Incorporation
Maplewood Municipal Incorporation: Should the Process Begin?
A committee of the Maplewood Citizens Association has completed its examination of the pros and cons of municipal incorporation and will present its findings to the upcoming general meeting on January 19th.
In its final seven-page report, the committee report does not make a specific recommendation concerning incorporation. It does, however, conclude in this way: “There are many important benefits to becoming an incorporated municipality. Probably the most important is greater local control over taxes, services, and governance. With this increased power comes increased responsibilities—both for the (volunteer) elected officials and the residents.”
“Each of the mayors (of local municipalities consulted) indicated that they—and most of their citizens—would vote to incorporate again. They believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. But because the process to incorporate is so long and complicated, both community leaders and citizens alike must be convinced that the end is worth the means.”
Copies of the committee’s report will be available at the January 19th meeting, and also on line from that date at: www.maplewoodcitizens.org
At the meeting, MCA members will be asked to examine the report, offer their views on the issue, and then come to the March meeting prepared to vote on whether to initiate a municipal incorporation process. This would entail a petition of Maplewood residents. Any incorporation petition must be signed by 20% of the residents and the owners of at least 25% of the assessed valuation of real property in the area concerned, OR 25% of registered voters.
Eventually, a referendum would be held on incorporation: in order to pass, 50% plus one vote of all registered voters within the proposed area would have to approve. While there are proponents and opponents of incorporation within the community, the onus would seem to be on those who wish to incorporate to muster support for the idea.
