Our Opinion: Be careful with review of City charter

News Tribune editorial

"Let's be careful out there."

-- Michael Conrad as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus in "Hill Street Blues"

Careful consideration must remain at the forefront of any initiative to review Jefferson City's charter.

City officials have begun discussing whether a formal review of the charter is necessary or desirable. No formal review has been done in the nearly 30 years since the charter was adopted by city voters in 1986.

The Missouri Municipal League recommends a charter review every five to 10 years.

A charter is a municipal framework for governing, not unlike the U.S. and Missouri constitutions. Jefferson City's charter was crafted by a 13-member commission and approved by voters. Since its adoption, it has been amended 15 times.

A formal review evokes a spectrum of opinions, with the views of two original charter commissioners representing polar opposites.

Clyde Lear, former chairman of the 1986 panel, said: "The charter ought to be an evergreen document. It ought to be changed frequently."

Carolyn McDowell, commission secretary, said: "Why are we trying to fix something good? The City Council and mayors have already over-reviewed it."

We're somewhere in the middle, but nearer to McDowell's position.

We don't believe a charter is carved in stone, but officials have been known to confuse maintaining a framework with enacting laws or regulations. State government is a key offender, elevating countless initiatives to constitutional rights or prohibitions.

Our primary fear connected with a formal review process is the temptation to change something.

City Attorney Drew Hilpert made the point when he described the charter as a "living document," but added: "That said, one would hope the people involved in such a process would make a thoughtful review and not look to change for the sake of change."

We have no quarrel with Mayor Carrie Tergin's belief that council members and staff - and residents, we might add - benefit by familiarizing themselves with the charter.

When it comes to reviewing the charter with an eye toward changing it, however, let's be extremely careful.