Voters in the City of Orange will decide this November whether the city will adopt a charter, a move proponents suggest could enhance local control over planning and boost city revenue.
This ballot initiative follows another measure for Orange residents this November, where council members have asked voters to consider a 1% increase in the local sales tax. That proposal aims to address a structural budget deficit that has necessitated various spending cuts.
Councilmember Kathy Tavoularis, who spearheaded the charter measure, indicated that switching to a charter city could help reduce the budget deficit. Tavoularis described being told of a "cold slap in the face" regarding the city's $30 million debt early in council members' terms, adding that "we have to change in the city."
A city charter functions as a local constitution, granting the city more power regarding housing, elections, and zoning. If adopted, Orange would become one of 121 charter cities in California. Currently, Orange operates as a general-law city, adhering to state-mandated laws, including requirements for council members.
The council voted 4-3 on July 14 to place the measure on the ballot, following months of debate. Council members Ana Gutierrez, John Gyllenhammer, and Arianna Barrios voted against the proposal. These three council members expressed concerns about the thoroughness of the proposed charter, suggesting it might lead to a "perpetual fixing or adding or adjusting mode," incurring additional time and election costs. Tavoularis refuted this, noting that other cities' charters became robust due to constant adjustments as problems arose.
Residents also voiced opinions both for and against the charter. Mary Oberschlake raised concerns about potential local government overreach, stating the implications, particularly with certain officials elected, were "very frightening." In contrast, resident Betty Talbert supported the charter, asserting that Orange residents are better equipped to determine their needs than broader state politicians, and local control would better serve the city.
Prior to the final vote, council members clarified wording on specific sections, including a debate on term limits for council members. Council members Gutierrez and Barrios supported two four-year terms, while Tavoularis and Jon Dumitru favored the original proposal of three. Mayor Dan Slater moved to change the term limit to two but then accidentally voted yes for Tavoularis’s substitute motion, which supported three four-year terms. This resulted in a 4-3 vote passing the three-term limit despite the error.
Orange is among several Orange County cities that have increasingly considered charters to gain more local control and move away from state housing mandates. Fountain Valley and Fullerton have previously considered charters, though their plans have stalled or been dropped. Huntington Beach has prominently used its charter status in unsuccessful court battles against statewide housing mandates, which require cities to zone for specific amounts of housing. Despite arguments that its charter nullifies these mandates, those claims have been repeatedly struck down in court. Huntington Beach officials recently submitted a housing plan aligned with state requirements to avoid escalating fees, which could reach $900,000 monthly.
