As Bay Area cities like Oakland and San Francisco consider potential revisions to their city charters, now is the time to deepen our understanding of what a city charter is, and why it matters. A city charter functions as the foundational legal document for local government, outlining the “rules” for everything from the powers of elected officials to how departments are organized and how public services are delivered.
Charter reform is a unique opportunity to re-think a city’s “rulebook” and evaluate how its governance can better support local governments in meeting the needs of its citizens. In this educational webinar, we’ll break down the role a charter plays in local government, what the process looks like for adopting or amending one, and why thoughtful charter design is essential for good governance and effective public service.