Mount Vernon Voting On City Charter Revisions

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A commission and advisory committee have come up with four revisions to the Mount Vernon City Charter, and they are asking voters to approve them.

First adopted in 1922, the charter serves as a local constitution, creating the framework for city government.

The four revisions are:

Comprehensive Plan

Proposal requiring the City Council to adopt a Comprehensive Plan for the City that will be updated and reviewed at least once every ten years, to be prepared by the Planning Department with input and support from the Planning Board, Zoning Board, and applicable City departments and agencies, and with input from the community, for the development and improvement of the City.

Independent Audit

Proposal requiring that an independent annual audit of City government accounts and financial records be performed and completed by a qualified certified public accounting firm following the close of each fiscal year, which shall include separate audits of the accounts of the Urban Renewal Agency, the Industrial Development Agency, and the Board of Water Supply.

Quarterly Financial Reports

Proposal requiring the City Comptroller to issue quarterly financial reports to the Mayor and the City Council concerning the City’s year-to-date and projected fiscal condition, as of March thirty-first, June thirtieth, September thirtieth and December thirty-first of each fiscal year, in relation to the annual budget adopted for that fiscal year and to make such reports available for public review.

Periodic Charter Review

Proposal requiring the establishment of a Charter Commission for the purpose of reviewing the City Charter at least every ten years, funded as may be reasonably necessary for such Commission to conduct its business effectively.

Find the charter propositions on the back of the ballot.