The Arroyo Grande City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to place an initiative on the November ballot that will allow voters to make Arroyo Grande a charter city. [Tribune]
Becoming a charter city allow Arroyo Grande officials to draft their own rules on election procedures, contract bidding and purchases of goods, property and services. As a general law city, Arroyo Grande must currently defer to state regulations on such procedures.
In 2012, a charter city measure failed in neighboring Grover Beach by a mere four votes. The initiative faced stiff opposition from unions, particularly over a section that would have exempted the city from paying prevailing wage on construction projects funded by local revenue streams.
A similar provision exists in the draft Arroyo Grande charter. Unions are expected to oppose Arroyo Grande’s initiative as well.
