Pass: 6,818 / 58.2% Yes votes ...... 4,898 / 41.8% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote on this measure means:

A "yes" vote will be in favor of adopting the charter.

A NO vote on this measure means:

A "no" vote will be opposed to adopting the charter.

Cities in California fall into two categories - general law cities and charter cities. El Cajon is a general law city.

As a general law city, El Cajon is controlled by applicable state laws. If residents adopt the charter, El Cajon would become a charter city and would be able to adopt ordinances on matters of local concern without having to seek authority under state law.

Areas of local concern include public bidding and contracting requirements, some zoning matters, establishment of election dates, personnel matters and procedures and establishment of procedures for adopting city ordinances.

Laws related to employer-employee relations, conflicts of interest, environmental protection, governmental transparency through availability of public records and open meeting laws, are some examples of matters of statewide concern that would still apply to the City after adoption of a charter. The California and United States Constitutions apply to both general law and charter cities.

The key provisions of the charter include the following:

The City is granted all powers that may be exercised in a charter city over its municipal affairs, and further provides that all local laws not in conflict with the charter remain in effect unless repealed, amended, changed or superseded.

The existing Council/City Manager form of government is preserved. The voter-approved method of electing a Mayor is retained.

The City is exempted from state statutes regulating public contracting and purchasing except as provided by: the charter, an ordinance, or an agreement approved by the City Council. Public Works contracts with a total value of $50,000 or less will be exempt from public bidding and follow procedures for open market hiring of contractors, or purchase of supplies, set by the City Council. The City Council will establish all aspects of the bidding, award, and performance of Public Works contracts greater than $50,000.

The charter would prohibit the City Council from requiring the payment of prevailing wages on City public works contracts unless prevailing wages are: required by state or federal grants or laws, the contract does not involve a municipal affair or is paid for (in whole or in part) using state or federal funds, or the contract requiring the payment of prevailing wages is authorized by the City Council.

The City Council is allowed to establish the maximum amount of civil fines or penalties up to $2,500 for each day of a violation.

The salaries of the Mayor and Councilmembers will continue to be set by state law. The Mayor's and Councilmembers' salaries will remain in place until changed in accordance with provisions of Section 601 of the charter.

The charter may be adopted, amended or repealed by majority vote of the electorate.

UT San Diego

• El Cajon voters weigh charter move - 5/25/12

• El Cajon Charter City Initiative Sparks Heated Controversy - 05/06/12
• LABOR COUNCIL SAYS NO ON "A" "B" AND "D" - 05/04/12

Yes on D

El Cajon Charter City: Proposition D

No on D

This is an article written for the East County Democratic Club by the co-presidents as their monthly message.

Arguments Against Proposition D

Arguments against the proposed charter for City of El Cajon