Aliquippa voters to determine whether to create a home rule charter commission

ALIQUIPPA – As the city continues to work on its Act 47 exit plan, residents will get to decide whether or not a new form of government should be studied.

During its most recent meeting, Aliquippa Council passed an ordinance that asks the Beaver County Bureau of Elections to place a question on the ballot during the upcoming Nov. 8 election.

That question will read: “Shall a government study commission of seven members be elected to study the existing form of government of the municipality, to consider the advisability of the adoption of a home rule charter and, if advisable, to draft and to recommend a home rule charter.”

At the same time, residents will get to vote for seven members of the commission, should the measure pass on the ballot.

Filing for the commission nomination

To run for the commission, the only qualification is that one must be a registered voter of the city.

Current city, school, county or state officials are qualified to serve, as well as people covered by local or state civil service regulations.

Residents interested in serving on the commission must fill out nomination papers in order to get nominated.

The nomination papers must include the name and address of the candidate, identify the person as a candidate for the office of government study commissioner, and state the signers are legally qualified to vote for the candidate. The nomination papers may not carry any political party designation or slogan.

The nomination papers must be circulated and signed between Aug. 9-30. Each candidate must obtain the signatures of 75 registered voters in the city.

Each voter signing a nominating paper must list their residence, including street number and post office address. Each voter may sign nominating papers for as many candidates as the number of members proposed for the government study commission.

Each nomination paper must be accompanied by an affidavit of one or more of the signers, affirming the paper was signed by each signer in their proper handwriting, that to the best of the signer's knowledge, all signers are registered voters of the municipality, and that the purpose of the paper is to endorse the candidate named for the office of government study commissioner.

Nomination papers must be filed no later than Aug. 30, and each nominating paper must have attached an affidavit signed by the candidate, consenting to stand as a candidate at the election, and promising to take office and serve, if elected. An ethics form must also be filed with the petition.

If the commission is approved by the voters, those who receive the most votes will become members of the commission.

The document states the commission members, whose term could last 18 months, will study the current form of government to determine whether the city should stick with its current form, or draft a home rule charter.

The commission would hold public hearings and public forums and report their findings within nine months of being elected.

Defining a home rule charter

According to a city document, Aliquippa's Act 47 exit plan requires city officials address changes to the form of government that will contribute to, and support, objectives that lead to a more stable and resilient city organization.

This led to city officials to consider the option of a home rule charter style of government.

Currently, Aliquippa is listed as a “third-class” city under the state code, with laws and mandates the city must follow.

Under a home-rule charter style of government, the basic authority to act in city affairs is transferred from state laws to a local charter adopted and amended by the city voters, thus residents control how their city is structured for the future.

Under the third-class code, council members act as department directors, and take on both administrative and policy-making duties, with positions like a city controller and treasurer elected independently.

Under a home rule charter, council will no longer be department heads, rather, they would solely be policy-makers and adopt legislation.

The city manager will oversee all departments, a chief financial officer would be chosen to oversee all financial management in the city, such as overseeing the controller and treasurer, and qualifications are established for all positions.

Different cities in Pennsylvania operate under a home rule charter, including Allentown, Altoona, Clairton, Dubois, Farrell, Franklin, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Hermitage, Johnstown, McKeesport, New Castle, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Reading, Sharon, Warren, and, most recently, Beaver Falls, which officially adopted a home rule charter at the beginning of this year.

More: Benefits of home rule charter in Beaver Falls discussed by council, public

The city document states in addition to transferring authority over to the local government, a home rule charter would allow the local government to pass laws based on local needs and gives them flexibility in setting tax rates.

If adopted, the document states a home rule charter would allow the city to leave Act 47, and have a more “efficient” government with more transparency and citizen input.

Under a home rule charter, local governments must still follow state labor laws, environmental laws, such as the Stormwater Management Act, municipal planning code, crimes code, vehicle code and Sunshine Law.

If the commission is approved, and the commission determines a home rule charter is the right course of action for the city, the commission would create a draft home rule charter plan and present it to the public, which would lead residents to vote on whether they would want a home rule charter style of government during another general election.

More: Beaver Falls transition committee to work on home rule charter administrative code

If the measure is passed, the city would officially be placed under a home rule charter, effective the Jan. 1 after the election.

If the measure is rejected, then the city would remain a third-class city under the state city code.

Nicholas Vercilla is a staff reporter for the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at nvercilla@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Aliquippa voters to decide on creating home rule charter commission