Changing the charter

n Following the Feb. 21 village council approval of the charter amendment resolution, the resolution is required by law to ‘lay on the table? for 30 days and be published, giving residents opportunity for feedback
n Village council may approve charter amendment ballot language on or after March 23, 2005
n If council approves, ballot language is sent to governor’s office for state attorney general’s approval, and sent to county
n If approved by state, charter amendment will be voted on by village residents in an election tentatively set for Aug. 2, 2005
n If village residents vote yes, charter is permanently changed to allow residents to initiate dissolution if desired
n To initiate dissolution, residents collect signatures from 15 percent of registered village voters, after which village council chooses one of two options:
1. The council may immediately put a village dissolution question to a vote; it must be passed by a supermajority, or two-thirds of voters, in both Goodrich and Atlas Township
2. The council may alternatively form a disincorporation commission with three Goodrich and three Atlas Township members to draft a dissolution plan to handle assets, liabilities, services, and other obligations.
If draft is approved by both the Goodrich Village Council and Atlas Township Board, the plan is put up for a majority vote of 50 percent plus one voter in both Goodrich and Atlas Township.
If this alternate option fails for lack of participation, or if not passed by one board, an election is forced under Option 1, since the amended charter requires a vote within one year of receiving petition signatures