Charter Meeting

---

Zox Cass Lakeside Village Charter Commission*

Office and Phone Number to be Established

NOTICE OF MEETING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special meeting of the Zox Cass Lakeside Village Charter Commission shall be held on Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Community Center, located at 4929 Greer Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan

The business to be conducted at the meeting shall include:

1. How is a vacancy filled with the council

2. How are amounts paid to council heads determined? President, VP, and Trustees, Clerk, and Treasurer

3. How many signatures does someone need to run for council during elections

4. Duties of the clerk and treasurer

5. Duties of the president

6. Duties of the Vice President

7. Does the treasurer do an annual audit

8. Fiscal Year of the Village

9. General Powers followed by the Home Rule Act

10. Powers of the Village

11. Can the council borrow money

12. What happens with a budget shortfall

13. Define rules and if they require and ordinance or a resolution

14. Shall we allow for recall of ordinances by voters. Is it defined by law?

15. How will late fees on water, tax and docks be handled

16. Meetings and timing of all meetings

17. State government grants and how to manage

18. Land management decision and sales

19. Legal aspects against the village

20. Insurance and what to carry

21. Permitting process

22. Handling of special assessments

23. Appointment of advisory board

24. Hiring of vendors

25. Naming of the community center?

26. Village documents held where

27. Department creation

28. Zoning decisions

*The name Zox Cass Lakeside Village Charter Commission is an interim name, to remain in place until a permanent name is selected.

 A charter commission creates a village charter and then adopts it by the local electors (voters). This process gives the community the right to establish its own "home rule" government, outlining the structure, powers, and responsibilities of its local officials. The process of creating a village charter. The specific method is typically outlined in state law, such as Michigan's Home Rule Village Act, but generally follows these steps:

• Petition for incorporation: A group of residents in a qualifying territory gathers signatures to petition the state to become an incorporated village.
• Election of a charter commission: Once the petition is approved, residents elect a charter commission. These commissioners are responsible for drafting the proposed charter.
• Drafting the charter: The commission writes the charter, which serves as a local constitution. It covers key topics, including:
  • The structure of government (e.g., how the president, clerk, and council are elected).
  • The powers and duties of elected officials.
  • Procedures for taxation, budgeting, and elections.
• Voter approval: The final charter is put to a vote. The village officially becomes "incorporated" and the charter takes effect only after it has been approved by a majority of the voters. 

 A village charter is a foundational legal document that establishes the framework for a village's local government, similar to a constitution for a state or nation. It outlines the powers, duties, and structure of the village government, defines the roles of elected officials, and provides a framework for citizen involvement in local affairs. Here's a more detailed breakdown:1. Establishes the Government Structure: 

• A village charter defines how the village government is organized, including the roles and responsibilities of different departments and officials.
• It outlines the procedures for elections, appointments, and other governmental processes.

2. Defines Municipal Powers: 

• The charter specifies what actions the village government can legally take, such as enacting ordinances, providing services, and managing finances.
• It also defines limitations on the village's power, ensuring that it operates within legal and constitutional bounds.

3. Provides a Framework for Citizen Engagement:

• A charter can include mechanisms for citizen participation in local decision-making, such as initiatives, referendums, and recall elections. 
• It can also outline procedures for public access to government information and meetings. 

4. Serves as a Local Constitution: 

• Similar to how a state or federal constitution provides the foundation for a larger government, a village charter serves as the fundamental legal document for the village.
• It provides the basis for all other local laws and regulations.

5. Allows for Home Rule: 

• In Michigan, for example, home rule villages have charters that they have drafted themselves, allowing them to tailor their government to their specific needs and preferences.
• This contrasts with general law villages, which operate under a state-mandated charter.

In essence, a village charter is a crucial document that empowers a village to govern itself effectively and responsively.