B. Concerning Initiatives and Referendums
The San Juan County Charter Sections 6.21, 6.22, and 6.41 shall be amended to read as follows:
We materially, have no issue with this amendment recommendation other than it will be tricky if an initiative or referendum is approved by the voters but cannot be funded. This proposition will remove current language in the SJC charter Section 6.21 (2) that reads as follows:
“No initiative proposal requiring the expenditure of additional funds for an existing activity or of any funds for a new activity or purpose shall be filed unless provisions are specifically made therein for new or additional sources of revenue which may thereby be required.”
In our view removing the limitation will burden the county council and the different department heads affected, with trying to allocate funds that the county doesn’t have except by cutting funding for programs potentially including criminal justice, social programs, and physical and mental health programs.
For the reasons given we oppose this amendment.
Signed _____Bill Appel_______________________Date__7/16/21_______