The group had been deadlocked on whether or not to recommend a charter.
Arguments or and against centered around the concept of home rule. Opponents to a possible charter said that the city would lose transparency, and open itself to the type of corruption that was seen in Bell. Proponents highlighted that home rule would allow the city more flexibility in how to operate and save money.
One of the issues that caused a sticking point was whether or not to include language about the prevailing wage laws, which were seen by some as being anti-business and anti-worker.
Should the city’s residents decide to move forward despite the vote by the city council, they can propose a charter by initiative, needing 15 percent of the population to sign the petition.
From the Record Searchlight:
If Redding voters ever decide on a local government charter, it won’t be one that current elected leaders shaped.
The City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday evening to abandon the charter adoption process after a committee tasked with weighing the pros and cons of adopting “home rule” deadlocked on a recommendation.
Mayor Missy McArthur, Vice Mayor Dick Dickerson and councilwoman Francie Sullivan voted to halt the process.
Read the full article here.