Key Provisions of the Proposed Afton Home Rule Charter:
- Provides a legal basis for practices and provisions that have served Afton well over the years so that future councils cannot arbitrarily change how Afton is governed.
- Provides the City of Afton with a possible constitutional legal defense against expansion of the MUSA line by the Met Council so that Afton can remain rural and not be included with Lake Elmo and other cities for sewers and urban expansion.
- Provides an Initiative process for citizens to propose an ordinance for adoption by a majority vote of citizens, that will improve conditions for the city and its citizens.
- Provides a Referendum process for citizens to force the City Council to either reconsider an unpopular ordinance or send it to the citizens for a vote.
- Places a cap on property tax increases along with important provisions to ensure sound and prudent fiscal management of the city's funds, debt and borrowing.
Click to download a copy of the proposed Home Rule Charter. More information and an overview of provisions contained in the proposed Home Rule Charter is available on the About page on this website.
Background & Status:
In 2007, over 250 Afton citizens petitioned for drafting a Charter for submission to Afton voters for adoption. The Afton Charter Commission was judicially appointed in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 410.05 to determine whether it is necessary or desirable to frame a home rule charter for Afton, MN. The Charter Commission's first meeting was on January 11, 2008.
- The proposed Home Rule Charter document was finalized at the July 26, 2010 Afton Charter Commission meeting.
- The final proposed Home Rule Charter was approved by a 7-3 majority of Afton Charter Commission members at the July 28, 2010 meeting.
- This final proposed Home Rule Charter document can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here.
- The Afton Charter Commission notified the Afton City Council at the July 20, 2010 Council meeting, to include the Home Rule Charter on the ballot for citizen voting at the November 2, 2010 General Election.
- The Afton Charter Commission held 2 public information meetings in Sep/Oct 2010, to present, discuss and answer questions related to the proposed Home Rule Charter.
- At the November 2 elections; Afton citizens voted to not adopt the proposed Charter and voted to discharge the Charter Commission.
The Afton Charter Commission meetings are open to the public. Check the Meetings page on this website for dates and locations.
For more information, comments and questions, contact the Charter Commission
NOTICE: The Afton Charter Commission has 4 openings for Commission Members.
If you wish to be considered for appointment, please send a brief letter stating why you want to be appointed and how you can contribute to the Afton Charter Commission to:
Judge Timothy R. Bloomquist,
Chief Judge of the Tenth Judicial District,
18 North Vine St.,
Mora, MN 55051
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