TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A committee is set to start the process tomorrow of deciding whether or not Leon County\u2019s local laws, known as ordinances, should supersede those passed by the City of Tallahassee.<\/p>\n
Plus, the committee can proposed any other changes to Leon County\u2019s charter, which operates as a type of local constitution.<\/p>\n
Leon County is run by a seven-member commission, elected by voters across the entire county, including those within city limits. Meanwhile, the City of Tallahassee is run by a five-member commission elected by voters only within \u201ccity limits.\u201d<\/p>\n
Right now, if a county law and a city law conflict, the city\u2019s wins out inside the city limits except for on environmental regulation. But a proposal could work its way through the process that would see Leon County ordinances winning out anytime there\u2019s a conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a really interesting and dynamic, widely representative group of people tackling issues related to our local government right now. So if you care to get involved, I would encourage you to reach out to your members,\u201d Ryan Ray, one of the charter review committee members, said.<\/p>\n
More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n
Previously, the Leon County commission voted 4-3 to refer the matter to the Citizen Charter Review Committee, according to Committee Chair Mary Ann Lindley. <\/p>\n
To actually put the charter amendment before the voters, a majority of county commissioners must agree, assuming the committee recommended the change.<\/p>\n
The committee will hold its first substantive meeting on Thursday, where a 21-member panel will debate the issue. County staff have presented the committee members with five options:<\/p>\n
Accept this report and table this issue. Request additional information and analysis on charter government, regulatory authority, and\/or the prevalence of county ordinances in the event of a conflict with municipal ordinances. Direct staff to prepare a proposed charter amendment providing that all county ordinances shall prevail in the event of a conflict with municipal ordinances, to the extent otherwise permitted by law. Direct staff to prepare a proposed charter amendment(s) providing that specific county ordinances or subject area(s), as identified by the Committee, shall prevail in the event of a conflict with municipal ordinances. Committee direction.<\/p>\n
Under option three, county laws would always prevail. Under option four, county laws would prevail in specific circumstances, like right now, when it comes to environmental regulation.<\/p>\n
In agenda materials<\/a>, county staff wrote that of 18 counties similar to Leon County, 11 have county ordinances win out in specific circumstances, while seven say city ordinances win out.<\/p>\n For example, Broward County is similar to Leon County\u2019s current rules, allowing specific exceptions, while Brevard County does not.<\/p>\n The process will play out like this: The review committee will recommend changes to the charter by a specific majority vote, Lindley said. Then, the matter is referred to the county commission, where a majority vote puts the proposed amendment on the ballot.<\/p>\n But voters get the ultimate say, likely on the primary or general election ballot next year. The county charter is similar to the State or Federal Constitutions, where ordinances are like the laws or statutes. <\/p>\n \u201cYou can think about the work that we\u2019re doing as proposing amendments on our own local bill of rights,\u201d another committee member Max Herrle said.<\/p>\n For example, Tallahassee voters recently voted to amend the city\u2019s charter to increase commissioner pay, give greater protections<\/a> to a watchdog and provide for simpler elections when only two candidates are running. <\/p>\n Citizens themselves can also amend the county charter by gaining the signatures of 10% of registered voters countywide, and 10% from each county commission district. The measure would then go before all voters, but that process has never been used.<\/p>\n Similarly, the county commission can directly propose a charter change with five out of seven votes, but so far, they\u2019ve only used the committee approach.<\/p>\n In 2010, the committee recommended seven amendments, six of which were approved for the ballot by the county commission, and five of which were ultimately adopted by voters. That includes amendments on campaign contributions, tourism development and a non-interference policy,<\/p>\n In 2018, the committee recommended two amendments, including the environmental regulations, which are now law. But the committee also proposed a charter amendment regarding the employment of the county attorney, though that measure never made its way to voters as the county commission voted it down, according to agenda materials.<\/p>\n Both Committee Members Max Herrle and Ryan Ray said Thursday\u2019s meeting is the first chance for members of the public to propose their own charter amendments or give input.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is really about people determining what kind of city and county we want to live in,\u201d Herrle said. \u201cWhat kind of future for our community do we want to live in? And, in order to determine that, we need to hear from you.\u201d<\/p>\n The 21-member committee will take public comment, and could talk clean air proposals, firefighter funding, a \u201cLeon County Bill of Rights,\u201d or any other number of issues.<\/p>\n Ray said it\u2019s a rare chance for the community to start a new proposal in a sandbox, instead of something already before the city or county commission.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I think this is one of those processes where the sort of state of play is the most even-handed. And it\u2019s a true opportunity to kind of take a true look at what\u2019s going on under the hood of our county,\u201d Ray said.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n