CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) - Chula Vista officials are seeking the community’s input on potential changes to certain aspects of the city’s government.
Residents have until March 25 to participate in the city’s Charter Review Commission (CRC) survey, with the goal of the survey to gain a better understanding on how the community feels about specific topics, such as term limits for elected officials and salaries for City Council members and the mayor.
While the anonymous survey will “not directly change any City laws,” the CRC says the feedback is important as they consider making future adjustments to the city’s charter.
For example, one question asks Chula Vista residents if they would be in favor of a rule in which the elected City Attorney must be a Chula Vista resident. Currently, under Charter Section 503, the elected City Attorney is required to be a California resident, but not required to live in Chula Vista.
In the section of the survey pertaining to salaries for the mayor and City Council members, residents are asked for their feedback on how the pay for those positions is determined.
Tom O'Donnell, chair of the CRC, said any proposed amendments to the city’s charter are presented to residents, members of the commission, the City Council and city manager.
“The CRC allows for open discussion of these proposed amendments and a means to solicit Chula Vista citizen input. After vetting and legal review of the proposed amendments, the CRC prepares a formal recommendation to the City Council. [The] City Council-approved proposed amendments are prepared for placement before the voters as a ballot initiative,” O’Donnell added.
According to O’Donnell, once the survey results are tabulated and reviewed, the findings are shared at an open city meeting and with the City Council. From there, any proposed amendments are recommended to the City Council based on the survey responses and any follow-up input from residents.
Ballot language is prepared if any proposed amendments are approved by the City Council.
If you’re a resident of Chula Vista, click here to complete the survey.
The deadline to submit a completed survey is March 25.
