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Home My WebLink About751122.tiff HOME RULE CHARTER FOR _ _ _. . . . WELD COUNTY c_ . COLORADO .. _ , . _ _ _ _ _ _ :. . . . . _ __ .. _ ... _ : . . . . .. _ . . . . _______ __ _ . , _ ., . _. _ . __ • . • ., , . ... _ . , .. . i , .. _ . _ __ . . _____ ____ _ __ _c_ sass i __. ..___ ._ k , „, . , .. .. .... . L ._ , . . • . , , Election Sept . 9 , 1975.., .. { SUMMARY County Government, as Weld County has known it, dates back to territorial days before Colorado was a state. It has remained essen- tially unchanged for more than a century. In 1970 an amendment to the Colorado Constitution granted to counties the power to adopt home rule charters. Home rule, in this context, refers to the power of a local gov- ernment to manage its own affairs and to draft its own charter. At the general election in 1974 the electors of Weld County voted to form a Charter Commission for the purpose of drafting a proposed charter. After 39 regular meetings, more than 35 sub-committee meet- ings and 14 public hearings, the proposed charter was submitted to the County Commissioners. The final draft contains eighteen articles and deals only with structural change. The powers and duties of county officials remain unchanged, although in some instances, functions have been reassigned. There follows an article by article summary: Article I -- Name, Nature, Boundaries, County Seat. No Basic changes were made. • Article II -- County Powers. Under this Article, the people of Weld County reserve unto themselves all of the powers and functions of self determination which now are or may in the future be available to them under the Constitution and laws of the State of Colorado for home rule counties. Article III -- Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners has been increased from three to five, with three elected from districts and two at large. It was felt that the in- creased number would result in better representation and that elec- tion from districts would make commissioners more knowledgeable and • responsive to the needs of the people. The traditional form of commissioner government has been maintained with the commissioners being both a policy making body and, together with the other elected officials, the chief administrative officers of the County. The commissioners are limited to two full consecutive terms. Article IV -- Departments of County Government. This Article divides the commissioner functions into five major departments with one commissioner coordinating the activities of each department. The departments are: Finance, Central Purchasing, and Personnel; Health Services; Planning Services; Engineering Services; and Communications Services. r Within the first named department, the Division of Finance and Central Purchasing has primary responsibility for the financial affairs of the County, including the gathering of data for the budget and the • V preliminary draft of the budget. It also has the duty of providing a central purchasing system for the County. The Division of Personnel is charged with the responsibility of providing job classification and compensation plans for most county employees. With certain ex- ceptions, all employees will be hired through the personnel system; the spoils systems will be a thing of the past. The Board of Health has been increased to nine persons, with six being appointed from geographic districts and three at large. The terms are for three years. The Director of Public Health is appointed by the Commissioners. The Weld County General Hospital remains essentially unchanged. However, the terms of trustees have been changed to three years, and as with other boards, a person is limited to two consecutive terms. The Director of Planning is appointed by the Commissioners. The Planning Board has been increased to nine members and is chosen in the same manner as the Health Board. The Department of Engineering includes the functions of the office of County Surveyor. The Communications Department will include a variety of functions, not otherwise covered by another department. Article V -- Department of Law. This article provides for a full time county attorney and sets his qualifications. It makes him the • legal adviser to all county officials. Article VI -- Elective Officers. The elected officers of the County remain the same as present, except that the office of county Surveyor has been abolished and a new office of County Council created. Vacancies, except the Commissioners and the Council, are filled by the Commissioners. The term of office is four years and all elected offi- cials must be qualified electors of the County; have resided within the County for at least one year prior to election; and be twenty-one years of age. Except for County Councilmen and the Coroner, each County office must be the primary employment of the officer. Articles VII through XII -- County Assessor, County Clerk, County Coroner, Sheriff, Treasurer, Office of County Surveyor Abolished. The elected administrative offices remain mostly unchanged. The Surveyor has been abolished and additional qualifications have been added to the office of Sheriff. In some instances, more detailed qualifications have been set forth for the chief deputy of an office. Article XIII -- County Council. The County Council is a brand new concept. It fills vacancies in the office of County Commissioners, sets salaries for all Elected officials, may suspend an official pend- ing a recall election or an officer charged with a crime pending his trial. It will review the operations of County government and report to the people, and in some respects, act as an ombudsman. The County Council is non-partisan and unpaid. It consists of • five members; three elected from districts, and two at large. -2- � a Article XIV -- Finance and Budget. This article dealing with finance provides for limitations on the tax levy and the procedures for changing the levy. Bidding procedures are set forth in some detail. Article XV -- Elections. Provides for recall, initiative and referendum elections. Article XVI -- General Provisions. A unique provision provid- ing that the Commissioners may choose some other means of giving public notice other than the traditional newspaper advertisement is contained in this article. Also contained in this article are provisions reauir- ina that members of all appointive boards be broadly representative of the community and geographic area served; that all terms of appointive boards be for three years; that no one may serve more than two conse- cutive terms on a board; and that no person may be appointed to a board until at least a year after leaving an elected office. Another important provision of this article is the section dealing with con- flict of interest. Article XVII -- Amendments to Charter. The Charter may be amended by vote of the people at any time. Article XVIII -- Transitional Provisions. Provision for the orderly transition from statutory County government to home rule is provided. The Home Rule Charter Commission consisted of the followina: J. L. Bud Johnson, Chairman, Greeley; Edward L. Dunbar, vice Chair- man, Grover; Phillip Bowles, Secretary, Keeneshurq; John T. Martin, Fort Lupton; Harold Fahrenbruch, Johnstown; Reuben Schissler, LaSalle; John Chuck Carlson, Eaton; Glen Anderson, Johnstown; William Southard, Greeley; Nancy Clark, Greeley; Walter Bain, Greeley; rharly Baumgartner, Keenesburg; W.F.. Ed Rosenoff, Fort Lupton; George Brooks, Greeley; Don Altergott, Keensburg; Tim Weigand, Ault; Ed Lesh, Jr. , Ault; Glen Billings, Eaton; Norman Brown, Pierce; Ralph Waldo, Jr., Greeley; Bob White, Briggsdale. Mrs. Pat Moore served as the Charter Commission's secretary and William L. West, Attorney at Law, Greeley, served as legal counsel to the Commission. • I -3- page PREAMBLE V ARTICLE I -- NAME, NATURE, BOUNDARIES, COUNTY SEAT 1 Section 1 Name i 2 Nature and Legal Capacity 1 3 Boundaries 1 4 County Seat 1 ARTICLE II -- COUNTY POWERS 1 Section 1 General Powers 1 2 Exercise of Power 2 3 Cooperative Agreements 2 4 Service-Districts 2 5 Construction 2 ARTICLE III -- BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 3 Section • 1 composition 3 2 Districts 3 3 Qualifications 3 4 Terms of Office 3 5 Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners 4 6 Commissioner - Departments 4 7 Clerk to the Board 4 8 Powers and Duties 4 9 Compensation 6 10 Rules of Procedure 7 11 Meetings 7 12 Quorum 7 13 Majority Required 7 14 Ordinances 7 15 Vacancies 9 ARTICLE IV -- DEPARTMENTS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT 9 Section 1 Departments Created 9 2 Department of Finance, Central Purchasing and Personnel 10 3 Department of Health Services 12 4 Department of Planning Services 14 5 Department of Engineering Services 16 6 Department of Communications Services 17 i • page 1 ARTICLE V -- DEPARTMENT OF LAW 17 Section 1 County Attorney -- Appointment 17 2 Qualifications 17 3 Duties 18 4 Special Counsel 18 ARTICLE VI -- ELECTIVE OFFICERS 18 Section 1 Elective Officers 18 2 Oath of Office 18 3 Vacancy 19 4 Term of Office 19 5 Qualifications 19 6 Compensation 19 ARTICLE VII -- COUNTY ASSESSOR 19 Section 1 Bond 19 2 Duties 20 3 Qualifications of Chief Deputy 20 • ARTICLE VIII -- COUNTY CLERK 20 Section 1 Bond 20 - 2 Duties 20 ARTICLE IX -- COUNTY CORONER 21 Section 1 Duties 21 ARTICLE X -- SHERIFF 21 , Section 1 Qualifications 21 2 Bond 21 3 Duties 22 4 Qualifications of Undersheriff 22 5 Duties of Undersheriff 22 6 Jailer -- County not Furnish Residence 22 ARTICLE XI -- TREASURER 23 Section ' 1 Bond 23 2 Duties 23 i 3 Qualifications of Chief Deputy 23 • 4 Investment of Funds 23 ii ' IliMillIf page ARTICLE XII -- OFFICE OF COUNTY SURVEYOR ABOLISHED 24 Section ^ 1 Office of County Surveyor Abolished 24 2 Transfer Duties 24 3 Existing Property and Records 24 ARTICLE XIII -- COUNTY COUNCIL 24 Section 1 Composition 24 2 Qualifications of Members 24 3 Terms of Office 24 4 Organization 25 5 Quorum -- Majority -- "Action 25 6 Compensation 25 7 Vacancies 26 8 Powers and Duties 26 9 Nomination of Councilmen 27 ARTICLE XIV -- FINANCE AND BUDGET 28 Section 1 Fiscal Year 28 • 2 Annual Budget 28 3 Capital Improvements Program and Budget . . . 29 4 Audits 29 5 Funds 29 • 6 Long Term Financing 29 7 Limitation on Annual Tax Levy 30 8 Limitation of Capital Expenditures 30 9 Bidding -- Procedure 31 ARTICLE XV -- ELECTIONS 31 Section 1 General Elections 31 2 Special Elections 31 3 Recall 31 4 Initiative and Referendum 33 ARTICLE XVI -- GENERAL PROVISIONS 35 Section 1 Continuity of Government 35 2 Eminent Domain 36 3 Bonding of Officers 36 4 Invalidity of Part -- Severability 36 5 Article and Section Titles 36 6 Public Notice 36 7 Vacancy 36 • 8 Boards -- Composition 37 9 Conflict of Interest 37 10 Definitions 38 111 • iii Il page ARTICLE XVII -- AMENDMENTS TO CHARTER 40 Section ` 1 Procedure to Amend or Repeal Charter 40 2 Conflicting Amendments 41 ARTICLE XVIII -- TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS 41 Section 1 Purpose of Article 41 2 Effective Date of Charter 41 3 Transition of Elective County Offices 41 4 Elections to Fill New Commissioner Positions . 42 5 Elections to Fill New County Councilman Positions 42 6 Salaries 42 7 Prior Legislation and Policies 42 8 Existing Contracts 43 9 Continuation of Employment 43 10 Appointive Boards and Commissions 43 11 Continuation of Programs 43 • iv r PREAMBLE We, the people of Weld County, Colorado, in order to avail ourselves of self-determination in county affairs to the fullest extent permissible under the Constitution and laws of the State of Colorado, and in order to provide uncomplicated, unburdensome government responsive to the people, and in order to provide for the most efficient and effective county government possible, do hereby ordain, establish and adopt this Home Rule Charter for Weld County, Colorado. • t � ARTICLE I NAME, NATURE, BOUNDARIES, COUNTY SEAT Section 1 - 1 -- Name. The name of the county as it operates under this Charter shall continue to be Weld County. Section 1 - 2 -- Nature and Legal Capacity. From the time that this Charter takes effect the county shall continue to be: (1) an agency of the state and (2) a body politic and corporate. Section 1 - 3 -- Boundaries. The boundaries of the county as it operates under this Charter shall be the boundaries now or hereafter prescribed for the county by the laws of the state. Section 1 - 4 -- County Seat.• The seat of government of the county as it operates under this Charter shall continue to be in the City of Greeley, provided nothing herein shall prevent the location of county buildings and facilities elsewhere in the county. * * * * * * ARTICLE II COUNTY POWERS Section 2 - 1 -- General Powers. Except as this Charter provides to the contrary, Weld County shall exercise and provide all mandatory and permissive county powers and functions as provided by law and shall have all rights and powers now or hereafter granted or allowed by the laws of the United States and under the Constitution and laws of the State of Colorado for exercise by counties; in addition thereto it shall be authorized without amend- ment to this Charter to provide all functions, services and facilities and to exercise all prerogatives, functions, duties, and powers that may now or hereafter be authorized by the Constitution of the State of Colorado and statutes enacted pursuant thereto in adopting this Charter to vest their county government with all of the prerogatives • and powers of local government that are now or in the future shall be available to it. • -1- Section 2 - 2 -- Exercise of Power. ■ All executive, administrative, and legislative powers, functions duties and prerogatives now or hereafter possessed by Weld County shall be vested in a Board of County Commissioners and in the Elective . Officers provided for by this Charter. Executive and administrative powers, hereby vested in the Board may, to the extent provided in this Charter, be exercised by the departments herein established as agents of the Board. The legislative powers of the County shall be exercised only by the Board. Section 2 - 3 -- Cooperative Agreements. The county shall have the power to enter into contracts or agree- ments with other governmental units for joint use of buildings, equip- ment, and facilities, and for furnishing and receiving commodities or services, including law enforcement services. Such agreements or contracts shall be authorized only by the Board of County Commissioners. Section 2 - 4 -- Service Districts. The county shall have the power, when authorized and permitted by law, and requested by a district, to provide functions and services within existing service districts. New service districts may be created only after the purpose and boundaries of such district have been submitted to and approved by a majority of those voting electors living in and owning property in the district. The procedure for designating and establishing special districts and submitting the question to the voters shall be established by the Board. Special districts may be created under such laws as are now in effect or may hereafter be adopted. The county shall have the power to charge, levy and collect such taxes and other revenues as may be authorized or permitted by law or this Charter within such service districts for the support of district functions and services. Section 2 - 5 -- Construction. In this Charter no mention of a particular power or enumeration of similar powers shall be construed to be exclusive or to restrict the authority that the county would have if the particular power were not mentioned or the similar powers not enumerated. The Charter shall be liberally construed, to the end that, within the limits imposed by the Charter and by the law of the United States and of the state, the county have all powers necessary or convenient for the conduct of its affairs, including all powers that counties may assume under the statutes of the state and under the provisions of the state Constitution concerning county home rule. -2- S ARTICLE III BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS r Section 3 - 1 -- Composition. The Board of County Commissioners shall consist of five members elected as follows: (1) Three members, each nominated, elected and residing in separate geographic districts as established in Section 3 - 2 of this Article. (2) Two members, each nominated and elected from the county at large. Section 3 - 2 -- Districts. (1) There are hereby established three geographic commissioner districts numbered district 1, 2 and 3, which shall, initially correspond to the three commissioner districts in existence on the effective date of this Charter. (2) The Board shall review the boundaries of the districts when • necessary, but not more often than every two years, and then revise and alter the boundaries so that districts are as nearly equal in population as possible. (3) Any change in the boundaries of a county commissioner's ' district which shall cause a duly elected or appointed commissioner to be no longer a resident of the district which he represents shall not disqualify him from holding office during the remainder of the term for which he was elected or appointed. Section 3 - 3 -- Qualifications of members. Commissioners from districts shall reside within their geographic districts when nominated, elected or appointed and during their terms of office. Section 3 - 4 -- Terms of Office. (1) The terms of office of County Commissioners shall commence on the first working day of the year immediately following the general election at which they are elected and shall be for four (4) years, with terms staggered as follows: Two commissioners, one (1) each from geographic districts numbered one and three and one (1) commissioner elected at large, shall be elected for four (4) year terms at the general election in 1976 and each four (4) years thereafter; and one (1) commissioner for geographic district number two (2) and one (1) [ccessor mmissioner elected at large shall be elected for a four (4) year term the general election in 1978 and each four (4) years thereafter. (2) The term of office of a commissioner shall continue until his is elected and qualified. -3- A (3) No person shall serve more than two full consecutive terms as County Commissioner. Section 3 - 5 -- Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. (1) The Board, from among its members, shall elect annually at its first meeting in January of each year, a Chairman of the Board. (2) The Chairman shall preside over meetings of the Board. (3) The Board, from among its members, shall elect annually at its first meeting in January of each year, a chairman pro tem, to preside over meetings in the absence of the Chairman. Section 3 - 6 -- Commissioner - Departments. (1) The department of Finance, Central Purchasing and Personnel shall be coordinated by the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. (2) Each of the other four major departments, as established by Article IV, shall be coordinated by one of the other commissioners together with assistance from another Commissioner, both of whom shall be appointed by the Board at its first meeting in January of each year. Section 3 - 7 -- Clerk to the Board. (1) The Clerk to the Board shall be the County clerk. (2) The Clerk shall be custodian of the county seal; shall maintain a journal of Board proceedings; record all motions; resolutions; actions of and votes by the Board; shall be the agent of the county for service • of process; and shall perform such other duties as are now or may hereafter be prescribed by law for Clerks of Boards of County Commissioners or by this Charter. Section 3 - 8 -- Powers and Duties. (1) The Board of County Commissioners shall be the governing body of the county. It shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties now required or permitted or that may hereafter be required or permitted by state law to be exercised or performed by County Commissioners in either home rule or non home rule counties. (2) It shall exercise all powers of the county to determine policy and to enact legislation. (3) It shall be responsible for the proper exercise by the county departments and other agencies established by this Charter or by the Board for all executive and administrative powers and duties delegated thereto. (4) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or diminishing the total authority and responsibility of the Board as herein provided, the powers and duties of the Board shall include duties and powers to: -4- (a) Perform or provide for the performance of any duties and responsibilities required by statute or the Constitution of Colorado or County Commissioners in non home rule counties and in home rule counties. • (b) Enact legislation including such means of enforcement thereof as shall be authorized by law, and otherwise formally promulgate county policy. Unless otherwise required by statute, the Board shall act only by ordinance in matters of legislation, contracts, appropriations, and disposition of real property, and by ordinance, resolution or motion, as may be appropriate, in other matters. (c) Appoint, remove and establish qualifications of department heads, and through them, direct the functions of county offices, departments, divisions and agencies. (d) Appoint and remove the county attorney, pursuant to Section 5 - 1 of this Charter, and retain such other professional advisors as the Board may deem necessary. (e) Adopt an administrative code. (f) Develop, or cause to be developed, a system of employment policies, rules, job classification and compensation plans in * accordance with generally accepted principles and promulgate such policies, rules and plans, under the authority of and in compliance with the provisions of pertinent Colorado and Federal statutes and this Charter. (g) Initiate suits or actions on behalf of the county. (h) Create such agencies, boards and commissions as the Board may deem necessary or as may be required by state law, and appoint the members thereof. The action creating an agency, board or commission shall also set forth compensation, duties, and respon- sibilities as well as any qualifications and conditions of service. The Board may designate itself to perform the functions and exercise the process of any such board or commission, unless prohibited by state law or this Charter. (i) Appropriate funds for all lawful purposes. (j) Establish and levy taxes, charges, fees and licenses. (k) Regulate, license, and tax utilities to the extent permitted by law. (1) Purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, own, sell, trade, transfer, divide, lease, encumber, or reserve interest in real and personal property, and receive gifts and grants, in the name of the county. • (m) Approve and execute, on behalf of the county, all contracts. Contracts shall be executed for the Board by the Chairman. -5- (n) Act as a board of appeals to hear complaints on actions taken by county boards, commissions and departments. Procedure for appeals shall be as set forth in the administrative code, or by resolution of the Board. No person shall be denied the right to appeal, provided they comply with the administrative procedures • established by the Board. (o) Establish salaries or other compensation for the county attorney, assistant county attorneys, and all other county employees, or appointees not included within the personnel system. (p) Provide for reimbursement of actual expenses of food, travel, and lodging necessary for performance of the duties of a County Commissioner, County Councilman, County Officer, county employee, or member of an appointed board or commission. (q) Authorize multi-jurisdictional performance of duties and functions with other units of government, and, under procedures provided by law, cause the county to be included within such districts consisting of two or more counties or parts thereof as may be authorized or provided by law for the joint performance of county functions or the performance of regional functions. (r) Establish a municipal conference to be called by the Board of County Commissioners not less than three times each year; to which all municipal officials shall be invited and appropriate agendas developed in order that mutual problems be considered. (s) Require that all inspections of whatever type made by county officers or employees be made promptly and without unrea- sonable delay. (t) Perform or exercise, or provide for the performance or exercise of, any or all permissive functions, services, facilities and powers that may now or in the future be authorized by law and not specifically mentioned or assigned by this Charter. The Board shall perform or assign any mandatory duty, responsibility or function required of the county by the laws or Constitution of the state, which may have been omitted in this Charter. Section 3 - 9 -- Compensation. (1) Compensation of members of the Board shall be fixed by the County Council. (2) No member's compensation shall be increased or decreased during his term of office, except as permitted by law. (3) Until otherwise set, the salary of the members of the Board shall be: Commissioners of districts 1 and 3, $10,000.00; and Commissioner of district 2 and Commissioners at large, $15,000.00 per year. -6- Section 3 - 10 -- Rules of Procedure. The Board shall adopt rules of procedure governing the time, • place, and conduct of its meetings and hearings, and the introduction of and action on motions, resolutions and ordinances. The Board may also adopt procedures for requiring attendance of its members. All official meetings shall be open to the public, and no action shall be taken by the Board other than at an official meeting. A record of proceedings shall be taken and preserved, and it shall be a public record. Section 3 - 11 -- Meetings. (1) Regular Board meetings shall be held at least twice weekly on days to be determined by the Board by resolution, except a regular meeting may be cancelled, however, by resolution of the Board passed and publicaly announced at least ten (10) days prior to the cancelled meeting date. (2) Special meetings shall be called by the Clerk upon the written request of the Chairman or of any three (3) members of the Board. Each written notice of such meeting, served personally or left at each members usual place of residence. However, a special meeting called as herein provided may be held on shorter notice if all members of the Board are present or have waived notice thereof in writing. A copy of the notice ▪ of a special meeting shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the offices of the Board at the time such notice is given to members of the Board. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting unless the same has been stated in the notice of such meeting. • (3) When a regular or special meeting is adjourned or recessed to a time certain, notice of the time and place of the reconvening thereof shall be posted in a prominent place in the offices of the Board. Section 3 - 12 -- Quorum. Three of the members of the Board in office at the time shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. Section 3 - 13 -- Majority Required. Any resolution or ordinance to be adopted, amended, or repealed, shall require concurrence of three (3) of the members of the Board in office at the time. Section 3 - 14 -- Ordinances. (1) An ordinance may be introduced at any regular meeting by any member of the Board. Upon introduction it shall be presented and read a first time, and public notice of the porposed ordinance given at least ten (10) days before its second reading. If, upon second reading, a majority of the Board approves the ordinance, public notice shall be ' given a second time as a proposed ordinance, at least ten (10) days -7- A before its final passage. Upon final adoption, public notice shall again be given. (2) Except in case of an emergency ordinance, an ordinance shall become effective five (5) days after its final public notice unless a later date is specified in the ordinance. (3) Every ordinance, except a general budget ordinance, a general appropriation ordinance, and an ordinance adopting a code by reference, shall be confined to a single subject which shall be clearly expressed in its title. (4) All ordinances shall be introduced in written or printed form. No ordinance shall be amended by reference to its title only, but the revised sections of the ordinance, as amended, shall be reenacted in full and public notice given, except as otherwise provided herein for amendments to codes. However, an ordinance or section thereof may be repealed by reference to its title and ordinance or code number only. (5) The enacting clause of all ordinances shall be: "Be it ordained by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado." (6) An ordinance which is declared therein to be an emergency ordinance may be enacted by four-fifths vote of the Commissioners at the meeting at which it is introduced without any requirement of prior public notice. Public notice of an emergency ordinance shall be given • forthwith after passage. The effective date of an emergency ordinance shall be the date of its enactment unless a later date is specified in the ordinance. An emergency ordinance shall contain a specific state- ment of the emergency. • (7) The Chairman shall sign and the Clerk shall attest to all ordinances approved by the Board. All ordinances of the County shall be indexed by subject by the Clerk and kept in a book for that purpose which shall be a public record. (8) Standard codes, promulgated by the Federal government, the State of Colorado, or by an agency of either of them or by any munici- pality within the State of Colorado, or by recognized trade or professional organizations, or amendments or revisions thereof, may be adopted by reference; provided the public notice of the ordinance adopting any said code shall advise that copies thereof are available for inspection at the office of the Clerk of the Board, and provided that any penalty clause in said codes may be adopted only if set forth in full in the adopting ordinance. (9) The Board shall cause the permanent ordinances to be codified periodically. Such codification may be of the entire body of permanent ordinances or of the ordinances of some particular subject. Such codification may be reenacted by reference by the Board or may be authenticated in such manner as may be designated by ordinance. No codification ordinance shall be invalid on the grounds that it deals with more than one subject. -8- • Section 3 - 15 -- Vacancies. (1) A vacancy in the office of County Commissioner shall be filled by appointment by the County Council. • (2) A vacancy in any other elected office, except Councilman, shall be filled by appointment by the Board. Said appointee shall be of the same political party as that of the previous officer and the appointment shall be effective until the next general election, at which time a person shall be elected for the remainder of the term, if any. * * * * * * ARTICLE IV DEPARTMENTS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT Section 4 - 1 -- Departments Created. (1) There are hereby created the Department of Finance, Central Purchasing, and Personnel; the Department of Health Services; the Department of Planning Services; the Department of Engineering Services; and the Department of Communication Services. ' (2) The Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners shall be responsible for coordination of the Department of Finance, Central Purchasing, and Personnel. • (3) The coordinator of each of the other departments shall be the responsibility of one of the other Commissioners. (4) Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, each department or division may be administered by a director, or directors, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, and subject to the immediate coordination of the commissioner responsible for the Department. Each director shall be responsible within his department, subject to the approval of the Board and the regulations of the personnel system, for the appointment, promotion, discipline and discharge of employees of that department. Responsibility for coordinating the departments of Health Services, Planning Services, Engineering Services, and Communi- cation Services shall be rotated annually. (5) Each department may be divided into as many divisions as the Board of County Commissioners may determine to be necessary or desireable. Each division may be headed by one person responsible directly to the department director. (6) Nothing herein shall prevent the appointment of one person as head of more than one division. (7) Nothing herein shall apply to the Department of Law. -9- (8) The Board shall organize and may reorganize the departments established by this Charter, and assign or reassign functions and duties between departments and divisons, and may create additional divisions. • (9) In case of reorganization or reassignment, there shall not be more than five departments at any time (not including the Department of Law) including the Department of Finance, Central Purchasing, and Personnel. Section 4 - 2 -- Department of Finance, Central Purchasing, and Personnel. (A) The Division of Finance and Central Purchasing shall: (1) With the assistance of the elected officials and department directors, gather together the information necessary for the prepara- tion of the budget, and in such form as the Board directs, prepare a preliminary draft of the budget for the next fiscal year and submit it to the Board by such date as the Board may direct. Such preliminary draft shall include recommended operating expenses, capital expenditures, and revenue sources for all departments and units of the county govern- ment, and any other information deemed necessary. (2) Prepare monthly financial statements, budget and appropriation reports as directed. (3) Assist the Board in administration of the budget and in preparation of appropriation ordinances. • (4) Establish, maintain and operate the central purchasing office for the county. Responsibilities of the purchasing office shall include the purchase, storage and distribution of supplies, materials, property, equipment and inventory pursuant to policies and procedures established by the Board and in accordance with this Charter and the laws of the state. (5) Exercise such additional powers and perform such additional functions and duties as ;nay be required by the Board. (6) The division of Finance and Central Purchasing shall be under the direction of a Finance Officer whose duties shall include the following: (a) The County Finance Officer shall on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners act as Chief Accounting Officer of the County and manage, supervise, coordinate and direct the activities of the Division of Finance and Central Purchasing. He shall be responsible to the Board of Commissioners for the proper execution, administration and functioning of the affairs of the above described divisions of Weld County, including the performance by the respective divisions and officers of those functions, duties and services permitted or required by this Charter. -10- 11 (b) Cause the policies adopted or approved by the Board of County Commissioners to be implemented in those divisions as required by the Board of County Commissioners and insure that the activities of those departments are consistent with the policies determined and set by the Board of County Commissioners. (c) Supervise and direct the preparation of the budget. (d) Exercise control over purchases and expenditures and keep the Board of County Commissioners advised of the financial condition and future needs of the County. (B) The Division of Personnel shall: (1) Assist the Board in the preparation of a system of employment policies, rules, job classification and compensation plans in accord- ance with generally accepted personnel principles. (2) Such system shall include at least the following: (a) Employment and promotion in the county government shall be made upon the basis of ability, education, training, and experience necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the work to be performed. (b) Classification and compensation according to duties and responsibilities pursuant to adoption of a classification and pay plan which shall from time to time be reviewed and amended by the Board as necessary. • (c) Standards of employment based on conduct and performance of work and the procedures for creating and abolishing positions. (d) Dismissal, disciplinary and employee grievance procedures. (e) An appointing or employing authority may not employ or request the employment of any person who is related to him as spouse, parent, child, brother, sister or in-law. (f) No employee shall, during working hours, engage in any political activity. Any person employed with the county, except an elected official, who seeks election to a partisian public office, shall request a leave of absence, without pay, immediately after announcement of his candidacy. (g) The official hours of all Weld County Departments shall be as established by the Board in the personnel policies, rules and regulations. (h) The personnel system shall comply with the provisions of pertinent Colorado and Federal statutes. (3) The personnel policies, rules and regulations and classification and compensation plans may be amended by the Board. • -11- (4) The Board of County Commissioners shall implement a personnel system which shall become effective no later than twelve (12) months from the effective date of this Charter. (5) No County employee shall lose any vested retirement benefits • by reason of any change in retirement plans. (6) Elected officials shall make appointments to fill vacancies in their departments from a list of names certified by the personnel department to be qualified for the position to be filled. The elected official may interview each person on the list and examine the quali- fications and shall have the authority to reject all persons on the list, whereupon the personnel department shall certify a new list. Elected officials shall have direct authority over the employees in their respective offices pursuant to the County personnel policies, rules, regulations, job classification and compensation plans. (7) All employees of the County shall be included within the provisions of the personnel system, except the Board may, in its discretion, exclude the employees of certain divisions, and except the undersheriff and chief deputy of each elected official, temporary employees, advisors, and consultants retained by contract, the County Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys, and except as otherwise pro- vided by law. (8) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint an appeals board to which an employee may appeal his dismissal, suspension, demotion, or other grievance. • (a) The number of members, term, and qualifications of the appeals board shall be set forth by the personnel policies, rules and regulations. (b) The procedures for appeal shall be outlined in the personnel policies, rules and regulations. (C) The department of Finance, Central Purchasing and Personnel shall contain such other divisions as may from time to time be estab- lished by the Board, and shall perform such functions and duties as may from time to time be assigned or reassigned to it. Section 4 - 3 -- Department of Health Services. (A) Division of Public Health. (1) The Director of Public Health shall be appointed by the Board upon consultation with the Board of Health. (2) The Director of Public Health shall: (a) Have all powers and duties now provided or as hereafter provided by state law for health departments in Colorado. (b) Direct supervision of the Environmental Health Services. -12- • (c) Cooperate and work jointly with the Commissioner assigned to the Department of Health Services on all county health related activities. s (d) Make recommendations to the Board for the purpose of helping to eliminate and avoid the duplication of services in county health related areas. (e) Evaluate all health programs that affect Weld County. (f) Cooperate with the Commissioner assigned to the Department of Health Services, in order to plan, cooperate and contract with other county health agencies so that all programs benefit from the combined use of facilities and staff. (g) Work with regional, state and federal authorities relating to public health programs in Weld County. (h) Report at least annually to the Board on all matters set forth above. (i) Perform such functions and duties as the Board shall direct. (3) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint a Board of Public Health consisting of nine (9) persons. Such board shall be chosen as follows: (a) The Board of County Commissioners shall determine six (6) geographic areas and appoint one member from each of the geographic areas. Each member shall reside within the geographic area for which he is appointed at the time of his appointment and during his term. (b) Three (3) members shall be appointed from the county at large. (c) The geographic boundaries may be adjusted from time to time by the Board of County Commissioners. (d) The term of office shall be for three years, said terms to be staggered so that two (2) members from geographic areas and one (1) member at large are appointed each year. The Board of Commissioners shall make the initial appointments for one, two and three years, in order to initiate the staggered terms. No person shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms as a member. (4) The Board of Public Health shall adopt by-laws which shall state the purposes of the Board and shall at least: (a) Provide for the selection of its officers, and for appointment of standing and special committees necessary to effect the discharge of its responsibilities. (b) Provide for the adoption of a schedule of meetings and attendance requirements. • -13- (c) Require that minutes be kept of the Board of Public Health deliberations and decisions. (d) Require five (5) members constitute a quorum. • , (e) Provide for studying county health programs and direct their implementation in cooperation with the Director of Public Health and the Board of County Commissioners. (B) Hospital Division: (1) Except as provided herein, the administration of Weld County General Hospital shall remain as provided by law and the rules and regulations of the Board of Trustees, and they shall be directly responsible to the Board of County Commissioners. (2) Members of the Hospital Board of Trustees shall be appointed for three (3) year terms and no person shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. (3) The County Attorney shall represent and advise the Board of Trustees. (c) Other Divisions: The Department of Health Services shall contain such other divisions - as may from time to time be established by the Board, and shall perform such functions and duties as may from time to time be assigned or reassigned to it. Section 4 - 4 -- Department of Planning Services. (A) Division of Planning, Zoning and Inspection. (1) A director of the Department of Planning Services shall be appointed by the Board upon consultation with the Planning Commission. (2) The Director of Planning Services shall: (a) Be responsible for the administration and coordination of the Planning, Zoning and Inspection Divisions. (b) Subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Planning Commission: (i) supervise the issuance of all building permits. (ii) direct and coordinate the activities of the building, electrical and plumbing inspections. (c) Coordinate activities between the Board of Adjustment and the Planning Commission and provide the necessary liaison personnel to work with the Board of Adjustment. -14- • (d) Coordinate the activities assigned to the Planning Commission affecting the County in connection with the Regional Council of Governments. • (e) Be responsible for planning and coordinating of all County parks and recreational facilities. (f) Perform such functions and duties as the Board shall direct. (3) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint a Planning Commission consisting of nine (9) persons. Such commission shall be chosen as follows: (a) The Board of County Commissioners shall determine six (6) geographic areas and appoint one (1) member from each of the geographic areas. Each member shall reside within the geographic area for which he is appointed at the time of his appointment and during his term. (b) Three members shall be appointed from the county at large. (c) The geogrpahic boundaries may be adjusted from time to • time by the Board of County Commissioners. (d) The term of office shall be for three (3) years, said terms to be staggered so that two (2) members from each geographic • area and one (1) member at large are appointed each year. The Board of County Commissioners shall make the initial appointments for one, two and three years, in order to initiate the staggered term. No person shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms as a member. (4) The Planning Commission: (a) Shall act and decide on all petitions and applications submitted to it pursuant to law or regulation. (b) Shall perform such functions and duties as shall be provided by law and as shall be directed by the Board. (c) All decisions of the Planning Commission shall be subject to appeal to and review by the Board in accordance with state law and the rules and regulations established by the Board. (d) Applications for rezoning shall be referred to the Board in accordance with the state law and the rules and regulations of the Board. (e) No utility transmission system shall be constructed until ` the entity developing such system shall have made application to the Weld County Planning Commission pursuant to the rules and reg- ulations of the Planning Commission and until such utility system has been approved by the Board. Prior acquisition of utility • transmission easements and rights-of-way shall not be considered -15- by the Planning Commission or Board. ` (f) The Planning Commission shall establish rules and reg- ulations covering applications for utility transmission easement systems and hearings thereon. The application shall include all • information required by the Board including environmental and economic impact statements. (g) The Planning Commission shall make its recommendation to the Board as to whether an application for a transmission utility system should be granted or denied and the Board shall make a final determination. (5) The Planning Commission shall adopt by-laws which shall state the purposes of the Commission and shall at least: (a) Provide for the selection of its officers, and for appointment of standing and special committees necessary to effect the discharge of its responsibilities. (b) Provide for the adoption of a schedule of meetings, including at least one meeting per month, and attendance require- ments. (c) Require that minutes be kept of the Planning Commission deliberations and decisions. (d) Require five (5) members to constitute a quorum. (B) Board of Adjustment. • The Board of Adjustment shall consist of nine (9) members, appointed in the same manner and for the same terms as the Planning Commission. The Board of Adjustment will perform such functions and duties as are provided by law. (C) The Department of Planning Services shall contain such other divisions as may from time to time be established by the Board, and shall perform such functions and duties as may from time to time be assigned or reassigned to it. Section 4 - 5 -- Department of Engineering Services. (1) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint the director of the Department of Engineering who may be known as the County Engineer. The County Engineer shall be licensed, or shall be eligible for license, as a registered professional engineer in the State of Colorado. (2) The County Engineer shall exercise all of the powers and per- form all the acts and duties now required or that may hereafter be required by state law to be exercised or performed by the County Surveyor. (3) The County Engineer shall perform such functions and duties as the Board shall direct. -16- • * (4) The Department of Engineering shall contain such divisions as may from time to time be established by the Board, and shall perform such functions and duties as may from time to time be assigned or • reassigned to it. Section 4 - 6 -- Department of Communications Services. (1) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint the director of the Department of Communications Services. (2) The Director of Communications Services shall perform such functions and duties as the Board shall direct. (3) There may be a division of Extension Service. The County Agent shall perform such functions as are provided by law or as requested by the Board, which may include the 4-H programs. (4) The Department of Communications Services shall contain such divisions as may from time to time be established by the Board, and shall perform such functions and duties as may from time to time be assigned or reassigned to it. * * * * * * y ARTICLE V • DEPARTMENT OF LAW Section 5 - 1 -- County Attorney -- Appointment. (1) There shall be a Department of Law, the Director of which shall be known as the County Attorney. He shall be appointed by the Board for an indefinite term and his employment may be terminated by majority vote of the Board. (2) The office of County Attorney shall be the primary employment of the County Attorney and he shall have no other employment as an attorney. (3) The Board may appoint such assistant county attorneys as it deems necessary subject to the same term and limitations as the County Attorney. Section 5 - 2 -- Qualifications. The County Attorney shall be a resident of the County of Weld and a duly licensed attorney for the State of Colorado for at least five (5) years immediately prior to his appointment, and shall have been • actively engaged in the practice of law during such five years. • -17- Section 5 - 3 -- Duties. (1) The Department of Law shall exercise all legal and administra- tive functions of the county government assigned by law or the Board to the County Attorney. (2) The County Attorney shall act as legal advisor for the Board and all departments and divisions of County government. (3) The County Attorney shall, upon request of elective county officers, issue formal written opinions on questions of law, which shall be maintained by the County as public documents. (4) When directed by the Board, the County Attorney shall represent the County, County Officers, County Employees and appointed boards and commissions and their members in suits, actions and other legal pro- ceedings. (5) In the event of conflict between the Board and any other county officer, such county officer shall be represented by the Weld County District Attorney. Section 5 - 4 -- Special Counsel. The Board may appoint special counsel for the purpose of making investigations and representing the county in suits by and against the County, its officers, or its agencies. Employment of special counsel shall be by written contract which shall set forth the purpose and terms of employment and compensation therefore. • * * * * * * ARTICLE VI ELECTIVE OFFICERS Section 6 - 1 -- Elective Officers. The Elective Officers of the County of Weld, Colorado, shall be five (5) County Commissioners; five (5) County Councilmen; one (1) County Clerk, who shall be Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners; one (1) County Sheriff; one (1) County Coroner; one (1) County Treasurer; and one (1) County Assessor. The salary or compensation, term of office and qualifications of such officers shall be as provided in this Charter. Section 6 - 2 -- Oath of Office. Before entering upon the duties of his office, every officer designated by this Charter shall take, subscribe, and file with the County Clerk, an oath or affirmation that he will support the Consti- tution of the State of Colorado, this Charter and the ordinances of the County of Weld, Colorado, and will faithfully perform the duties of this office. , -18- Section 6 - 3 -- Vacancy. Vacancies in elective offices, except County Commissioners and • County Councilmen shall be filed by the Board as provided by this Charter. Section 6 - 4 -- Term of Office. (1) The term of office of all elected offices shall commence on the first working day of the year immediately following the general election at which he is elected and shall be for four (4) years. (2) The term of office of all elected offices shall continue until a successor is elected and qualified. Section 6 - 5 -- Qualifications. (1) All elected officers shall be qualified electors of the County. (2) All elected officers shall have resided in the County for a consecutive period of not less than one (1) year immediately preceding election. (3) All elected officers shall be at least twenty-one (21) years • of age before assuming office. (4) Except for County Councilmen and the Coroner, each County office shall be the primary employment of the officer during the • term for which he is elected or appointed. Section 6 - 6 -- Compensation. (1) Compensation of all elected officers, except County Councilmen, shall be fixed by the County Council. (2) No elective officer's compensation shall be increased or decreased during his term of office, except as permitted by law. * * * * * * ARTICLE VII COUNTY ASSESSOR Section 7 - 1 -- Bond. The County Assessor shall execute to the people of the State of Colorado, and file in the office of the County Clerk, a bond, as • provided by this Charter and approved by the Board. The sureties shall be responsible for the acts of the County Assessor and his deputies. -19- LI' Section 7 - 2 -- Duties. (1) The County Assessor shall appoint a chief deputy to act in his absence, disability, or in case of a vacancy in the office, and • such chief deputy shall perform all the duties of County Assessor during such absence or until such vacancy shall be filled. (2) The County Assessor may appoint such other deputies as may be necessary or required to carry out the duties of the office. (3) The County Assessor shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and duties now required or that may hereafter be required by state law to be exercised or performed by the County Assessor. (4) The County Assessor may exercise those discretionary county functions and powers, and provide such services and facilities as may be authorized by law. Section 7 - 3 -- Chief Deputy. The Chief Deputy shall have attended and passed the Colorado Tax Assessor's School, or an equivalent thereof, and shall have had a minimum of five (5) years experience in reading and platting legal descriptions, the application of the mill levy to property assessment, and the application of the assessment rolls to the computer. * * * * * * • ARTICLE VIII COUNTY CLERK Section 8 - 1 -- Bond. The County Clerk shall execute to the people of the State of Colorado, and file in tha office of the County Clerk, a bond, as provided by this Charter and approved by the Board. The sureties shall be responsible for the acts of the County Clerk and his deputies. Section 8 - 2 -- Duties. (1) The County Clerk shall appoint a chief deputy to act in his absence, disability, or in case of a vacancy in the office, and such Chief Deputy shall perform all the duties of County Clerk during such absence or until such vacancy shall be filled. (2) The County Clerk may appoint such other deputies as may be necessary or required to carry out the duties of the office. (3) The County Clerk shall be the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners as provided by Article III, Section 3 - 7. -20- (4) The County Clerk shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and duties now required or that may hereafter be required by state law to be exercised or performed by the County Clerk. • (5) The County Clerk may exercise those discretionary county functions and powers, and provide such services and facilities as may be authorized by law, for County Clerks. * * * * * * ARTICLE IX COUNTY CORONER Section 9 - 1 -- Duties. (1) The County Coroner shall appoint a Chief Deputy to act in !_ -' his absence, disability, or in case of a vacancy in the office, and such chief deputy shall perform all of the duties of County Coroner during such absence or until such vacancy be filled. (2) The County Coroner may appoint such other deputies as may '- _ r be necessary or required to carry out the duties of the office. rl (3) The County Coroner shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and duties now required or that may hereafter be • required by state law to be exercised or performed by the County Coroner. L (4) The County Coroner may exercise those discretionary county functions and powers, and provide such services as may be authorized by law, for County Coroners. * * * * * * ARTICLE X COUNTY SHERIFF Section 10 - 1 -- Qualifications. The County Sheriff shall be a graduate of a certified law enforce- ment academy or institution requiring at least 90 quarter (60 semister) credit hours for graduation; or have had a minimum of five (5) years experience as an administrator in law enforcement at the rank of Sergeant, or above. • Section 10 - 2 -- Bond. The County Sheriff shall execute to the people of the State of Colorado, and file in the office of the County Clerk, a bond, as • -21- provided by this Charter and approved by the Board. The sureties shall be responsible for the acts of the County Sheriff, the Under- sheriff, and his deputies. • Section 10 - 3 -- Duties. (1) The County Sheriff shall appoint an Undersheriff, who shall also be a general deputy, to serve during the pleasure of the Sheriff. (2) The County Sheriff may appoint such other deputies as may be necessary or required to carry out the duties of the office. (3) The County Sheriff shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and duties now required or that may hereafter be required by state law to be exercised or performed by the County Sheriff. (4) The County Sheriff may exercise those discretionary county functions and powers, and provide such services and facilities as may be authorized by law. (5) The County Sheriff shall provide such law enforcement services to incorporated municipalities as may be provided for by service contract or joint agreement between the Board and a municipality. Section 10 - 4 -- Qualifications of Undersheriff. (1) The Undersheriff shall have an Associate of Arts Degree, or its equivalent, in Police Science, Police Administration, or in some related field. (2) The Undersheriff shall have had at least five (5) years law enforcement experience including substantial administrative and personnel experience. (3) The Sheriff shall determine that the Undersheriff meets the above qualifications. Section 10 - 5 -- Duties of Undersheriff. (1) In case of the absence, disability, or in event of a vacancy in the office of County Sheriff, the Undersheriff shall perform all the duties of County Sheriff during such absence or until such vacancy shall be filled. (2) The Undersheriff shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the County Sheriff. Section 10 - 6 -- Jailer -- County not Furnish Residence. The County shall not be required to furnish the Sheriff, as keeper of the jail, nor any deputy appointed for that purpose, with living quarters. This shall not relieve the Sheriff of his duty to safely keep all prisoners committed to his custody according to law. r -22- ARTICLE XI COUNTY TREASURER Section 11 - 1 -- Bond. The County Treasurer shall execute to the people of the State of Colorado, and file in the office of the County Clerk, a bond, as provided by this Charter and approved by the Board. The sureties shall be responsible for the acts of the County Treasurer and his deputies. Section 11 - 2 -- Duties. (1) The County Treasurer shall appoint a Chief Deputy to act in his absence, disability, or in case of a vacancy in the office, and such Chief Deputy shall perform all the duties of County Treasurer during such absence or until such vacancy shall be filled. (2) The County Treasurer may appoint such other deputies as may be necessary or required to carry out the duties of the offfice. (3) The County Treasurer shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and duties now required or that may hereafter be required by state law to be exercised or performed by the County Treasurer. (4) The County Treasurer may exercise those discretionary county functions and powers, and provide such services as may be authorized by law. Section 11 - 3 -- Qualifications of Chief Deputy. The Chief Deputy shall have had a minimum of five (5) years investment experience in handling investments, of the type handled in the office of the County Treasurer. Section 11 - 4 -- Investment of Funds. (1) The County Treasurer shall, with prudence, deposit available funds in accordance with the statutes of the State of Colorado, giving preference to Weld County financial institutions. (2) All interest from County funds shall become a part of the general fund, except that interest from particular funds may, by resolution of the Board, be retained in such fund. * * * * * * a -23- f ARTICLE XII OFFICE OF COUNTY SURVEYOR ABOLISHED • Section 12 - 1 -- Office of County Surveyor Abolished. Upon adoption of this Charter the office of County Surveyor shall be abolished, effective January 1, 1976. Section 12 - 2 -- Transfer of Duties. The County Engineer shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and duties now required or that may hereafter be required by state law to be exercised or performed by the County Surveyor. Section 12 - 3 -- Existing Property and Records. All property, records, equipment and supplies of the office of County Surveyor, wherever located, existing when this Charter becomes effective, shall be transferred as directed by the Board. * * * * * * ARTICLE xiii COUNTY COUNCIL Section 13 - 1 -- Composition. The County Council shall consist of five (5) members elected as follows: (1) Three (3) members, each nominated, elected and residing in separate geographic districts as established in Article III, Section 3 - 2 of this Charter. (2) Two (2) members, each nominated and elected from the county at large. Section 13 - 2 -- Qualifications of Members. (1) Councilmen from districts shall reside within their geographic districts when nominated, elected or appointed and during their terms of office. (2) Councilmen shall not hold any other elective office and shall not be a county employee. Section 13 - 3 -- Terms of Office. (1) The terms of office of County Councilmen shall commence on the first working day of the year immediately following the general -24- election at which they are elected and shall be for four (4) years. (2) The term of office of a councilman shall continue until his • successor is elected and qualified. (3) No person shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms as a councilman. Section 13 - 4 -- Organization. (1) At its first meeting in January each year the Council shall elect, from among its members, a President, who shall preside over its meetings, and a Vice-President, who shall preside in the absence of the President. (2) The council shall adopt rules of procedure governing the time, place and conduct of its meetings and hearings, and the introduction of and action on motions and resolutions. The Council may also adopt procedures for requiring attendance of its members. All official meetings shall be open to the public, and no action shall be taken by the Council other than at an official meeting. A record of proceedings shall be taken and preserved, and it shall be a public record. (3) Regular meetings shall be held at least monthly on a day or days to be determined by the Council by resolution. Special meetings may be called by the President. A copy of the notice of a meeting shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the offices of the Board of County Commissioners at the time such notice is given to members of the Council. • Section 13 - 5 -- Quorum -- Majority -- Action. (1) Three (3) of the members of the Council in office at the time shall be a quorum for the transaction of business, but in the absence of a quorum, a lesser number may adjourn any meeting to a later time or date, and in the absence of all other members the President may adjourn for not longer than one week. (2) Any resolution to be adopted, amended, or repealed, or any other action of the Council shall require concurrence of three (3) of the members of the Council in office at the time. (3) All official action taken by the Council shall be announced by the President or, in his absence, by the Vice-President, and all official communications of the Council whether oral or written, shall be made by the President or, in his absence, by the Vice-President. Section 13 - 6 -- Compensation. A Councilman shall receive no compensation for his services, but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his official duties. • -25- Section 13 - 7 -- Vacancies. (1) A vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Council. (2) A vacancy shall exist when a Councilman dies, resigns, is removed from office, moves from the district from which elected, is incapacitated, recalled, or becomes a candidate for a county elected office or an employee of the county. Section 13 - 8 -- Powers and Duties. (1) The Council shall set the salaries of all elected officials. In the case of the Board of County Commissioners, the effective date of any change in salary may be delayed so as to provide for equal compensation for all commissioners at all times. (2) The Council may employ a secretary and such other employees, permanent and temporary, as it may require, pursuant to the County Personnel System. (3) A vacancy in the Board of County Commissioners shall be filled by appointment by the Council. Said appointees shall be of the same political party as that of the previous officer, and the appointment shall be effective until the next general election, at which time a person shall be elected for the remainder of the term, if any. (4) In the event a valid petition for recall is presented as provided in Article XV, the Council may suspend the officer being recalled, with pay, pending the recall election. In the event the Council suspends such officer, the Council may appoint some qualified • person to perform the duties of the office pending the recall election. In the event the officer is not recalled, he shall be immediately reinstated. (5) In the event an elected official is formally charged or indicted for the commission of a crime, the Council may suspend such officer, with or without pay, pending prosecution of the offense. If an elected officer is found guilty of any crime by a court or jury, the Council shall immediately suspend such officer without pay until his conviction shall become final and he has exhausted, or by failure to assert them, has waived all rights to new trial and all rights of appeal. At the time such officer's conviction is final, the office shall be vacant and the vacancy filled as herein provided. Should the officer be suspended from office by the Council, as provided in this Section, be found not guilty in a state or federal court, either on appeal, original trial, or new trial, the Council shall forthwith reinstate such officer and he shall receive his back pay, unless, during such period of suspension, a successor to such suspended officer has been duly elected and qualified. In the event a successor to such suspended officer has been so elected and qualified, such suspended officer shall receive his back pay only up to the expiration date of his regular term of office and he shall not be reinstated or paid further unless he is such person duly elected and qualified. -26- • (6) The Council shall review all aspects of county government and shall make such periodic reports to the people relating to expen- ditures, efficiency, responsiveness, adherance to statutes, laws and regulations, and other matters as the Council deems adviseable. Such report or reports shall be in such form as the Council shall determine and shall be filed with the Board of County Commissioners and copies furnished to all elected officers. (7) For the purposes of assisting the Council in carrying out the duties set forth in paragraph (6) above, the Council may appoint a performance auditor who shall be responsible solely to the Council. The Council shall determine his qualifications and compensation. He shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. The office of performance auditor need not be a permanent position, but the office may be filled by the Council as it deems necessary. Section 13 - 9 -- Nomination of Councilmen. �. (1) Candidates for councilmen shall be nominated without regard to political party affiliation, by petition on forms supplied by the County Clerk. A petition of nomination may consist of one or more sheets, but it shall contain the name and address of only one candidate. The petition may designate one or more persons as a committee to fill a vacancy in such nomination. (2) Nomination petitions may be circulated and signed beginning on the ninety-fifth (95) day and ending on the forty-fifth (45) day prior to the day of election. Each petition shall be signed by qualified electors in the following numbers: (a) For a candidate in the county at large, at least two hundred (200) qualified electors residing within the county; (b) For a candidate from a geographic district, at least two hundred (200) qualified electors residing in the candidate's district. (3) Each qualified elector signing a petition shall add to his signature his place of residence by street and number, rural route and box number or other customary designation, except that a post office box number shall be insufficient. The circulator of each nomination petition shall make an affidavit that each signature thereon is the signature of the person whose name it purports to be and that each signer has stated to the circulator that he is a qualified elector of the county or county and district, as the case may be, for which the nomination is made. The signature of each signer of a petition shall constitute prima facie evidence of his qualifications without the requirement that each signer make an affidavit as to his quali- fications. (4) No petition shall be valid that does not contain the requisite number of names of electors qualified to sign the petition. Any such petition may be amended in this respect at any time prior to fifteen (15) days before the day of election. -27- W (5) An elector may sign more than one nomination petition. (6) Each nomination petition shall be filed with the County Clerk no later than the forty-fifth (45) day prior to the day of election. Every such petition shall have endorsed thereon or appended thereto the written affidavit of the candidate accepting such nomination. The • acceptance of nomination shall contain the full name and place of residence of the candidate. (7) The County Clerk shall cause all nomination petitions to be preserved for a period of two years. All such petitions shall be open to public inspection under proper regulation by the Clerk. (8) Procedure for withdrawal shall be as follows: Any person who has been nominated and who has accepted a nomination may cause his name to be withdrawn from such nomination, at any time prior to eighteen (18) days before election, by a written affidavit withdrawing from such nomination. The affidavit stating withdrawal shall be signed by the candidate and filed with the Clerk. (9) Objections to nominations. All petitions of nomination which are in apparent conformity with the provisions of this Section, as determined by the Clerk, are valid unless objection thereto is duly made in writing within three (3) days after the filing of the same. In case objection is made, notice thereof shall be forthwith mailed to any candidate who may be affected thereby. The Clerk shall pass upon the validity of all objections, whether of form or substance, and his decisions upon matters of form shall be final. His decisions upon matters of substance shall be open to judicial review. Said Clerk shall decide objections within at least forty-eight (48) hours after the same are filed, and any objections sustained may be remedied or defect cured upon the original petition, by an amendment thereto, or by filing a new petition within three (3) days after such objection is sustained, but in no event later than the thirtieth (30) day before the day of election. * * * * * * ARTICLE XIV FINANCE AND BUDGET Section 14 - 1 -- Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the county shall commence on January 1 and end on December 31 of each year, unless otherwise established by state law for home rule counties. Section 14 - 2 -- Annual Budget. (1) The director of the Department of Finance shall prepare a recommended budget for the next fiscal year and submit it to the Board. -28- r 1 Such budget shall include recommended operating expenses, capital expenditures, and revenue sources for all departments and units of the county government, and any other information deemed necessary. (2) The Board shall hold at least one public hearing on the proposed budget. Public notice of such hearings shall be given at least ten (10) days prior to the date thereof stating the time and place of the hearings and indicating that the proposed budget is available for inspection in the office of the Clerk to the Board during regular office hours, and that any interested person may file or register any objections thereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget. (3) Following the public hearing or hearings, the Board may revise or alter the proposed budget or increase or decrease any item therein. The Board shall then adopt the budget together with any amendments thereto, in accordance with the requirements of state law. The Board shall also adopt an ordinance appropriating funds for the ensuing fiscal year and shall certify the taxes to be levied as provided by law. (4) The Board may adopt emergency appropriations upon declaration that an unforeseen disaster or emergency exists. Such appropriations shall be funded from contingency or other available funds, or as otherwise permitted by state law. (5) Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of state law concerning adoption of budgets and appropriation of funds by local governments shall govern the procedures of the Board. • Section 14 - 3 -- Capital Improvements Program and Budget. The Board may require that the director of Finance and Purchasing submit, at the time of submission of the annual budget, a five (5) year capital improvements program and budget. Such program shall include recommended projects, construction schedule, estimate of costs, anticipated revenue sources, methods of financing, and such other information as may be required. Section 14 - 4 -- Audits. The Board shall provide for an independent annual audit of all county accounts and funds, and more frequent audits as deemed necessary. Such audits shall be made by a certified public accountant selected by the Board. The same auditor or auditing firm shall be available for inspection by the public in the office of the Clerk to the Board. Section 14 - 5 -- Funds. Funds shall be established as directed by the Board, pursuant to the provisions of state law. - Section 14 - 6 -- Long Term Financing. The incurring of indebtedness by the county and the issuance of evidences of such indebtedness shall be authorized, made and executed • -29- 5- in accordance with the laws of the state, including the borrowing of money to fund county projects, the pledging of project revenues in repayment thereof, and the issuance of revenue warrants, revenue bonds or other forms of evidence of such obligations. • Section 14 - 7 -- Limitation on Annual Tax Levy. (1) Limitation. Except as otherwise provided herein, all ad valorum tax levies for county purposes, when applied to the total valuation for assessment of the county, shall be reduced so as to prohibit the levying of a greater amount of tax revenue than was levied from ad valorum taxation in the preceeding year plus five per cent (5%) except to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon. (2) Increased levy -- procedure. (a) If the Board be of the opinion, the amount of tax limited by the preceeding Section will be insufficient for the county needs for the current year, it may submit the question of an increased levy to the County Council, and the County Council shall examine the needs of the County and ascertain from such examination the financial condition thereof, and if in the opinion of a majority of the County Council that the county is in need of additional funds, the Council may grant an increased levy for the county in such amount as it deems appropriate, and the county is authorized to make such increased levy. However, no such excess levy shall be granted which will allow a greater revenue than would be produced by applying the previous year mill levy to the current years assessed valuation. • (b) In case the County Council refuses or fails within fifteen (15) days after submission to it of an adopted budget to grant such increased levy, or all of it, or in the event an increase beyond that which the council is authorized to grant is sought, the question may be submitted to the qualified electors of the county at a general or special election called for that purpose. (c) Due notice of submission of the question of whether to grant the increase levy shall be given by the County Clerk for at least thirty (30) days in advance of the date set for the general or special election by giving a public notice as provided herein. If a majority of the votes cast at any such election is in favor of the increased levy as named in said election notice, then the county may make such increased levy. (d) In the event such increase shall be voted by the electors under the preceding subsections, the increased revenue resulting therefrom shall be included in determining the five per cent (5%) limitation in the following year. Section 14 - 8 -- Limitation of Capital Expenditures. Any one project, except hospital projects, requiring a capital expenditure out of funds procured by ad valorum taxation equal to a -30- I + three (3) mill levy for three (3) years, or a hospital project requiring a capital expenditure from ad valorum tax funds equal to a three (3) mill levy for three (3) years, shall be prohibited until such time as the 4I II question of expenditure of said funds shall have been first submitted to a vote of the qualified electors at a general or special election and shall have received a majority vote approving such expenditure. Section 14 - 9 -- Bidding -- Procedure. (1) The Board of County Commissioners shall adopt bidding procedures for county purchases which shall assure open and competitive bidding on all county purchases, and the Central Purchasing Division shall follow the procedures adopted in all county purchases. (2) Bid specifications shall be prepared in such a manner as to invite and encourage bidding from all suppliers of the goods and equip- ment being purchased by the County. No specifications shall be submitted to bidders so restrictive in detail as to eliminate any line of competi- l tive equipment. (3) The County Commissioners shall give preference to resident Weld County bidders in all cases where the bids are competitive in price and quality. (4) The County Commissioners shall enter in the minutes of the ` meeting, at which a purchase is made for other than a low bid, the reason for not accepting the low bid. (5) All purchases of $2,000.00 or more shall be by written, sealed bid and bids over $2,000.00 shall be followed by a ten day period for consideration and investigation of the bids submitted to determine comparisons of quality and price. The Commissioners shall accept the bid they find to be most beneficial to the County. * * * * * * ARTICLE XV ELECTIONS Section 15 - 1 -- General Elections. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, elected officers of the county shall be nominated and elected pursuant to state law at general elections. Section 15 - 2 -- Special Elections. 4 Special elections shall be called by resolution of the Board and conducted in accordance with the provisions of state law. Section 15 - 3 -- Recall. Any elected officer may be recalled from office at any time. . Once an election on recall has been held, no other election on recall -31- li of that same officer may be held for at least one year. The procedure for recall shall be as follows: (1) One or more qualified electors shall file with the Clerk an , affidavit of not more than two hundred (200) words stating the reasons • for requesting the recall. The Clerk shall, within forty-eight (48) hours after the filing of said affidavit, mail a copy of the affidavit by certified mail to the officer sought to be recalled who may, within five (5) days of receipt of said affidavit, file with the Clerk, a sworn statement of not more than two hundred (200) words in justifica- tion of his course in office. After receipt of the statement in defense, if any, but in no event later than ten (10) days after filing a copy of the affidavit to the officer, the Clerk shall issue a petition for recall. (2) Said petition shall include the statement of reasons for requesting recall and the officer's statement of justification if there be such a statement. Said petition must be signed by qualified electors numbering at least fifteen per cent (15%) of the total preceding election within the district from which the officer was elected or within the county in the case of an officer elected at large. (3) Each signer of a petition shall sign his name, and after his name, the date and his place of residence by street and number, rural route and box number, or other customary designation, except that a post office box number shall be insufficient. (4) The signed recall petition shall be filed with the Clerk within sixty (60) days after issuance. If said petition is filed within the time specified, and appears to be sufficient, the Board • shall set a date for a recall election to be held within sixty (60) days, unless a general election or a special election will be held within one hundred twenty (120) days following the filing of the petition, in which event the recall election may be held at the time of the general or special election. To each petition paper shall be attached an affidavit by the circulator thereof, stating the number of signers and affirming that each signature is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be, and that it was made in the presence of the affiant and that each signer has stated to the circulator that he is a qualified elector of the county. (5) All petitions shall be deemed and held to be sufficient if they appear to be signed by the requisite number of signers, and such signer shall be deemed and held to be a qualified elector, unless a protest in writing under oath shall be filed in the office of the Clerk by some qualified elector, within fifteen (15) days after such petition is filed, setting forth specifically the grounds of such protest. In the event of such protest, the Clerk shall forthwith mail a copy to the person or persons named in such petition as re- presenting the signers thereof, together with a notice fixing a time for hearing such protest which hearing shall be not less than five (5) nor more than ten (10) days after such notice is mailed. All hearings shall be before the Clerk, and all testimony shall be under oath. -32- • Such hearings shall be summary and not subject to delay, and must be concluded within thirty (30) days after such petition is filed, and the results thereof shall be forthwith certified to the person or persons representing the signers of such petition. • (6) In case the petition is not sufficient it may be withdrawn by the persons or a majority of the persons representing the signers of such petition, and may, within fifteen (15) days thereafter, be amended and refiled as an original petition. The finding as to the sufficiency of any petition may be reviewed by the District Court of Weld County, upon application of any person signing such petition, but such review shall be had and determined forthwith. (7) There shall be printed on the official ballot, as to every officer whose recall is to be voted on, the words, "Shall (name of the person against whom recall petition is filed) be retained in the office of (title of office)". The ballot shall provide for a "yes" or "no" vote. (8) If a majority of those voting on said question of the recall of any incumbent from office shall vote "yes", said incumbent shall continue in said office; if a majority shall vote "no", such imcumbent shall thereupon be deemed removed and the vacancy shall be filled as provided in this Charter. • Section 15 - 4 -- Initiative and Referendum. The people of Weld County reserve to themselves the powers of initiative and referendum, by petition, to have a law, proposed law, ▪ or amendment of a law, submitted for the registered voters of the county to approve or reject at the polls. An ordinance or resolution may be initiated by petition, or a referendum on an enacted ordinance or resolution may be had by petition, or the Board on its own motion in enacting an ordinance or resolution may provide for a referendum thereon. The referendum shall apply to all ordinances and resolutions, passed by the Board, except ordinances making the tax levy, making „ the annual appropriation, calling a special election or ordering improvements initiated by petition and to be paid for by special assessments. Measures passed as emergency measures shall be subject to referendum like other measures, except that they shall not be suspended from going into effect while referendum proceedings are pending. If, when submitted to a vote of the electors, an emergency measure be not approved by a majority of those voting thereon, it shall be considered repealed, as regards any further action there- under and all rights and privileges conferred by it shall be null and void; provided, however, that such measure so repealed shall be deemed sufficient authority for any payment made or expense incurred in accordance with the measure previous to the referendum vote thereon. (1) Procedure. (a) An initiative or referendum petition shall be signed by qualified electors numbering at least five per cent (5%) of ✓ -33- the total vote at the last general election, and all signatures on said petition shall be obtained within forty-five (45) days prior to the date of filing of the petition with the Clerk. Any such petition shall be addressed to the Board and may be an aggregate of two or more petition papers identical as to content • and simultaneously filed by one person. (b) An initiative petition shall set forth, in full, the ordinance or resolution it proposes to initiate and no petition shall propose to initiate more than one ordinance or resolution. A referendum petition shall identify the ordinance or resolution, or part thereof, it proposes to be submitted to the voters for approval. (c) Each signer of a petition shall sign his name, and after his name, the date and his place of residence by street number, rural route and box number, or by other customary designation, except that a post office box number shall be insuf- ficient. (d) To each petition paper shall be attached an affidavit by the circulator thereof, stating the number of signers and affirming that each signature is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be, and that it was made in the presence of the affiant. Such petition shall be filed with the Clerk who shall, within fifteen (15) days, canvass the signatures thereon. If the petition does not contain a sufficient number of signatures of qualified electors, the Clerk shall notify forth- with by certified mail the person filing such petition and fifteen (15) days from such notification shall be allowed for the filing of supplemental petition papers. (e) A referendum petition shall be void unless filed in the first instance with the Clerk within thirty (30) days after the effective date of the ordinance or resolution to which such petition refers. The time for review of the petition papers, if necessary, shall not render the petition void because of the aforesaid time limit. When a petition with sufficient signatures is filed within the time allowed, the Clerk shall present the petition to the Board at its next regular meeting. (2) Board Action. Upon presentation to the Board of an initiative or referendum petition, the Board shall, within thirty (30) days, either: (a) Adopt the ordinance or resolution as submitted by an initiative petition; (b) Repeal the ordinance or resolution, or part thereof, referred to by a referendum petition; (c) Submit the proposal provided for in the petition to the electors. -34- (3) Submission to Electors. Should the Board decide to submit the proposal to the electors, it shall be submitted at the next general election held in the county or, • at the discretion of the Board, at a special election; provided, however, that if no general or special election is to be held in the County within 120 days after presentation thereof, the Board shall call a special election to be held within sixty (60) days. (a) The presentation to the Board of a valid and sufficient referendum petition shall automatically suspend the operation of the ordinance or resolution in question pending repeal by the Board or final determination by the electors, except as heretofore pro- vided with regard to emergency measures. (b) The result of all elections held under the provisions of this Section shall be determined by a majority vote of the electors voting thereon. (c) An ordinance or resolution adopted by the electorate through initiatory proceedings may not be amended or repealed by the Board for a period of two (2) years and a resolution or ordinance repealed by the electorate may not be reenacted by the Board for a period of two (2) years. (d) If two or more ordinances or resolutions adopted at the same election shall have conflicting provisions, the provisions in the ordinance or resolution receiving the highest number of affirmative votes shall prevail as to such conflict and the adopted ordinance or resolution receiving the lesser amount of votes, to the extent it is severable, shall never the less be effective except as to the matters of conflict or inconsistency. (e) The Board shall not refer more than five (5) measures to the people at any general election. The number of measures to be submitted at a special election shall not be limited. * * * * * * ARTICLE XVI GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 16 - 1 -- Continuity of Government. The Board shall provide for continuity of government in the event of a disaster. It shall prescribe procedures which will preserve representative government and provide an orderly line of succession of authority when disaster makes such measures necessary. In no case will such temporary occupancy of elective offices extend beyond the next scheduled general election. • -35- Section 16 - 2 -- Eminent Domain. The county shall have the powers of eminent domain to the fullest extent authorized by state law. $ Section 16 - 3 -- Bonding of Officers. ' Members of the Board and such other officers or employees as the Board may require and as are required by this Charter shall give bond in an amount and with surety prescribed by the Board, or as required by law. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the county, and the bonds shall be filed with the County Clerk. The amount of each bond shall be re-established prior to each election. Section 16 - 4 -- Invalidity of Part -- Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction shall, by final judgment, N hold any part or provision of this Charter to be invalid or uncon- stitutional, all other provisions of this Charter shall be considered to be severable and shall not be affected thereby and the effect of such decision shall not extend beyond that required by the court's ruling. Section 16 - 5 -- Article and Section Titles. The Article and Section titles of this Charter are inserted for - reference and convenience only and shall not be construed to limit, prescribe, or in any way control the scope or intent of any provisions therein. Section 16 - 6 -- Public Notice. • Notice to the public of ordinances and of certain official acts, events, determinations, proceedings or meetings shall be given. Unless defined otherwise in the ordinances, rules or laws pertaining to the procedure to which the public notice relates, public notice may be by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or by such other media and in such form as may be prescribed by the Board. When the notice informs the public of some event to take place in the future, it shall be published at least five (5) days prior to such event. Section 16 - 7 -- Vacancy. Every elective county office shall become vacant, on the happening of any one of the following events, before the expiration of the term of office: (1) The death of the officer. (2) The resignation of the officer. (3) The removal of the officer, by recall or otherwise. -36- 4. (4) The officer ceasing to be a resident of Weld County, or in the case of an officer required to live in a district, ceasing to be a resident of the district from which elected. (5) The officer's refusal or neglect to take his oath of office, or renew his official bond, or to deposit such oath and bond within the time prescribed by law. (6) The final decision of a competent tribunal, declaring void an officer's election or appointment. (7) The final decision of a competent tribunal finding an officer guilty of a crime. Section 16 - 8 -- Boards -- Composition. The members of all appointive boards and commissions shall be broadly representative of the community and geographic area served. (1) The members of all appointed boards and commissions shall be appointed for three (3) year terms. (2) No person shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms on any one appointive board or commission. (3) No person who has been an elected officer of the County shall be appointed to an appointive board or commission until one year (1) after leaving office. • (4) Policy recommendations of advisory boards shall be considered by the Board and either accepted or rejected. If rejected in whole or in part, the reasons for such rejection shall be stated and made a part of the Board's records, open to the public. Section 16 - 9 -- Conflict of Interest. (1) General: No county officer, member of an appointed board, or employee shall have any interest in any enterprise or organization doing business with Weld County which might interfere with the unbiased discharge of his duty to the public and the best interest of the county. This restriction shall not apply where the officer, member of an appointed board, or employee's department has no direct contact no business transaction with any such enterprise or organization. (2) Specific: (a) No employee of the Central Purchasing Division shall have any interest in any enterprise or organization doint business with Weld County. (b) Neither the Treasurer no employees of the Treasurer's office shall have any proprietary interest in any financial insti- tution in which the County maintains deposits. -37- (3) Question referred to Council: ` In the event a question arises as to possible conflict of interest between any county officer, member of an appointed board, or employee, and any enterprise or organization doing business with Weld County, • the question will be presented to the County Council for review, inves- tigation, decision and resolution. The judgment and decision of the Council shall be considered final and shall be made a matter of public record. Section 16 - 10 -- Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the words or phrases defined herein shall be given the meaning set forth in this Section. (1) Affivavit -- A statement verifying the truth of the matters stated, and sworn to before a person authorized by law to administer oaths. (2) Administrative code -- A compilation of Board policies, directives and administrative procedures which relate primarily to internal functioning and to the conduct of county government, in regard to the public at large. (3) Agency -- Any board, bureau, commission, department, division, or other organizational unit in the administrative branch of county government. (4) Appropriation -- An authorization by the Board to expend from public funds a specific maximum sum for a specified purpose and during • a specified time. (5) Board -- The Board of County Commissioners. (6) Candidate -- Any person seeking nomination or election to any public office. (7) Chairman -- The Chairman of the Board. (8) Classification plan -- As related to the personnel system, the assignment of positions into occupational groups and series of classes determined by description of a class of positions which defines the class title and distinguishes one class of positions from other classes. It gives examples of typical duties and responsibilities found at its grade level, and defines minimum skills, knowledges, abilities, and education required. (9) Clerk -- The County Clerk. (10) Commissioner -- A member of the Board. (11) Council -- The County Council. (12) Councilman -- A member of the Council. -38- v (13) County -- Weld County, Colorado. (14) Crime -- A felony or a class 1 or 2 misdeameanor as defined • by state law, or a comparable federal crime or crime in some other state. Does not include petty or traffic offenses. (15) Department -- One of the major organizational units of the County. (16) Division -- A primary subdivision of a department. (17) Emergency Ordinance -- An ordinance, the passage of which shall be necessary to the preservation or protection of public health, property, or safety. (18) Employees -- All persons in county service who are not officers. (19) Initiative -- The provision whereby legislation may be initiated by petition and submitted to the voters for approval or rejection at the polls. (20) Law -- State law. (21) Masculine gender -- Includes feminine gender. (22) May -- Is considered permissive. a (23) Officer -- An elected official of the County. (24) Person -- An individual, firm, association or corporation. (25) Personnel policies -- As related to the personnel system, statements relative to the general management and procedure of the personnel system. (26) Personnel rules - As related to the personnel system, regu- lations and guidelines covering and concerning all, or most, relations between employee and employer. (27) Personnel System -- The County personnel policies, rules and regulations, job classifications and compensation plans. (28) Primary Employment -- Availability at all times to conduct County business without interference of other occupational activities. (29) Public Notice -- Notice as defined in this Charter. (30) Qualified elector -- A person entitled to vote at a general election, if registered, and if not registered, otherwise eligible to vote; the term is synonymous with qualified voter. (31) Recall -- The provision whereby a group of electors may, by petition, require that an election be held to allow the voters to determine if a County Officer should be removed from office. • -39- I (32) Referendum -- The provision whereby any ordinance or resolution, or part thereof, enacted by the Board may be referred to the voters of the County to approve or reject at the polls. (33) Shall -- Is considered mandatory. (34) State -- State of Colorado. (35) State Law, laws of the state, or laws -- All legislation governing Colorado, including the provisions of the State Constitution. References to State laws shall be construed as continuing references to them as they may be amended from time to time. * * * * * * ARTICLE XVII AMENDMENTS TO CHARTER Section 17 - 1 -- Procedure to Amend or Repeal Charter. (1) Action to amend this Charter shall be initiated by: (a) A petition or petitions signed by at least five per cent (5%) of the total number of votes cast at the last general election; or: (b) A resolution adopted by the Board submitting the proposed amendment or amendments to the qualified electors. (2) Action to repeal this Charter or to form a new Charter Commission may be initiated by a petition signed by at least fifteen per cent (15%) of the qualified electors of the county. (3) Within thirty (30) days of initiation of a proposed amendment, repeal, or Charter Convention measure, the Board shall publish notice of and call an election to be held not less than thirty (30) nor more than one hundred twenty days (120) days after said publication. The text of any proposed amendment shall be published with said notice. (4) If the proposal is for a Charter Commission, the election shall be scheduled at least sixty (60) days after publication of the notice. The procedure for the forming and functioning of a new Charter Commission shall comply as nearly as practicable with provisions relating to formation and functioning of an initial Charter Commission. (5) If a majority of the electors voting thereon vote for a proposed amendment, the amendment shall be deemed approved. If a majority of the electors voting thereon vote for repeal of the Charter, the Charter shall be deemed repealed and the County shall proceed to organize and operate pursuant to the statutes applicable to statutory counties. -40- , , r - ''r::-,.I - (6) A proposed amendment to the Charter shall be confined to a single subject which shall be clearly expressed in its title. • (7) No proposal for a Charter Commission, Charter amendment, or repeal of a Charter shall be initiated within twelve months (12) after rejection of a substantially similar proposal. No proceeding contesting the adoption of a Charter amendment shall be brought unless commenced within one hundred eighty days (180) after the election adopting the measure. Section 17 - 2 -- Conflicting Amendments. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between amendments voted upon at the same election and more than one of said amendments is adopted, then the amendment receiving the largest number of votes shall prevail as to such conflict or inconsistency and the adopted amendments receiving the lesser number of votes shall, if severable, be never the less effective except as to the matters of conflict or inconsistency. * * * * * * ARTICLE XVIII a TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS Section 18 - 1 -- Purpose of Article. The provisions of this Article relate to the transition from the existing form of government to the form of government established by this Charter. Where inconsistent with the foregoing articles in this charter, the provisions of this Article shall constitute excep- tions thereto. Section 18 - 2 -- Effective Date of Charter. Upon its adoption, this Charter shall become effective on the first working day of January, 1976, except as these transitional provisions require earlier or later implementation. Section 18 - 3 -- Transition of Elective County Offices. After adoption of this Charter, the status of elective officers shall be as follows: (1) Incumbent County Commissioners shall continue to serve as Commissioners of districts numbered one, two and three until such time as their terms of office would have expired if this Charter had not been adopted. (2) All other existing elective officers, as provided for in this Charter, shall continue to serve in their respective offices until such time as their term of office would have expired if this Charter had not been adopted. • -41- Section 18 - 4 -- Elections to Fill New Commissioner Positions. A special election shall be held following adoption of this Charter and prior to December 15, 1975, at which Commissioners shall be elected as follows: (1) One (1) Commissioner at large shall be elected for a one year (1) term, beginning January 1, 1976. At the next general election in November, 1976, two (2) Commissioners, one (1) each from geographic districts numbered one (1) and three (3) and one (1) Commissioner elected at large shall be elected for four (4) year terms. (2) One (1) Commissioner at large shall be elected for a three (3) year term beginning January 1, 1976. At the general election in November, 1978, one (1) Commissioner from geographic district numbered two (2) and one (1) Commissioner at large shall be elected for four (4) year terms. (3) In subsequent elections, Commissioners shall be elected for four (4) year terms, pursuant to Section 3 - 4 of this Charter. Section 18 - 5 -- Elections to Fill New County Councilman Positions. At the special election to be held, as provided in Section 4 of this Article, Councilmen shall be elected as follows: (1) One (1) councilman from geographic district numbered two (2) and one (1) councilman at large shall be elected for a one (1) year term beginning January 1, 1976. At the next general election in November, 1976, they shall be elected for four (4) year terms. • (2) Two (2) councilmen, one each from geogrpahic districts numbered one (1) and three (3) and one (1) councilman at large shall be elected for a three (3) year term beginning January 1, 1976. At the general election in November, 1978, they shall be elected for four (4) year terms. (3) In subsequent elections, councilmen shall be elected for four (4) year terms as provided in Section 13 - 3 of this Charter. Section 18 - 6 -- Salaries. Until otherwise established as provided by this Charter, the salaries of all elective officials shall remain the same as they existed on the effective date of this Charter. Section 18 - 7 -- Prior Legislation and Policies. All resolutions, motions, rules and regulations which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Charter, and which are in force on the effective date of this Charter, shall continue in force until repealed or amended. Existing resolutions which enact legislation measures shall be considered to be ordinances under this Charter. -42- • Section 18 - 8 -- Existing Contracts. (1) All rights, claims, actions, orders, contracts and legal or administrative proceedings shall continue except as modified pursuant • to the provisions of this Charter, and in each case shall be maintained, carried on or dealt with by the county department, office or agency appropriate under this Charter. (2) Nothing in this Charter shall abridge the rights, duties, or obligations heretofore obtained or incurred by contract or ordinance and legally entered into or passed by the county. Section 18 - 9 -- Continuation of Employment. All appointed employees of the county holding office on the effective date of this Charter shall continue to be employed at their existing salaries, subject to the provisions of this Charter and of the personnel system regulations adopted pursuant thereto. Section 18 - 10 -- Appointive Boards and Commissions. All appointive boards and commissions whose functions have not been transferred by this Charter to another agency or department, or otherwise dealt with by this Charter, shall continue to function until otherwise determined by the Board. Section 18 - 11 -- Continuation of Programs. All functions, operations, and programs now being conducted by the County may continue until otherwise provided by the Board. 410 -43- LETTER OF SL''MITTAL The Weld County Charter Commission hereby submits to the 4 Weld County Commissioners a proposed Charter for Home Rule for Weld County. The Charter Commission, elected at the general elec- tion in 1974, held its first meeting November 20, 1974. Pursuant to the statute, the Charter Commission did conduct a comprehensive study of the operation of Weld County government and of the ways in which the Weld County government might be im- proved or reorganized. A proposed Charter has been developed and public hearings held thereon as required by law. A majority of the members of the Charter Commission have voted to forward said Charter to the Weld County Board of Commissioners 4 for the setting of a referendum election not more than ninety (90) or less than forty-five (45) days from receipt of the charter as provided by C.R.S. 1973 30-11-505. / WE7( (C T C RTER COMMISSION i'7 ._ J ' L. Joh son, chairman 1 'p G ow s, Secretary /l �J f:/ John Chuck Ca lsoriJ • Lliam yt a ii h E. Wa d Jr., Ge •H. B oaks ,Adward L. Dunbar W E. Rosynoff , /,„.• Glenn K. Bi1rp s Rarry1d Fa enbroch _�`` -t)1,44.»l.v.. ti r i 10/I 1,1 S , :tAiyvl 0tAA/1f.1.— (J J.,Norman Bro i ° the 4. �f,,1 (— har1� C az nyhE e ly 6. �o E it Dopald.E. ESL tep"E_� ,,.`" /,,%:i 5iiia "'t' ,j grZ. eigarfd— /War L. BairJ !`�� ( .�Warr 7" ////2 7 7..,..-_-1 l�—J in Lesh "el. i J hn T Martin / 7 / �' Icy Na / Lark .•i Ruben Schissler ! Glen R. Anderson Hello