In 2024, the City of Brookings began a thorough review of its City Charter to ensure it remained effective, legally sound, and aligned with the values of its residents. Their first city charter, adopted in 2002, was based on the 8th edition of the Model City Charter. To facilitate the latest process, the city hired the National Civic League to work with the council appointed Charter Revision Commission which was comprised of a diverse group of community members.
The review focused on strengthening transparency, clarifying roles, and improving city processes. Key updates to the charter included clearly defining the appointment and supervision responsibilities between the city council and city manager, requiring the city manager to live in Brookings, and improving the city’s financial procedures. The revised charter also emphasized inclusive language, adding “inclusive community participation” as a core principle, and created a formal review process to take place every ten years.
On April 8, 2025, Brookings voters overwhelmingly approved the updated charter, with 72% voting in favor. The collaborative process—shaped by expert facilitation and strong community input—ensured the revised charter reflects the needs and priorities of Brookings while laying a solid foundation for open, accountable, and inclusive local government.
The City Charter serves as a community’s rulebook, outlining how the local government is structured, how officials are elected, how laws are made, and how public funds are managed—essentially acting as the city’s constitution. To help guide cities in modernizing and strengthening these foundational documents, the National Civic League offers expert support, drawing from more than a century of experience and the widely respected Model City Charter.
The League’s newly updated Ninth Edition of the Model City Charter emphasizes equity, public engagement, transparent elections, and strong city management practices. Whether a city is undertaking a comprehensive charter revision or considering targeted updates, the League’s resources and facilitation expertise can help ensure the process is inclusive, legally sound, and reflective of community values. Learn more about the Model City Charter and email us at [email protected] to hear how we can support your city’s charter work.
