A Charter for Accountability to the people

As Ogden Valley is established as a city, its residents have one opportunity to build a foundation that will provide lasting protection. A city charter offers the key benefit of empowering the people to self-govern and ensure their rights and liberties are protected.

faq’s

Brief Overview

What is a City Charter?

City Charters – Key Benefits:

Self-governance

A charter grants the people the opportunity to set the standard by which they will be governed which cannot be simply changed by governing officials.

Flexibility in Governing

A charter can be amended when both city officials vote to do so and the vote is ratified by popular vote.

Enhanced Local Control

Charter cities give the people of their communities greater control and presents a better balance between the people’s vote and their elected councilmen an mayor.

Greater Citizen Participation

A charter can facilitate increased participation from residents in the decision-making process, fostering a more democratic and accountable government.

Prioritization of Local Concerns

A charter allows cities to address local issues without needing constant approval from the state legislature.

A City Constitution

Like our nation’s Constitution, a charter will provides both a vision and a framework within which we operate. It provides a natural check to representative power, without devolving into mobocracy.

Timeline

June 2-6 2025

Candidate Declaration
Those wishing to run for District Council or Mayor must submit their names at the Ogden Valley Library. You will then be able to ask candidates whether they support a charter.

August 12 2025

Primary election day
If two or more candidates have registered for a given district or for the mayor, there will be a non-partisan primary

Nov 4 2025

General election day
Town Council and Mayor will be elected.

Jan 2026

We’re officially a City!
We can now take action on any number of items – City name, statutes, zoning, taxes, and moving to adopt a city charter.

Nov 2026

City Charter Vote
If the City Council approves the motion to create a charter, a committee will have been appointed to create the actual document. Citizens will then vote in this election on whether to adopt it.

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Think of it as a city’s constitution. It sets the “guardrails” within which a city council and mayor must operate. It gives the people the ultimate say in what can and can’t be done with their city, and therefore provides some protection against future abuse or corruption

While we can’t actually work a legally binding charter now, it’s important to start educating the general public about what it is and why they should vote for one. It will also be helpful to understand which candidates are supportive of a charter and what they think it should include

The actual charter wouldn’t be written until the City Council is elected and takes office, and then move to create a 15 member committee who will actually write the charter. Once that is written and approved by the City Council (with public comment and transparency), the Charter would then be voted on by referendum in an election.

The soonest one could take effect would be January 2027.

Absolutely! Just like the Constitution, it can be amended in the future when the people find that it no longer serves their interest. This is ultimately accomplished by popular vote.

Almost anything not restricted by the Utah or US Constitutions. It can address anything from limiting taxes and requiring balanced budgets to specifying zoning rules.

You could. But, the town’s management will have no guardrails. No binding document that constrains their ability to tax or zone or manage. There will be accountability, of course, through general election – but that is often a “too little, too late” solution for what can often times be well intended blunders.

Yes, with limits. If decisions have been made prior to the charter’s adoption that would have been restricted – those are unlikely to be reversed since it would likely result in lawsuits or other legal difficulties. For this reason it is critical to adopt one as soon as possible

Yes, some examples are provided below: