HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-01 ORDINANCE NO.• — -�7-()
AN ORDINANCE REFERRING TO VOTERS OF BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS THE
QUESTION OF WHETHER TO CHANGE THE TERMS OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM TWO YEARS TO FOUR YEARS BY ELECTING EVERY TWO YEARS ONE
ALDERMAN FROM EACH WARD TO A FOUR-YEAR TERM THUS RESULTING IN
STAGGERED TERMS PURSUANT TO ARKANSAS CODE ANNOTATED §14-43-
312; TO SET A DATE FOR SUCH ELECTION; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, the City of Batesville, Arkansas, a city of the first class having fewer
than fifty thousand inhabitants, currently has eight city council members which represent
four wards within the city; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that the best interest of the city will be served
by changing the terms of office for city council members from two-year terms to staggered
four-year terms to provide better continuity and stability in city government; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to refer to the voters of Batesville, Arkansas the
opportunity to change the terms of office for city council as allowed by Arkansas Law.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1: The Batesville City Council hereby refers to the voters of Batesville,
Arkansas the question of electing city council members to staggered four year terms,
pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated §14-43-312;
Section 2: Said question shall be presented to the voters of Batesville, Arkansas,
on the ballot of the next general election, which is scheduled to be held on November 6,
2018.
Section 3: That the question of electing one alderman from each ward to four year
terms shall be placed on the ballot for the election in substantially the following manner:
Vote on measure by placing an "X" in the square opposite the measure either for or
against:
FOR adoption to elect one city council member from each ward in the
City of Batesville, Arkansas, to four-year terms, with council members
representing position one from each ward to be elected to four-
year terms at the next general election (November 2020), with each council
members holding position two to be elected to a two-year term at the
next general election (November 2020), and thereafter elected to four-year terms,
resulting in staggered terms with one alderman being elected
to a four-year term from each ward in the City of Batesville,
Arkansas, every two years.............................................................❑
AGAINST adoption to elect one council member from each ward in the
City of Batesville, Arkansas, to four-year terms, with council members
representing position one from each ward to be elected to four-
year terms at the next general election (November 2020), with each council member
holding position two to be elected to a two-year term at the
next general election (November 2020), and thereafter elected to four-year terms,
resulting in staggered terms with one council member being elected
to a four-year term from each ward in the City of Batesville,
Arkansas, every two years............................................................❑
Section 4: That the election shall be held and conducted and the vote canvassed
and the results declared under the law and in the manner now provided for municipal
elections and only qualified voters of the City of Batesville, Arkansas, shall have the right to
vote at the election.
Section 5: That the results of the election shall be proclaimed by the Mayor, and his
proclamation shall be published one time in a newspaper published in the City of Batesville,
Arkansas, and having a general circulation therein, which proclamation shall advise that the
results as proclaimed shall be conclusive unless attacked in the courts as provided by law.
Section 6: That a copy of this ordinance shall be given to the Independence County
Board of Election Commissioners in a timely manner for inclusion and coordination with the
2018 General Election.
Section 7: That the Mayor and City Clerk, for and on behalf of the city, be and are
hereby authorized and directed to do any and all things necessary to call and hold the
special election as herein provided.
Section 8: That all ordinances and parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 9: If any portion or portions of this ordinance are deemed or held to be
invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Section 10: EMERGENCY CLAUSE: It is further found that, due to the public's
need for stability in its local government and because there is a limited amount of time to
get this referendum certified by the necessary authorities prior to this November's general
election, an emergency is declared to exist and this ordinance, being necessary for the
preservation of the public peace, health and safety shall take effect from and after its
passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED thi&`qday of�' 2018.
ATTEST:
Rick El augh
vL4-)
Denise Johnston
CITY CLERK