Assembly of Delegates Shares the Facts on Ballot Question 6 | October 10, 2024 (Barnstable, MA)
Ballot Question 6 – The Facts
A ‘yes’ vote on Question 6 will ensure that your representative in County government—your Assembly Delegate—has a say in how your tax dollars are spent.
Ballot Question 6 simply clarifies Charter language to avoid ongoing and costly legal actions—nothing more.
The Assembly Delegates must call out misinformation when we see it. The Barnstable County Commissioners issued a press release that presents unsubstantiated opinion as fact.
County Commissioners’ Claims and The Facts:
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ CLAIM:
“The Ballot Question By-Passed County Charter Review Procedures. The Commissioners pointed out that the charter review process should be an open and transparent process outlined in the Charter…The Assembly bypassed this long-established process.”
The Facts:
This is false. The Assembly is not bypassing process. Section 9-1 provides for a ballot question for purposes of amending Charter language. Question 6 simply clarifies ambiguous language in the County Charter Section 5, which has caused Commissioners to seek frequent, expensive legal opinions to support their actions.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ CLAIM:
“The Ballot Question Provides the Voter with Insufficient Information.”
The Facts:
This is false. Cape Cod’s town managers have been provided with language and details on Ballot Question 6 and its implications. The Assembly and proponents of Question 6 have made presentations at numerous Selectboard meetings across Cape Cod, posted information online, and published letters to the editor.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ CLAIM:
“The Commissioners agreed that this measure is an attempt to substantially expand the Assembly’s power to spend more money by exempting the body from the provisions of MGL Ch 35 s.28B – the state law that establishes the budgetary and appropriating for counties. The proposal is also inconsistent with our Charter.”
The Facts:
This is false. The Assembly seeks only to perform its duties under the County Charter. The County budget is governed by the Home Rule Charter, not by MGL Ch 35 s.28B. The County Charter clearly states: “Legislative powers of the Cape Cod regional government shall be exercised by an assembly of delegates consisting of fifteen members.” Attorneys hired by the Commissioners have never found Question 6 to be inconsistent with the Charter. The language of Question 6 was approved by Barnstable County Counsel and the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ CLAIM:
“There Is More to This Than Meets the Eye…The changes impact the division of powers between the executive and legislative branches of County government in potentially dangerous ways.”
The Facts:
This is false. The Assembly already has the powers that Question 6 seeks to clarify and sees the referendum as a preferred alternative to taking the County Commissioners to court.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ CLAIM:
“The Commissioners assert that the Assembly’s proposal would allow any delegate to propose more spending at any time.”
The Facts:
This is false. Adopting Question 6 would not remove any checks and balances in County government. Any supplemental funding request would be scrutinized by both branches of government. The Barnstable County Charter already allows any elected official to put forward ordinances.
Statements from Assembly Delegates
Assembly Deputy Speaker Randi Potash stated, “We proposed these changes over a year ago and presented them to the Commissioners who chose to ignore the topic.”
Dan Gessen, Falmouth Delegate, added, “The Barnstable County Commissioners assert that Ballot Question 6 would lead to chaos in the county. In reality, it would create a more stable environment. They appear worried about losing the self-determined unilateral authority over County finances they asserted over the last two years. A ‘yes’ vote on Question 6 ensures that your representative in County government has a say in how your tax dollars are spent.”
About the Assembly of Delegates
The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates is the legislative branch of County Government. As the County’s law-making body, the Assembly’s work takes the form of ordinances and resolutions, which may be initiated by Delegates, Assembly committees, the Board of Regional Commissioners, or by an initiative petition. The Assembly of Delegates also appropriates the County’s annual operating and capital budgets as well as supplemental requests.
About Barnstable County Regional Government of Cape Cod
Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Owen Fletcher, Assembly Clerk
owen.fletcher@capecod.gov
