This study focuses on the Syracuse City Charter and the Onondaga County Charter.  OCL recommends changes for both charters and also suggests parts of the charters that should remain the same.  The report stated the following findings before outlining the recommendations:

1. A better charter is a tool for a better government.
2. When the language of a charter is archaic, and when a charter is written in minute detail, citizen participation interest and participation in government is discouraged.
3. The charter for a local government must accurately reflect the local conditions.
4. There are alternative approaches to revising a city charter.  Direct initiatives by voters and legislators are ways to do this.  It is much more difficult to revise a county charter.