City charter committee meets today

Carson City's Charter Review Committee is meeting at 3 p.m. today, the first of four anticipated meetings to assess what needs fixing, if anything, in the city's charter.

The city's charter dates to 1969, when Carson City and Ormsby County were consolidated into a single municipal government. The charter has been amended many times during the years. Among other things, the charter sets the city's boundary lines; designates the wards, qualifications and powers for city supervisors and the mayor; and sets provisions for ordinances and codes, bonding, zoning, utilities, officials' salaries, courts, elections and taxing.

It is "the only committee within the city that looks at all areas of operation of our city," explained committee member Donna DePauw.

The seven-member Carson City Charter Review Committee is required to hear and debate proposed amendments to the charter, after which it will present a written report of preliminary recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in July.

"We welcome comments and concerns from the general public," DePauw said. "Remember, we're here to represent everyone within the community, and we do care. It's your only citizens committee that can request changes be made to improve the great city we live in to the Board of Supervisors and the Legislature.

"Please consider attending and allow your voice to be heard for Carson City's future to make it an even better place to live."

The committee's agenda and other information can be perused at carson.org. For the first time, the committee meeting will also be broadcast at www.acctv.org/programs/channel-26-schedule.