Sugar Land City Hall

Sugar Land officials are seeking volunteers to review the city's charter, a document that provides the foundation for governance in Sugar Land.In 1981, Sugar Land citizens voted to adopt the city's first home rule charter. By converting from a general law city to a home rule city, citizens chose to exercise their right under the Texas Constitution to make local laws to govern their own affairs. The charter is the city's "constitution" and cannot be amended except by approval of the voters and not more than every two years, according to a release from the city.The charter includes provisions for a council-manager form of government, legislative authority of the City Council, general election provisions, finance provisions and several other items outlining the governance of Sugar Land. The charter is available online The City Council is expected to appoint members to the Charter Review Commission in November. The commission's recommendation to the council is expected to come forth early next year with a possible charter review election called in the future."The charter review commission is a vital part of city government," City Manager Allen Bogard said in the release. "It is important that the commission is composed of qualified, dependable and effective individuals who reflect the diversity of the community and geographical representation of the public."Previous Charter Review Commissions have taken the view that the charter is the city's "constitution" and should only include the fundamental matters of local government. For example, the number of council members and the manner of election (by majority or plurality vote) are fundamental matters that should be addressed by the charter, the release stated.Individuals who would like to serve on the Charter Review Commission should fill out an application on the city's website . The deadline to apply has been extended to Oct. 14."Members of the commission should be representative of individuals with a background knowledge and expertise that will recognize and understand the legal complexities of the government structure," Bogard said. "They should be representatives who will bring forth neutral perspectives that promote and support the goal of effective local government."