Could the city of Erie explore other forms of government besides a home rule charter?
However, Erie City Council is considering expanding the scope of that study and pushing any ballot referendum into 2026.
City Council, at its Aug. 6 meeting, is expected to consider a first-reading ordinance related to what's known as a home rule form of government.
Council gave final approval to a different home rule charter ordinance on April 16. But if this new ordinance receives majority approval from City Council, that April ordinance would be repealed.
More: Erie City Council approves home rule charter ordinance. What's next?
Here are more details about the new legislation City Council is considering.
What would this latest ordinance do?
The ordinance City Council approved in April did not put home rule in place.
Instead, it authorized the creation of a ballot question that would ask city voters if they want to launch a nine-member commission to study the possibility of moving to a home rule charter.
This new ordinance would also do that.
However, 'the City desires to expand the scope of this governmental study to analyze both a home rule charter and all other optional forms of government that may benefit the City of Erie,' the new ordinance states.
That means a study commission could consider forms of government other than home rule — which is a process that would essentially empower city government to create its own constitution with greater flexibility and independence regarding issues such as city operations, taxation and executive/legislative structure.
Erie currently adheres to the state's Third Class City Code, with an optional charter, in terms of how its government operates.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the basic authority to act in municipal affairs under home rule 'is transferred from state law, as set forth by the General Assembly, to a local charter, adopted and amended by the voters."
Home rule municipalities also have significant latitude to craft their own governmental rules in various areas, according to DCED, except where specifically limited by state law.
Government study in Millcreek, too: Millcreek Government Study Commission findings and recommendations to be shared soon
City Councilman Chuck Nelson is among those who have advocated hardest for a home rule study, saying the move would give citizens more say on how the city is governed and give city officials more ability to craft laws and make decisions based on needs specific to Erie.
Council members Tyler Titus, Ed Brzezinski, Jasmine Flores, Maurice Troop and Kathy Schaaf voted for the ordinance on April 16. Nelson and Council President Mel Witherspoon were absent.
Voters in Lancaster recently approved a home rule study. Two other third-class cities in Pennsylvania, Reading and Allentown, adopted home rule decades ago.
If city voters approve a government study, the commission would compile a public report on what a new form of government might look like in Erie and make a recommendation on whether or not to move forward.
Then Erie voters would either approve or reject any proposed new form of government through a second ballot question. The entire process could take years.
When might a referendum take place?
The ordinance approved by City Council in April could have placed the study commission ballot question on the ballot as soon as the Nov. 4 municipal election.
But the ordinance that will be considered by City Council on Aug. 6 specifies that 'the City desires to create a referendum question asking voters at the May 19, 2026 Primary Election if they want to form a commission of citizens to study all possible forms of government that may help the City of Erie.'
Citizens interested in serving on the home rule commission would have to be elected to those posts in relation to the ballot question. Those candidates will be required to collect 200 non-partisan signatures on nominating petitions, similar to what other candidates for elected office are required to do.
If city voters approve a home rule study, the commission would compile a public report on what a new form of government might look like in Erie and make a recommendation on whether or not to move forward.
Then Erie voters would either approve or reject any proposed new form of government through a second ballot question. The entire process could take years.
The new study commission ordinance would need to pass two readings of City Council to take effect. That means if council gives preliminary approval to the ordinance on Aug. 6, council could take a final vote as soon as its next regular meeting, scheduled for Aug. 20.
City Council's Aug. 6 meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Bagnoni Council Chambers at City Hall, 626 State St. The meeting can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube.
Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at@ETNflowers
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Why Erie City Council could expand scope of home rule study
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