This Charter, with all subsequent amendments hereto, shall constitute
the form of government for the County of Sullivan and shall be known
and may be cited as the "Sullivan County Charter."
[Amended 10-18-2007 by L.L. No. 9-2007]
It is the legislative intent of this Charter to provide for
the orderly government and management of the County of Sullivan. It
is also the intent of this Charter to provide for a government that
is efficient, effective, accountable, inclusive, open, and environmentally
and fiscally responsible. Consistent with this intent, this Charter
allocates duties and responsibilities in County Government. This Charter
will:
A.
Secure all possible home rule.
B.
Separate legislative and administrative functions in county government.
C.
Increase communication with the public concerning management of the
county and encourage public participation in county governance.
D.
Reduce conflicts and the potential for conflicts between the various
branches and departments of government and between government employees
and the private sector.
E.
Encourage flexibility in the organizational structures of county
government.
The County of Sullivan shall continue to be a municipal corporation
and shall have all the powers and perform all the duties now or hereafter
conferred or imposed upon it by this Charter or applicable New York
State Law, together with all rights, privileges, functions and powers
necessarily implied or incidental thereto.
Any New York State law which is inconsistent with this Charter
shall be superseded by the provisions hereof to the extent of its
inconsistency, except where supersession is restricted by state law.
Except to the extent to which they may be inconsistent with
the provisions of this Charter, all existing laws, resolutions, rules
and regulations heretofore adopted shall continue in full force and
effect until amended, superseded or repealed as provided herein.
[Amended 9-8-1994 by L.L. No. 6-1994[1]]
A.
Within two years after the enactment of this Charter, the County
Legislature shall appoint a Charter Revision Commission, composed
of qualified electors of Sullivan County and representing various
segments of the community, to review the implementation of the Charter
and propose amendments, if required. Additional Charter Revision Commissions,
composed of qualified county electors chosen by the County Legislature
and representing various segments of the community, shall be appointed
at least once every 10 years thereafter to review and propose revisions
to this Charter, if required.
B.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that the County
Legislature, by a majority of votes, may not propose propositions
for amendment of this Charter for public referendum at any general
or special election in the County of Sullivan.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law was approved by a majority of
the qualified electors voting at the general election held 11-8-1994.
After initial passage of this Charter Law by the electorate,
the Board of Supervisors shall appropriate the necessary moneys and
proceed to complete a plan of a legislative form of government, including,
but not limited to, setting up legislative districts with defined
boundaries, establishing the salaries of the legislators and all other
legal requirements in order to provide the electorate of Sullivan
County with a clear and precise picture of how a proposed legislative
form of government will affect them. An amendment to this Charter
Law, giving the electorate the option of voting for such a legislative
form or retaining the Board of Supervisors system, shall be placed
on the ballot no later than November 1994.
