Understanding Charter Cities and Local Government

Exploring the Differences and Implications of Charter Cities in Santa Clarita Valley's Local Government

If you've ever been confused about the difference between a charter city and a non-charter city, you're not alone. In California, there are over 120 charter cities and 350 non-charter cities. But what exactly is a charter city, and how does it differ from a non-charter city?

A charter city is a city that operates under a charter, which is essentially a constitution that outlines the organization, powers, and functions of the city government. A charter city has more autonomy and flexibility than a non-charter city because it can determine its own system of governance and exercise certain powers that are not available to non-charter cities.

One key difference between charter cities and non-charter cities is governance structure. Charter cities can adopt their own governance structures, such as a strong mayor system or a council-manager system, while non-charter cities must follow a predetermined structure established by the state government.

Here in Santa Clarita Valley, the city of Santa Clarita is a charter city. This means that the city has more flexibility in terms of governance and regulation than non-charter cities in the area. However, despite having a "mayor" position, the real unelected mayor of the city is the City Manager, Ken Striplin. This is because the mayor position in Santa Clarita is largely ceremonial and in name only. The person serving as the mayor doesn't have any more power than they did prior, as they are still just one vote on the city council.

The rotating mayor position in Santa Clarita means that whoever is currently serving as mayor gets to cut ribbons with big scissors and other ceremonial duties. However, the governing powers of the city council only come into effect when they come together to form a consensus, similar to the Voltron robot.

Despite the fact that the mayor of Santa Clarita doesn't have much real power, they often receive criticism from residents who are dissatisfied with the city's response to certain issues. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, some residents were unhappy with the lockdowns and masking orders, but the city had limited authority as it was still under the direction of the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. Meanwhile, others were upset over the deployment of the National Guard during George Floyd protests, and were disappointed that their various demands were not met by the city. These issues sparked a lot of criticism towards then Mayor Cameron Smyth, who had no real power to change the situation.

However, the only way for Santa Clarita to have an elected mayor with more power would be to change the city's charter. This is because the charter defines the city's governance structure and the powers of the elected officials.

In conclusion, understanding local government and charter cities can be complex and confusing, especially when it comes to the roles of different officials and governing bodies. The city of Santa Clarita is a charter city, and the rotating mayor position is largely ceremonial in nature. By understanding the nuances of local government, residents can better navigate the political landscape and hold their elected officials accountable.