NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: November 20, 2002
Contact: Gary Chandler
Phone: 303.571.4343
Fax: 303.571.4404
Email: gchandler@ncl.org

NCL Board of Directors Approves
8th Edition of Model City Charter

DENVER - November 20, 2002 - The National Civic League's Board of Directors unanimously approved the 8th Edition of the Model City Charter for publication at the 108th National Conference on Governance in Washington, D.C. this past week. The 8th edition will be available to the public in January of 2003.

Since 1915, the Model has endorsed the council-manager form of government and recognized the value of an independent city executive running the day-to-day operations of the city. Over 89 million Americans live in communities operating under council-manager government.

In recognition of the growing complexity of issues facing local governments, the 8th edition of the Model directly addresses the modern realities that local governments face such as: regional cooperation; citizen participation; strong professional and political leadership; campaign finance; performance and outcome oriented delivery of service; and means to increase voter turnout.

The model charter is a tool for all those engaged in efforts to improve the structure and procedures of local government and thus to increase its effectiveness. Each successive edition has been the work of a committee of distinguished individuals with wide knowledge and experience in municipal government. The following organizations played an essential role in revisions for the 8th edition:

  • American Bar Association
  • American Society for Public Administration
  • Association of State Municipal Leagues
  • International City/County Management Association
  • International Municipal Lawyers Association
  • League of Women Voters
  • National Academy of Public Administration
  • National Association of Counties
  • National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
  • National Civic League
  • National League of Cities

Additional information on the Model City Charter Revision Project can be found on the National Civic League's web site at http://www.ncl.org/npp/charter/index.html.

The National Civic League is a 108-year-old non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to strengthening citizen democracy by transforming democratic institutions. NCL accomplishes its mission through technical assistance, training, publishing, research, and the All-America City Award. The National Civic League is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, call 303-571-4343 or visit www.ncl.org.

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