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What do you know about Home Rule? This year, the Town of Erie wants to explore whether it should remain a statutory town or implement Home Rule. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing information about what Home Rule is, how it could impact you, and ask you to be involved in this process.
So what is Home Rule? Home Rule is a form of government based on a charter written by residents rather than following state statute. It is based upon the theory that the residents in the community know best how to solve local issues. A Home Rule Charter could give you the chance to determine if Erie should become a city or stay a town, whether the Board of Trustees should become a council, what the term limits are for elected officials, and so much more. Going Home Rule could affect finance, taxation, land use, elections, and administration in Erie.
If the community votes to “go Home Rule” in November, the Charter the Town uses to govern the community will be created by residents and you get to participate in the whole process.
What do you know about Home Rule? This year, the Town of Erie wants to explore whether it should remain a statutory town or implement Home Rule. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing information about what Home Rule is, how it could impact you, and ask you to be involved in this process.
So what is Home Rule? Home Rule is a form of government based on a charter written by residents rather than following state statute. It is based upon the theory that the residents in the community know best how to solve local issues. A Home Rule Charter could give you the chance to determine if Erie should become a city or stay a town, whether the Board of Trustees should become a council, what the term limits are for elected officials, and so much more. Going Home Rule could affect finance, taxation, land use, elections, and administration in Erie.
If the community votes to “go Home Rule” in November, the Charter the Town uses to govern the community will be created by residents and you get to participate in the whole process.
The Town provides details and explanation on what Home Rule means. Opportunities to weigh in and participate.
Community Engagement Results | July 13, 2021
The Roadmap to Home Rule has finished this stage
Feedback from the public will be presented to the Board of Trustees to weigh interest in adding Home Rule to 2021 ballot.
Ballot Question Deferred| July 13, 2021
The Roadmap to Home Rule has finished this stage
Based on the result of community feedback the Board of Trustees determined that moving the Home Rule question to Nov. 2022 is the best to continue education and outreach before adding the issue to a ballot.
Hire Consultant & Project Manager | Oct. 2021
The Roadmap to Home Rule has finished this stage
Creation of Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit applicants to Project Manage the home Rule process. Consultant will begin at start of November.
Presentation to Board of Trustees | Feb. 8, 2022
The Roadmap to Home Rule has finished this stage
The Team will present initial results about public sentiment to the Board of Trustees during their Regular Meeting on Feb. 8. Visit www.erieco.gov/calendar to get the details about the meeting.
Continued Outreach | Through May 2022
The Roadmap to Home Rule has finished this stage
Consultants will help with education and outreach with specific stakeholder groups. Also completing surveys to see the understanding and support for Home Rule before deep outreach and after.
Presentation of Engagement Results | June 14, 2022
The Roadmap to Home Rule has finished this stage
Presentation of engagement and outreach results from the community to see what the level of support would be for a Home Rule ballot question. Please review the Town Calendar for ways to watch or participate in this meeting.
Board of Trustees Considers Ballot Measure | June, 28 2022
The Roadmap to Home Rule has finished this stage
Board will make a determination of whether to approve a ballot measure for the Nov. 2022 Election.
EDIT: Board pushed decision to the July 12 meeting.
Home Rule Commission Candidates | July/August 2022
The Roadmap to Home Rule has finished this stage
At the July 12 Board of Trustees meeting, they determined (by a 5-2 vote) that this question would be on the 2022 ballot. Charter Commissioner candidates must file nomination within 30 days after the Board of Trustees approves the ballot measure. Candidates interested in writing a Town Charter have until Aug. 20 to file a petition with at least 25 signatures.
NOTE: This does NOT mean that the Town is going to move toward Home Rule at this point. The voters have to approve the question of whether to pursue a Home Rule Charter on the ballot AND vote for candidates before the true Charter process begins.
Charter Commission Candidates Determined | Aug. 23, 2022
The Roadmap to Home Rule is currently at this stage
The Town of Erie received 18 candidate petitions for the Home Rule Charter Commission. These candidates will be added to the 2022 ballot for voters in Erie to choose nine members to serve as Commissioners*. The candidates were chosen at random to appear on the ballot. The order is:
Bob Braudes
Ken Martin
Ashraf Shaikh
Ryan Kenward
Ben Hemphill
Adam Haid
Sarah Kornely
Todd T. Sargent
Josh Hunt
Lisa Cunningham
John Ahrens
Brian O'Connor
Chelsea Campbell
Bradley Beck
J.C. Moore
Candace Whitehouse
Erin Cygan
Harold E. Hunt
*Choosing nine candidates is one half of a question about Home Rule - the other part of the ballot question asks if a Home Rule Charter should even be created. If the voters reject a Home Rule Charter, then the candidates do not become a commission.
2022 Coordinated Election | Nov. 8
this is an upcoming stage for The Roadmap to Home Rule
Voters will decide whether to move forward with a Home Rule Charter AND vote for Charter Commissioners.
NOTE: If the voters reject the idea of creating a Charter, then the topic is discontinued and the Charter Commission is not formed.