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SB 2702

Charlotte - Subject to local approval, revises various provisions of the charter of the City of Charlotte relating to its corporate powers; the city council; the city clerk; codification of ordinances; duties of mayor; city court, judge, and court clerk; and budgeting, centralized purchasing, and taxes. - Amends Chapter 154 of the Private Acts of 1955; as amended.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Kerry Roberts

Charlotte’s local council must approve the charter revisions by two-thirds for the bill to take effect, updating governance, budgeting, purchasing, and city operations.

Companion House Bill substituted
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Bill Summary · SB 2702

Summary of Bill: SB 2702 ( Charlotte – Local Approval Required )

Jurisdiction: Tennessee | Session: 114 | Title: Charlotte – revises various provisions of the city charter relating to corporate powers, city government structure, budgeting, purchasing, and taxes

Note: Companion House Bill 2638 accompanies this measure. Requires local approval by Charlotte’s legislative body (two-thirds vote).

1) Purpose and Intent

  • The bill amends Chapter 154 of the Private Acts of 1955 (as amended) governing the City of Charlotte, Tennessee.
  • It reorganizes and updates several core municipal authorities and procedures, including governance powers, budgeting, procurement, and official recordkeeping.
  • A central feature is the requirement that Charlotte’s local body (the City Council) approve the act by a two-thirds vote for it to take effect.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Definitions and Tax Authority

  • Elector definition revised to include residents or nonresident property owners with ownership evidence, excluding certain cemetery plots.
  • Section 1.05(a) clarifies that property taxes are levied for general purposes (excluding debt service).
  • Several sections previously addressing broader fiscal or property powers are deleted or replaced, signaling a narrowing or modernization of authority in specific areas.

B. General Corporate Powers and Taxing/Financing Authority

  • The city’s ability to appropriate and borrow money to pay debts remains (Section 1.05(d)).
  • Authority to acquire, dispose of, hold property (inside or outside the city) and manage public land and easements is retained (Section 1.05(e)).
  • Several previously enumerated powers (Sections 1.05(c), 1.05(f), 1.05(p), 1.05(q), 1.05(w)) are deleted or replaced, indicating targeted adjustments to the city’s expansive list of powers.

C. City Governance Structure and Meetings

  • City Council: Maintains seven-member structure (Mayor + six Council members). Public monthly meetings and special sessions protections remain, including public notice requirements and quorum rules (Section 2.03).
  • City Clerk: Mayor appoints a City Clerk responsible for maintaining city records, minutes, financial statements, citations, and related duties (Section 2.08).

D. Codification and Records

  • Codification of ordinances: The city may prepare and adopt a codified Official Code of Charlotte, consolidating ordinances and resolutions after the Act’s effectiveness. The code can be distributed with a mechanism for updates and periodic revisions (Section 2.11).

E. Administrative and Administrative Duty Allocation

  • Mayor as executive head with authority to appoint and manage city officers and employees; budget submission to Council required; Mayor may serve as purchasing agent if no designated purchasing agent is named (Section 3.02 and 3.04).

F. City Court System

  • Establishment of a city court presided over by a city judge, with prosecuting authority typically the city attorney or assistant (Section 3.04).
  • City Judge: Council may appoint and set salary for two-year terms; procedures for recusals and vacancies; acting city judge may be appointed by the Mayor (Section 3.05).

G. Budgeting and Centralized Purchasing

  • Mayor must submit an annual budget by a date set by the Council (no later than 45 days prior to the new fiscal year), including detailed financial statements and programmatic information (Section 4.02).
  • Centralized Purchasing: All contracts and purchases (with some exceptions) must go through the city purchasing agent (the Mayor or designee). Bidding is required unless exempted (Section 4.06).

H. Audits

  • Council may appoint a certified public accountant to perform an annual city audit, with a published summary (Section 4.08).

I. Effective Date and Local Approval

  • The act only takes effect if approved by a two-thirds vote of Charlotte’s legislative body; subsequent effective date specified per Section 21.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • City of Charlotte government and its elected leadership (Mayor, City Council)
  • City Clerk and City Judge, along with the City Court and City Court Clerk
  • City purchasing processes, central procurement, and budgeting practices
  • Codification of ordinances into an Official Code of Charlotte
  • City finances, including tax assessment practices and debt management
  • External stakeholders: residents, property owners, and businesses within Charlotte via updated governance, budgeting, and procurement rules

4) Procedural/Timeline Aspects

  • Local approval required: two-thirds vote by Charlotte’s legislative body; if approved, the act becomes law and is proclaimed by the presiding officer, then certified to the Secretary of State.
  • Effective date contingent on local approval (Section 20) and then operative as provided in Section 21.

Overall, SB 2702 updates Charlotte’s charter provisions to modernize governance, budgeting, purchasing, and judicial administration while ensuring local legislative consent before taking effect.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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