Abby Cambiano
Northeast News

Seven questions will be on November’s ballot about proposed county charter amendments for Jackson County. The Northeast News has summarized the questions to increase informed voting.

These sections were adopted on November 3, 1970 and previously amended on August 8, 1978, April 2, 1985, November 4, 1986, August 2, 1994, and August 3, 2010.

The full official ballot language and corresponding articles of the Jackson County Charter, complete with proposed additions and deletions, can be found on the Jackson County website. (link https://www.jacksongov.org/1039/Proposed-Charter-Changes)

•Question 1 asks if Sections 6, 12, 13, 15 and 16 of Article II and Section 6.1 of Article III should be amended in various sections to provide term limits for members of County Legislature.

The amendments would eliminate the County Executive’s power to veto an ordinance passed by the County Legislature to submit a charter amendment to the voters, as well as eliminate the County Executive’s power to line-item veto a portion or portions of an appropriation ordinance.

It would also provide a salary increase for members of the County Legislature and modify the specific circumstances under which members of the Count Legislature forfeit office. In addition, it would grant the County Legislature the power to amend the adopted county budget and clarify the authority of advisors employed by the legislature.

•Question 2 asks whether Article III of the Jackson County Charter should be amended in various sections to provide term limits for the County Executive, set specific circumstances under which the County Executive should forfeit office, restrict the power of the County Executive to employ experts and consultants, and require the County Executive to notify County Legislature of any correction of errors in assessment and tax records.

Question 2 would also provide a salary increase for the County Executive.

•Question 3 asks if Sections 6 and 7 of Article IV and Sections 1, 4, and 6 of Article VIII should be amended to provide term limits for the Sheriff, set specific circumstances under which the Sheriff should vacate office.

Question 3 would also grant the Sheriff the duty and authority to operate the county detention center and other detention facilities, grant the Sheriff limited authority to enter into contracts to support the Sheriff’s Office.

If passed, this amendment would provide a salary increase for the Sheriff.

•Question 4 concerns Article V, VII and IX. It asks if term limits should be provided for the Prosecuting Attorney and to set out specific circumstances under which the Prosecuting Attorney should forfeit office.

It would also grant the Prosecuting Attorney broad authority over the County’s anti-drug/anti-crime sales tax, subject to prescribed legislative oversight and limited authority to enter into contracts to support the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

If passed, it would grant the Prosecuting Attorney sole authority to prosecute cases in County Municipal Court and place attorneys and investigators within the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office under the County’s merit system of personnel administration.

This question would also provide a salary increase for the Prosecuting Attorney.

•Question 5 asks if Sections 6 and 7 of Article V should be amended to grant the County Legislature the authority to remove the County Counselor and to restrict the counselor’s authority to enter into contracts for legal services without legislature approval and to file lawsuits involving the County Legislature.

•Question 6 asks voters to consider whether Section 7 of Article VII should be amended to modify the qualifications for appointment as Judge of the County Municipal Court.

•Question 7 asks if Article XIII should be amended to bar a current holder of any other federal, state, or municipal elective office from filing as a candidate for any County elective office.