Advisory Opinions and Final Orders

Advisory Opinions

Upon written request of any public official or city employee, or without such request should a majority of the Board deem it in public interest, the Charter Board may render advisory opinions, concerning matters of home rule or enforcement of the City Charter. All advisory opinions shall be issued in writing. The Board may in its discretion publish its advisory opinions with any redactions necessary to prevent disclosure of the identity of the person who is the subject of the opinion.

An advisory opinion may be used as a defense in any subsequent investigation or prosecution, provided that the official or employee who sought the opinion did so in good faith and only to the extent material facts were not misrepresented in the request for the opinion.

Advisory opinions shall be issued as expeditiously as possible, and in no case later than 30 days following the receipt of the written request.

Final Orders

The Charter Board shall issue its final orders in accordance with the timelines established in Amendment I and the Charter Board ordinance. Final orders may not be made public until subjects to a complaint have exhausted their rights to appeal.