preside until a permanent chairperson is elected. The second order of business at the organizational meeting shall be the election of a permanent chairperson, who shall be elected by the majority vote of all members of the charter and unification commission.
(c) The charter and unification commission shall be authorized to elect a secretary, who need not be a member of the commission, and such other officers from the membership of the charter and unification commission as it shall deem necessary. The charter and unification commission shall be further authorized to employ such staff as may be required to assist it in studying all matters relating to the governments of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster and in drafting a charter. The charter and unification commission shall not employ any person who holds any elective public office.
(d) The members of the charter and unification commission shall not receive per diem or other compensation for their services, but the members shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties. The staff employed by the commission shall be paid compensation as determined by the commission within the limits of funds available to it. The governing authority of the City of Preston, the governing authority of the City of Weston, and the governing authority of the County of Webster are authorized to expend public funds in carrying out the provisions of this Act and shall share equally the expense thereof. The governing authority of the City of Preston, the governing authority of the City of Weston, and the governing authority of the County of Webster shall initially appropriate up to $5,000.00 for the charter and unification commission and the treasurer or other fiscal authority of each of those governing authorities shall honor, from time to time, vouchers or warrants signed by the chairperson of the charter and unification commission for amounts up to an aggregate total of such amount. The governing authorities shall appropriate such additional funds in equal amounts as may be necessary to meet the expenses of the charter and unification commission, provided that such additional expenditures shall be first approved by each of the governing authorities.
(e) The charter and unification commission is also authorized to solicit, receive, and expend contributions, grants, gifts, and other funds from other sources to be utilized by it in the conduct of its business.
(f) All public officials and employees of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster upon request shall furnish the charter and unification commission with all documents, books, records, data, and information necessary or appropriate in the opinion of the charter and unification commission for it to carry out its duties, except for information that is confidential or privileged by law; shall furnish such other assistance and aid to the commission as it shall request; and shall appear and give testimony, at the request of the commission, before the commission or before any of its committees, subcommittees, or advisory committees.
(b) The first order of business at the organizational meeting shall be the designation, by the majority vote of those members present, of a temporary chairperson to preside until a permanent chairperson is elected. The second order of business at the organizational meeting shall be the election of a permanent chairperson, who shall be elected by the majority vote of all members of the charter and unification commission.
(c) The charter and unification commission shall be authorized to elect a secretary, who need not be a member of the commission, and such other officers from the membership of the charter and unification commission as it shall deem necessary. The charter and unification commission shall be further authorized to employ such staff as may be required to assist it in studying all matters relating to the governments of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster and in drafting a charter. The charter and unification commission shall not employ any person who holds any elective public office.
(d) The members of the charter and unification commission shall not receive per diem or other compensation for their services, but the members shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties. The staff employed by the commission shall be paid compensation as determined by the commission within the limits of funds available to it. The governing authority of the City of Preston, the governing authority of the City of Weston, and the governing authority of the County of Webster are authorized to expend public funds in carrying out the provisions of this Act and shall share equally the expense thereof. The governing authority of the City of Preston, the governing authority of the City of Weston, and the governing authority of the County of Webster shall initially appropriate up to $5,000.00 for the charter and unification commission and the treasurer or other fiscal authority of each of those governing authorities shall honor, from time to time, vouchers or warrants signed by the chairperson of the charter and unification commission for amounts up to an aggregate total of such amount. The governing authorities shall appropriate such additional funds in equal amounts as may be necessary to meet the expenses of the charter and unification commission, provided that such additional expenditures shall be first approved by each of the governing authorities.
(e) The charter and unification commission is also authorized to solicit, receive, and expend contributions, grants, gifts, and other funds from other sources to be utilized by it in the conduct of its business.
(f) All public officials and employees of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster upon request shall furnish the charter and unification commission with all documents, books, records, data, and information necessary or appropriate in the opinion of the charter and unification commission for it to carry out its duties, except for information that is confidential or privileged by law; shall furnish such other assistance and aid to the commission as it shall request; and shall appear and give testimony, at the request of the commission, before the commission or before any of its committees, subcommittees, or advisory committees.
SECTION
5.
The
commission shall be authorized to study all matters relating to the governments
of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster and all
matters relating to the establishment of a single county-wide government with
powers and jurisdiction throughout the territorial limits of Webster County.
The commission shall upon completion of its study issue a written report of its
findings, conclusions, and recommendations. If, after conducting such study,
the charter and unification commission shall deem it to be in the best interests
of the governments proposed to be affected, the commission shall draft a
proposed charter creating a single county-wide government, and if such charter
is approved by the voters under the provisions of this Act, then the newly
created county-wide government shall supersede and replace the existing
governments of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of
Webster and may also supersede and replace any public authorities and special
service districts located and operating within Webster County. If the charter
and unification commission does not deem it to be in the best interests of the
governments proposed to be affected to recommend the establishment of a single
county-wide government but concludes from its study that it is feasible to
consolidate specific governmental services, programs, and activities, then the
commission may issue such findings, conclusions, and recommendations in writing
together with reasons why such recommendations will make government operations
more efficient.
SECTION
6.
(a)
The charter so drafted shall be submitted to the qualified voters of Webster
County for approval or rejection of the referendum provided for in Section 10 of
this Act.
(b) The General Assembly delegates its powers to the charter and unification commission to draft such a charter which may include any provisions necessary to effectuate its purposes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the proposed charter may provide for any one or more of the items listed below. Where it is indicated that an item shall be included, the inclusion of that particular item shall be mandatory:
(b) The General Assembly delegates its powers to the charter and unification commission to draft such a charter which may include any provisions necessary to effectuate its purposes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the proposed charter may provide for any one or more of the items listed below. Where it is indicated that an item shall be included, the inclusion of that particular item shall be mandatory:
(1)
The charter shall provide for the abolishment of the existing governments of the
City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster and for the
creation of a new single government which may have all powers formerly exercised
by the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster and such
other powers as may be necessary or desirable. The new single government may be
given, and may have, such rights, privileges, exemptions, preferences,
discretions, immunities, powers, duties, and liabilities as are now or hereafter
granted to, or vested in, municipalities or counties or both by the Constitution
and laws of the State of Georgia. The form and composition of the new
government shall be as the charter shall provide;
(2)
The charter may authorize the new government to continue to be eligible to have,
hold, enjoy, and be entitled to any assistance, credits, benefits, moneys,
grants, grants-in-aid, funds, loans, aid, appropriations, and matching funds to
the same extent that any municipality or county of the State of Georgia now or
may hereafter enjoy or possess under the Constitution and laws of the State of
Georgia or by other provisions of law or under any present or future state or
federal programs;
(3)
The charter may provide for the abolishment, modification, consolidation, or
merger of any court unless otherwise prohibited by the Constitution or general
law;
(4)
The charter may provide for the abolishment, modification, consolidation, or
merger of any public authorities and special service districts located within
Webster County created by law and for the transfer of any powers, duties, and
obligations of such authorities and districts to the new county-wide government
or to any agency thereof or from one such authority or special service district
to another in such manner as the charter shall provide unless otherwise
prohibited by the Constitution or general law;
(5)
The charter may provide for the abolishment, modification, consolidation, or
merger of any one or more public offices or positions of public employment of
any municipality merged in the county-wide government and the County of Webster
and any public authorities or special service districts located or operating
within Webster County unless otherwise prohibited by the Constitution or general
law. The charter may provide for administrative division or changes with
reference to the duties and responsibilities of any public office or official as
the charter and unification commission shall deem necessary for the efficient
functioning of the new county-wide government;
(6)
The charter shall provide for the creation of the governing authority of the new
county-wide government, including the number of members of the governing
authority, their powers, duties, terms of office, manner, and time of election
or appointment, compensation, method of removal, and all other matters
incidental or necessary to the creation of the county-wide governing authority.
The charter shall provide for the name or names of the new county-wide
government and governing authority;
(7)
The charter may provide for the creation of the various departments, boards,
bureaus, offices, commissions, and positions of public employment of the new
county-wide government and for any matters necessary or incidental
thereto;
(8)
The charter shall provide for the creation of special tax districts consisting
of the territory lying within the former boundaries of the affected governments
for the purpose of the successor county-wide government levying a tax therein
sufficient to retire any bonded indebtedness of such governments which is
outstanding on the effective date of the abolishment of such
government;
(9)
The charter may provide for the assumption by the new government of all bonded
indebtedness and all other obligations of whatever kind of all governmental
units, public authorities, and special service districts which are altered by
the charter and a method by which the new county-wide government shall assume
the payment of any obligations issued under Article 3 of Chapter 82 of Title 36
of the O.C.G.A., the "Revenue Bond Law," or other similar
legislation;
(10)
The charter may provide for the transfer to the new county-wide government of
assets, contracts, and franchises of all governmental units and any public
authorities and special service districts which are merged with the new
county-wide government or are altered by the charter;
(11)
The charter may provide the purposes for which the new county-wide government or
governing authority or any agency thereof may levy taxes;
(12)
The charter shall provide for the method or methods by which it may be amended.
The General Assembly expressly reserves the right to amend any charter adopted
pursuant to this Act. The charter may provide for an additional method or
methods by which the charter may be amended and shall provide for any amendments
adopted by any such other method or methods to be filed with the Secretary of
State so that they may be published in the
Georgia
Laws;
(13)
The charter shall provide for the repeal of conflicting laws; and
(14)
The charter may contain such other provisions as are necessary and needful to
achieve the objectives of consolidation of the governments and functions of the
City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster and the creation
of a successor government.
(c)
The following additional provisions shall govern proceedings of the charter and
unification commission and any successor county-wide government created by a
charter drafted by the commission:
(1)
The charter and unification commission is authorized to contract with any public
or private institution or body, including the Carl Vinson Institute of
Government, for any special studies or assistance it deems necessary, subject to
the limitation that any expenditure therefor shall be within the limits of the
funds made available to the commission by the respective governing authorities;
and
(2)
Any successor government created and established shall, without the necessity or
formality of deed, bill of sale, or other instrument of transfer, be and become
the owner of all property, assets, and rights previously belonging to the City
of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster and any other
authorities or special service districts merged into the new
government.
(d)
The charter and unification commission shall have all the powers of the superior
courts to compel the attendance of witnesses before the commission and any of
its committees, subcommittees, or advisory committees; to compel witnesses to
testify thereat; and to subpoena any person or entity and all such books,
records, data, papers, documents, and other tangible items which may be deemed
by the commission to be material to any question or issue deemed by it to be
relevant to the duties or prerogatives imposed upon or granted to the commission
by this Act. Such subpoenas shall be issued in the name of the commission,
shall be signed by either the chairperson or the secretary of the commission,
and shall be served in the manner provided by law for the service of subpoenas
in civil cases pending in the superior courts. Witnesses subject to such
subpoenas shall be entitled to the same compensation as witnesses attending
superior court, which compensation shall be collected in the same manner as that
of witnesses in the superior courts except that such compensation shall be paid
from funds of the commission. Should any such subpoenaed person or witness fail
or refuse to answer questions propounded or fail or refuse to produce any books,
records, data, papers, documents, or other tangible items required to be
produced by the commission, except upon a legal excuse which would relieve such
person of such obligation in a civil case pending in the superior court, the
person so failing or refusing shall be guilty of contempt and may be cited by
the commission to appear before a judge of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit.
The judge of such court shall have the same power and jurisdiction to punish the
person cited for contempt and to require and compel the attendance, the giving
of testimony, or the production of items as in cases of contempt committed in
the presence of the court and as in cases pending before the
court.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, the charter and unification commission and the charter proposed by the commission and subsequently adopted may not:
(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, the charter and unification commission and the charter proposed by the commission and subsequently adopted may not:
(1)
Alter or affect the status of the Webster County School System or the Webster
County Board of Education or any provision of the Constitution or laws of the
State of Georgia by which the Webster County School System is constituted,
empowered, or preserved or to transfer any of its powers, duties, or
obligations;
(2)
Impair or diminish any pension or retirement rights; or
(3)
Abolish the office of sheriff, clerk of court, or tax commissioner.
(f)
None of the foregoing limitations shall be construed as prohibiting the General
Assembly from exercising any legislative power with respect to any municipality
electing to be excluded as provided in this Act or the school district, board of
education, industrial development authority, office of sheriff, clerk of
superior court, or tax commissioner, pension rights, and homestead exemptions
which existed prior to the adoption of this
Act.
(g) The powers granted in this Act to the charter and unification commission by the General Assembly are remedial in nature and shall be liberally construed to effectuate their purpose.
(g) The powers granted in this Act to the charter and unification commission by the General Assembly are remedial in nature and shall be liberally construed to effectuate their purpose.
SECTION
7.
(a)
The charter and unification commission shall be required to hold at least two
public hearings to determine the sentiment of the citizens of the City of
Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster regarding the work of the
charter and unification commission. The first public hearing shall be held
within 30 days of the issuance of the
commissiońs
final written report on the feasibility of establishing a single county-wide
government within Webster County, and a second public hearing shall be held
within 15 days of the submission of any proposed charter for such consolidated
government to the Webster County Board of Elections. The charter and
unification commission is authorized to hold more than two public hearings if it
determines that additional public hearings are desirable. The charter and
unification commission shall cause the date, time, and place of each such
hearing to be advertised in the official organ of Webster County twice during
the week next preceding the week in which the public hearing is held. The
charter and unification commission shall cause to be made a transcript of each
public hearing held and shall file the same in its minutes and
records.
(b) Following issuance of the commissiońs final written report, the governing authorities of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster shall each hold and conduct a public hearing to determine the sentiments of their citizens regarding the work of the charter and unification commission. Notice of such hearings shall be advertised in the same manner as required for hearings held by the charter and unification commission. Representatives of the charter and unification commission shall be invited to present the final report to such governing authorities.
(b) Following issuance of the commissiońs final written report, the governing authorities of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster shall each hold and conduct a public hearing to determine the sentiments of their citizens regarding the work of the charter and unification commission. Notice of such hearings shall be advertised in the same manner as required for hearings held by the charter and unification commission. Representatives of the charter and unification commission shall be invited to present the final report to such governing authorities.
SECTION
8.
(a)
The charter and unification commission shall complete its studies and shall
prepare, complete, and file any proposed charter no later than August 31, 2008;
provided, however, that the above-described time period may be extended for such
additional periods of time as may be authorized by resolutions duly adopted by
the governing authority of the City of Preston, the governing authority of the
City of Weston, and the governing authority of the County of Webster and may
also be extended by an Act of the General Assembly and shall be automatically
extended for a period of time equal to the period of time that any proposed
charter shall be under consideration by the United States Department of Justice
or by any courts.
(b) Certified copies of the charter shall be filed by the charter and unification commission with the clerks or secretaries of the governing authorities of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster and shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairperson of the charter and unification commission. Such copies shall be public records and shall be available for inspection or examination by any interested person.
(c) The charter and unification commission shall also make available a copy of the charter to every daily or weekly newspaper published in Webster County and to each radio or television station operating within the county. The commission shall take such other steps, within the limitation of its available funds, as it deems reasonable and appropriate to inform the public throughout the county of the contents of the proposed charter. The charter and unification commission shall also cause a summary of the proposed charter to be printed in pamphlets or booklets and made available for general distribution throughout the county.
(d) The charter and unification commission is authorized to adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or desirable to carry out its powers and perform its duties and functions.
(e) Following the completion of the proposed charter by the charter and unification commission and prior to the time of filing or submission thereof as provided in this Act, the same shall be presented for review by the United States Department of Justice as may be required by law. The failure of any proposed charter submitted by the charter and unification commission to the Department of Justice to obtain preclearance by the Department of Justice shall not prevent the charter and unification commission from revising said charter in a manner so as to enable the proposed charter to meet Department of Justice objections with respect thereof, and the charter and unification commission is empowered to redraft any such proposed charter in such manner so as to meet requirements for the Department of Justicés approval in the event that any initial proposed charter fails to obtain Department of Justice approval.
(b) Certified copies of the charter shall be filed by the charter and unification commission with the clerks or secretaries of the governing authorities of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster and shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairperson of the charter and unification commission. Such copies shall be public records and shall be available for inspection or examination by any interested person.
(c) The charter and unification commission shall also make available a copy of the charter to every daily or weekly newspaper published in Webster County and to each radio or television station operating within the county. The commission shall take such other steps, within the limitation of its available funds, as it deems reasonable and appropriate to inform the public throughout the county of the contents of the proposed charter. The charter and unification commission shall also cause a summary of the proposed charter to be printed in pamphlets or booklets and made available for general distribution throughout the county.
(d) The charter and unification commission is authorized to adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or desirable to carry out its powers and perform its duties and functions.
(e) Following the completion of the proposed charter by the charter and unification commission and prior to the time of filing or submission thereof as provided in this Act, the same shall be presented for review by the United States Department of Justice as may be required by law. The failure of any proposed charter submitted by the charter and unification commission to the Department of Justice to obtain preclearance by the Department of Justice shall not prevent the charter and unification commission from revising said charter in a manner so as to enable the proposed charter to meet Department of Justice objections with respect thereof, and the charter and unification commission is empowered to redraft any such proposed charter in such manner so as to meet requirements for the Department of Justicés approval in the event that any initial proposed charter fails to obtain Department of Justice approval.
SECTION
9.
(a)
A certified copy of the proposed charter shall be submitted by the commission to
the election superintendent of Webster County, and it shall be the duty of such
superintendent to call and hold a referendum election for ratification or
rejection of the proposed charter as provided in Section 10 of this
Act.
(b) The charter and unification commission shall be abolished by operation of law at midnight of the day the results of the special referendum election on the proposed charter become final and effective pursuant to the laws of the State of Georgia.
(b) The charter and unification commission shall be abolished by operation of law at midnight of the day the results of the special referendum election on the proposed charter become final and effective pursuant to the laws of the State of Georgia.
SECTION
10.
(a)
As soon as practicable after receipt of the certified copy of the proposed
charter and after receipt of preclearance, or the usual notice of no current
objections, by the United States Department of Justice of such proposed charter,
it shall be the duty of the election superintendent of Webster County to call a
special election for approval or rejection of the proposed charter. The
election superintendent shall set the date of the election for the earliest date
therefor permissible under general law after the filing of any proposed charter
as provided for in Section 8 of this Act. The election superintendent shall
cause the date and purpose of the election to be published once a week for two
calendar weeks immediately preceding the date thereof in the official organ of
Webster County. The ballot shall have written or printed thereon the
following:
|
"(
) YES
( ) NO
|
Shall
the charter reorganizing and consolidating the governments of the City of
Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster and creating a single
county-wide government to supersede and replace those governments be
approved?"
|
(b)
All persons desiring to vote for approval of the charter shall vote "Yes," and
those persons desiring to vote for rejection of the charter shall vote "No."
The votes cast on such question by the qualified voters of Webster County
residing within the corporate limits of the City of Preston, the votes cast on
such question by the qualified voters of Webster County residing within the
corporate limits of the City of Weston, and the votes cast on such question by
the qualified voters of Webster County shall be counted separately. If more
than one-half of the votes cast by the qualified voters of Webster County
residing within the corporate limits of the City of Preston are for approval of
the charter, if more than one-half of the votes cast by the qualified voters of
Webster County residing within the corporate limits of the City of Weston are
for approval of the charter, and if more than one-half of the total votes cast
by the qualified voters residing within both the incorporated and unincorporated
areas of Webster County are for approval of the charter, then the charter shall
become effective. Otherwise, it shall be void and of no force and effect. The
expense of such election shall be borne equally by the City of Preston, the City
of Weston, and the County of
Webster.
(c) The special election shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the O.C.G.A., the "Georgia Election Code," except to the extent specifically provided otherwise by this Act.
(d) A qualified voter, as used in this Act, shall mean a voter of Webster County qualified to vote for members of the General Assembly of Georgia. The election superintendent shall certify the returns to the Secretary of State. The election superintendent shall also furnish a certified copy of the charter to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall issue his or her proclamation showing and declaring the result of the election on the approval or rejection of the charter. One copy of the proclamation shall be attached to the copy of the charter certified to the Secretary of State. One copy of the proclamation shall be delivered to the secretary or clerk of the governing authority of the City of Preston, who shall attach the same to the copy of the charter previously certified to him or her. One copy of the proclamation shall be delivered to the secretary or clerk of the governing authority of the City of Weston, who shall attach the same to the copy of the charter previously certified to him or her. One copy of the proclamation shall be delivered to the clerk of the governing authority of the County of Webster, who shall attach the same to the copy of the charter previously certified to him or her.
(e) Whenever a charter for the consolidation of the governments of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster has been adopted, the above-certified copies thereof, with the proclamation of the Secretary of State of Georgia attached thereto, shall be deemed duplicate original copies of the charter of the consolidated government for all purposes. The certified copy of the charter and proclamation deposited with the secretary or clerk of the governing authority of the City of Preston, the certified copy of the charter and proclamation deposited with the secretary or clerk of the governing authority of the City of Weston, and the certified copy of the charter and proclamation deposited with the clerk of the governing authority of the County of Webster shall subsequently be delivered by them to the successor government. The successor government may issue certified copies of the charter, and any copy so certified shall be deemed a duplicate original copy of the charter of the consolidated government for all purposes. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue certified copies of the charter on file with him or her, and copies so certified by him or her shall be deemed duplicate original copies of the charter of the consolidated government for all purposes.
(c) The special election shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the O.C.G.A., the "Georgia Election Code," except to the extent specifically provided otherwise by this Act.
(d) A qualified voter, as used in this Act, shall mean a voter of Webster County qualified to vote for members of the General Assembly of Georgia. The election superintendent shall certify the returns to the Secretary of State. The election superintendent shall also furnish a certified copy of the charter to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall issue his or her proclamation showing and declaring the result of the election on the approval or rejection of the charter. One copy of the proclamation shall be attached to the copy of the charter certified to the Secretary of State. One copy of the proclamation shall be delivered to the secretary or clerk of the governing authority of the City of Preston, who shall attach the same to the copy of the charter previously certified to him or her. One copy of the proclamation shall be delivered to the secretary or clerk of the governing authority of the City of Weston, who shall attach the same to the copy of the charter previously certified to him or her. One copy of the proclamation shall be delivered to the clerk of the governing authority of the County of Webster, who shall attach the same to the copy of the charter previously certified to him or her.
(e) Whenever a charter for the consolidation of the governments of the City of Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster has been adopted, the above-certified copies thereof, with the proclamation of the Secretary of State of Georgia attached thereto, shall be deemed duplicate original copies of the charter of the consolidated government for all purposes. The certified copy of the charter and proclamation deposited with the secretary or clerk of the governing authority of the City of Preston, the certified copy of the charter and proclamation deposited with the secretary or clerk of the governing authority of the City of Weston, and the certified copy of the charter and proclamation deposited with the clerk of the governing authority of the County of Webster shall subsequently be delivered by them to the successor government. The successor government may issue certified copies of the charter, and any copy so certified shall be deemed a duplicate original copy of the charter of the consolidated government for all purposes. The Secretary of State is authorized to issue certified copies of the charter on file with him or her, and copies so certified by him or her shall be deemed duplicate original copies of the charter of the consolidated government for all purposes.
SECTION
11.
In
the event the proposed single county-wide government charter is approved by
voters as provided in Section 10 of this Act, an election shall be held in
accordance with the provisions of the charter to elect the members of the
governing authority of the county-wide government. Upon the election of the
members of the governing authority and their taking office as the governing
authority of the county-wide government, the existing governments of the City of
Preston, the City of Weston, and the County of Webster shall stand abolished,
all in accordance with the provisions of the charter of the new county-wide
government.
SECTION
12.
This
Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its
becoming law without such approval.
SECTION
13.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.