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Form a Charter Commission by Election

WHEREAS, the citizens of ___________ County and the City (Town) of _____________ deserve the most efficient, economical, and responsive local government possible; and,

WHEREAS, the general law of Tennessee provides for the consolidation of a county government with the county’s largest municipality (and with other municipalities in the county if the largest municipality consolidates) approved by the voters of the municipality and the voters of the county residing outside the largest municipality; and,

WHEREAS, the general law provides for the formation of a metropolitan government charter commission to prepare a charter for a new consolidated government known in the general law as a metropolitan form of government; and

WHEREAS, the general law provides the option of forming a metropolitan government charter commission by election of the members by qualified voters of the county; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the City (Town) of ______________ and _________ County deserve the opportunity to review a metropolitan charter prepared by members elected for this purpose and the opportunity to vote on whether or not to consolidate the county’s largest municipality with the county and form a metropolitan government, with the possible inclusion of the smaller municipality of the City (Town) of ________________; and,

WHEREAS, Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-2-104, requires that whenever a metropolitan government charter commission is formed, it is the duty of the legislative body of the county to appropriate at least twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), but not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), to defray the expenses of the charter commission; and,

WHEREAS, the appropriation of funds to defray the expenses of a metropolitan government charter commission will entail an amendment to the county general fund budget;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of ____________ County, Tennessee, in a __________ meeting on this ______ day of __________, 20___, that:

SECTION 1. A metropolitan charter commission shall be established pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7, Chapter 2, to propose to the voters of the City (Town) of ____________ and ____________ County, the consolidation of all, or substantially all, of the governmental and corporate functions of the City (town) of ________________ and ___________ County, and the creation of a metropolitan government for the administration of consolidated functions.

SECTION 2. The metropolitan government charter commission shall consist of ten (10) members to be elected at an at-large in the county pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-2-102.
SECTION 3. The metropolitan government charter commission shall perform its work in the manner and according to the timetable established in the general law.

SECTION 4. Members of the metropolitan government charter commission shall not receive per diem or other compensation for their services, except reimbursement of actual expenses incurred by members in behalf of the charter commission.

SECTION 5. Although non required to participate in the work of the metropolitan charter commission or to consolidate with the largest city and county, the City (Town) of ___________, is invited to send a representative to consult with the metropolitan government charter commission and to participate in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-2-107.

SECTION 6. The county general fund is amended as follows:

Account Approved Budget Amended
Number Account Budget Amendments Budget

_______ Unappropriated Bal. __________ $25,000.00 ________________
Fund Balance (up to $50,000)

Expenditures Est.
_______ Metropolitan Govt. __________ $25,000.00 ________________
Charter Commission (up to $50,000)

SECTION 7. All resolutions or ordinances in conflict with this resolution are repealed insofar as any conflict exists.

SECTION 8. This resolution shall take effect upon approval of a substantially similar resolution by the Board of Aldermen (or Board of Commissioners or Council) of the City (Town) of ___________, Tennessee, or upon its approval, whichever occurs last, the public welfare requiring it.

SECTION 9. Certified copies of this resolution shall be sent by the County Clerk to the Mayors and Recorders (or clerks of the governing bodies) of the Cities (Towns) of ____________ and ________________ and to the County Administrator of Elections.

Approved this _________ day of ____________, 20___.


APPROVED: ATTEST:



_______________________________ _________________________________
County Executive County Clerk