City of Melissa Charter Commission

 Notice of Special Election - November 8, 2011

At their meeting held on October 12, 2010, the Melissa City Council approved a resolution declaring the population of the City to have surpassed the 5,000 mark which allows the City to pursue the declaration of Home Rule.

As a result of this declaration on December 14, 2010, the City Council appointed a Charter Commission representing a cross section of the community to collaborate and develop the proposed Home Rule Charter for the City of Melissa to be voted upon by the citizens.

The Charter Commission presented the proposed Charter at the July 12, 2011 City Council Meeting and the City Council approved the charter to go forward to be presented to the voters for election.  Below is the final proposed Charter that will be before on the ballot for the November 8, 2011 Election.

 Melissa Home Rule Charter

 Matrix of Other Home Rule City Charters

As Citizens of Melissa consider the election regarding the Home Rule Charter, questions arise about the meaning of becoming a Home Rule City and some distinctions between General Law and Home Rule. The purpose of this Fact Sheet (below) is to help answer some of the common questions raised by citizens.   

 Home Rule Fact Sheet

 Questions and Answers from September 26, 2011 Town Hall Forum

 Questions and Answers submitted to charterchair@cityofmelissa.com

The City does not encourage you to vote in a particular way, but it does encourage you to cast your vote at the upcoming Home Rule Charter election.