Buffalo Charter Commission Meeting to Vote
Show Up to the City Charter Commission Vote!
From Partnership for the Public Good:
Join us at the City Charter Commission meeting on July 8th at 5pm in City Hall, Room 912 to speak up for reforms our city needs!
The Commission is meeting to vote on three major agenda items:
Civilian Police Advisory Board — Buffalo still has no meaningful, independent system for police accountability, leaving victims with only the department itself to investigate complaints. This proposal would create a police advisory committee made up of citizens, something advocates have pushed for since before the 2020 protests.
City Budgeting and Taxes — The Commission is considering giving the city comptroller more control over the annual budget. It’s also looking at allowing financially strapped homeowners to pay property taxes in more than two installments each year. These changes could ease the burden on Buffalo families struggling to keep up with rising costs.
Electoral Reform — Proposals include instituting ranked-choice voting in city elections and allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in party primaries. The Commission is also considering cutting the number of signatures candidates need to get on the ballot. Together, these changes could make our elections more accessible and representative.
Draft proposals are available at: http://www.buffalony.gov/1802/City-of-Buffalo-Charter-Revision-Commiss
Every meeting opens with a 10-minute public comment period, and this is our chance to make sure the people who will live with these decisions are the ones shaping them.
These reforms will determine the initial steps for an accountable, transparent, and responsive city government for years to come.
The City of Buffalo Charter Revision Commission is charged with conducting a comprehensive review of the charter of the City of Buffalo to ensure that the needs of the residents are best addressed, reflects the best practices of modern government, and aligns with both state and federal laws.