May 24, 2011
The Honorable Ron Littlefield, Mayor
City of Chattanooga
101 East 11th Street
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402
Dear Mayor Littlefield
During our meeting in February you requested information from MTAS about the county
charter form of government. Attached is a report on the county charter form of government
prepared with participation from the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) and the
County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS).
This report outlines the procedures for establishing a county charter (home rule county
charter), how the county charter differs from the general law county form of government and it
presents a review of the most significant provisions of the Knox County, Shelby County, and the
Palm Beach County, Florida County Charters. The county charter provides considerable
flexibility as determined and provided by referendum.
Please let me know if you have questions or comments about the county charter form of
government. Thank you for consulting with MTAS.
Respectfully Yours
Ron Darden
Municipal Management Consultant