In a specially called Feb. 10 meeting, the Van Alstyne City Council approved a draft of a proposed city charter. It will now go before voters for their approval on May 7.
Under state law, cities without a charter are considered general law cities. That means that their government can only exercise powers that the State Legislature specifically allocates them. The passage of a city charter allows a city to be a home rule city, with the authority to pass any law and regulations it deems necessary so long as they are not prohibited by state law.
Cities are eligible to become home rule cities when their population exceeds 5,000 residents. Van Alstyne officials determined that benchmark had been hit last year.
“This basically gives the city more flexibility,” City attorney David Ritter said. “If you are a general law city, some laws may not fit some cities, particularly when they are growing like us.”
Joshua Baethge | Van Alstyne Leader | FULL STORY HERE
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