What Placer's Charter Review means for Lincoln, District 2 residents

As one of the fastest-growing and most civically engaged communities in Placer County, Lincoln plays a vital role in shaping the region's future. With deep roots in agriculture, strong family values and a growing population of residents invested in local decision-making, Lincoln continues to set the standard for community engagement. As the Charter Review Committee begins its work, ensuring District 2 voices from Twelve Bridges to downtown Lincoln to rural outskirts are heard and reflected in the county's foundational document is not just important, it's essential. I am honored to have been selected by my fellow committee members to serve as chair of the Placer County Charter Review Committee. It is a privilege to guide this important process with a team of dedicated community members committed to public service and responsive local government. As someone who has served on the Lincoln City Planning Commission and for seven years as the District 2 representative on the Placer County Planning Commission, I am deeply committed to ensuring that the voices of our community are heard in shaping how our county operates. What is a county charter, and how many counties in California have one? The Charter Review Committee is the group tasked with receiving community input, analyzing the charter and proposing edits on the existing charter. Of California's 58 counties, only 15 are governed by a local charter. These charter counties have more authority to design their own governance structures, compared to general law counties that must strictly follow frameworks set by the state. A county charter is essentially a local constitution. It outlines how county government functions within the bounds of state law. Because Placer County is one of these 15 charter counties, we have more flexibility to define our structure, set local rules and implement systems that work best for our region. What topics are covered in the Placer County Charter? The California Constitution, Article XI, Section 4, outlines the general scope of county charters. First approved by voters in 1980, the Placer County Charter lays out the roles and responsibilities of our local government. It includes topics such as: duties and compensation of elected and appointed officials, tenure and vacancies of elected and appointed officials, fiscal and budgetary practices, and county purchasing and contracting policies. Each of these topics plays a key role in how decisions are made, how resources are managed, and how the public is represented. What does the Charter Review Committee do? The Charter Review Committee meets every five years to study the charter and recommend changes that reflect the current needs of the county. We examine questions like: Are policies in the charter aligned with current realities and expectations? Do recent laws or court rulings make any part of the charter outdated? Could updates strengthen transparency, ethics or efficiency? The committee is advisory. We do not make changes ourselves. Instead, we offer well-researched and community-informed recommendations to the Placer County Board of Supervisors. If the board agrees with our proposals, they may choose to place them on the ballot for voter approval. How can District 2 residents get involved? As a longtime resident of Lincoln and a strong advocate for the West Placer region, I want to make sure District 2 residents have every opportunity to share their insights and concerns. To gather community feedback, the Charter Review Committee will hold three public meetings throughout the county: one in West Placer, one in Middle Placer and one in East Placer. Each meeting will be held in person, with a virtual option available for those who prefer or need to participate from home. These forums are designed to listen to the public, provide information, and gather meaningful input on potential charter updates. After these regional meetings, we will hold a final countywide meeting to present our proposed recommendations to the community before forwarding them to the Board of Supervisors. What should we be thinking about? As we prepare for these public discussions, I invite residents to consider the following questions: Does our current charter support accountability and good governance? Are fiscal and administrative practices strong enough to meet today's challenges? Is the structure of county leadership working as intended? Are ethics and transparency clearly defined and enforced? Why this matters The county charter may not often make front-page news, but it is one of the most important documents that shape how local government operates. A strong and relevant charter ensures our public institutions reflect the values and priorities of our community. When we take the time to review and update this document with care, we strengthen the foundation of our democracy. As chair of the Charter Review Committee, I am committed to making this process inclusive, informative and impactful. I encourage every resident of Lincoln and District 2 to participate in the upcoming meetings and help shape the future of Placer County. Let's ensure our charter reflects not only who we are but also who we aspire to become. Dr. Nathan Herzog is chair of the Placer County Charter Review Committee, a Lincoln City Planning Commissioner and former District 2 Placer County Planning Commissioner.