Union Parish voters should be offered a home rule proposal

STAFF REPORT editor@fgazette.com

Part Three of Three

Union Parish should appoint a broadly representative charter commission to prepare a president-council proposal for public review. The commission should include people with financial, management, and legal experience, together with residents from the parish’s towns and rural communities.

Louisiana law gives the Police Jury authority to appoint a charter commission or call an election to elect one. Residents can also petition for an election to choose a commission. A valid petition requires signatures from at least 10 percent of parish electors or 10,000 electors, whichever is fewer, subject to statutory requirements.

Preparing a charter would not itself replace the government. The proposed charter would require approval by a majority of voters casting ballots on that question.