King County Charter Amendments, 2009

In years past, the General Election Endorsement Meeting here in the 46th has revealed a weakness in our research. Our goal in doing the endorsement meeting is to prepare our members for the General Election Ballot, and that needs to include all of the ballot measures. This includes the King County Charter Amendments that come to us nearly every year. I am determined to be able to provide useful information to everyone this year. In 2009, we will have four charter amendments to consider here in King County. Here's some extra information on those measures.

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King County Charter Amendment No. 1

Repeal of Section 350.20.30 and Portions of Article 9 - Transitory Provisions

Shall those no longer relevant portions of King County Charter Article 9 relating to the county's prior transition to a home rule charter and King County Charter Section 350.20.30, relating to the county's transition to a metropolitan form of government, be repealed, as provided in Ordinance No. 16484?

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King County Charter Amendment No. 2

Repeal of Charter Section 475 - Work Programs and Allotments

Shall King County Charter Section 475, relating to preparation of work programs and requested allotments and to appropriation transfers, be repealed, as provided in Ordinance No. 16546?

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King County Charter Amendment No. 3

Amendment of Section 800 - Charter Review

Shall King County Charter Section 800 be amended to clarify that charter commission appointees are to be confirmed by the council and to provide that the council is required to consider proposed charter amendments and act on them at an open public meeting, as provided in Ordinance Nos. 16547 and 16599?

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King County Charter Amendment No. 4

Adding New Section 897 - High Conservation Value Properties

Shall the King County Charter be amended to add a new Section 897 that would provide enhanced protection for certain county properties designated as high conservation value properties by prohibiting the county from conveying or relinquishing its interest in those properties or authorizing their expanded use, except in specified circumstances, as provided in Ordinance No. 16600?

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You can see the basic information from the Voters Guide on the King County Elections website:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/elections/200911/measures.aspx

You can search for and read about the specific Ordinances on the King County Legislation website:

http://kingcounty.legistar.com/custom/king/legislation.htm

Please feel free to comment on this post with more information and your opinions.