What does Home Rule Charter add to our government other than another position?

Answer: The main benefit of a home rule charter government compared to our current police jury system is that it adds a system of checks and balances, which ensures more accountability in how decisions are made and carried out.
Under the police jury system, the jury members act both as lawmakers and administrators. This means the same people who make the rules also handle the day-to-day operations. With a home rule charter, we separate those roles to make government work more efficiently and transparently. For example, the police jury would be replaced by a council that focuses on making policies, while a parish president would handle the daily operations of the parish government.
Think of the parish president’s role like a mayor, but for the whole parish instead of just one town. Just as mayors are elected to lead and manage their cities full-time, the parish president would be a full-time elected official dedicated to overseeing the parish’s operations. This is a significant improvement because it ensures we have someone solely focused on running the government efficiently and responding to residents’ needs every day.
This structure means better management and quicker responses to problems because the parish president is directly responsible for delivering results. It also makes it easier for citizens to hold someone accountable when issues arise, creating a stronger connection between the government and the people it serves.
Other changes include:
Increased Local Control

• A home rule charter allows the parish to govern itself more independently, rather than being bound strictly by state laws that apply to all police jury systems. This means the parish can create rules and policies tailored to our specific needs, like addressing local infrastructure, economic development, or public safety challenges.
  Streamlined Government Operations
• A home rule charter creates a clear organizational structure with defined roles and responsibilities. This can reduce duplication of efforts, make decision-making faster, and ensure resources are used more effectively.
  Professional Leadership
• Having a parish president means a full-time, professional approach to managing parish operations, from maintaining roads to ensuring public safety. This is particularly beneficial when addressing complex issues, like grant management or disaster response, that require consistent attention.
  Checks and Balances
• The division of powers between the council (legislative) and parish president (executive) ensures no single person or group has unchecked authority. This balance fosters transparency, limits potential misuse of power, and encourages collaboration.
  Potential for Economic Growth
• A well-structured home rule charter can make the parish more attractive to businesses and investors. With a clear governance structure and efficient decision-making, companies may see the parish as a more stable and supportive place to operate.
  Improved Budgeting and Financial Oversight
• A parish president and council structure often includes specific requirements for budgeting and audits, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and that financial accountability is built into the system.
  Flexibility for Innovation
• The home rule charter can include provisions for modernizing government processes, like adopting new technologies for public services or creating innovative programs to address local issues. For example, the charter could allow for online payment systems for permits or taxes.
  Practical Example to Share:
  Under the current police jury system, each juror often handles issues in their own district, which can create uneven services or duplication. With a parish president, there’s a single person ensuring all districts get fair attention and resources, while the council focuses on setting priorities for the whole parish.
  By emphasizing these points, we can see how a home rule charter isn’t just about changing the structure but about making the government more responsive, efficient, and effective for everyone in the parish.

Dr. Jay Callegari