Officials Receive Draft of City Charter

Moving rapidly to meet election deadlines, Port Hueneme officials received the first draft of a seven-page city charter Wednesday.

In addition, the City Council announced that beginning today, it is accepting applications from residents willing to serve on a seven-member advisory committee that would participate in the process of turning Port Hueneme into a charter city.

Application forms are available from the city clerk’s office. Committee members will be appointed March 1 and will begin meeting March 6.

The charter briefly outlines the powers, duties, organization and governance of the city. The document is a basic one, said consultant Doug Ayres, noting that the U. S. Constitution is only 10 pages long.

The City Council is aiming for residents to vote on switching Port Hueneme’s status from a general law to charter city in November. That means meeting a July 6 deadline for placing the issue on the ballot.

Becoming a charter city would give Port Hueneme more control over its finances and greater freedom from state dictates, municipal officials say. A charter will save the city 8% to 10% of its annual budget of about $11 million, Ayres said.

“This charter will provide the maximum amount of legal capability, the maximum amount of flexibility, and the maximum immunity from the Legislature and the governor,” Ayres said.

For information on applying for the advisory committee, call 986-6501.