Resolution No. 6 for 2025 - Charter Amendment Referral for Direct Election of the Mayor

A RESOLUTION OF THE SWEET HOME CITY COUNCIL TO REFER AMENDMENT OF CITY CHARTER CHAPTER II, SECTION 3 COUNCIL AND MAYOR, TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY AND ADOPTING A BALLOT TITLE AND EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

WHEREAS, only the voters of the City of Sweet Home can approve amendments to the Charter of the City of Sweet Home; and

WHEREAS, members of the community have shown interest in amending the Charter such that the position of Mayor is directly elected by the Electors of the City of Sweet Home; and

WHEREAS, the Sweet Home City Council has discussed and heard from citizens about the benefits and detriments of both the current method of selecting the Mayor and other methods;

NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council resolves as follows:

Section 1.     Proposed Charter Amendment. If a majority of eligible voters vote “yes” on the following measure, Chapter II, Form of Government, Section 3 of the Charter of the City of Sweet Home will be amended as follows, with strikethrough text deleted, and bold text added:

Section 3 Council And Mayor

Except as otherwise provided in this charter, all powers of the city shall be vested in a council of seven members nominated and elected from the city at large.

At each biennial general election, four three councilors and a mayor shall be elected. The three receiving the highest number of votes councilors shall each hold office for four years, and the one receiving the number of votes next to the three highest mayor shall hold office for two years. Tie votes shall be determined by lot.

At its first meeting of the new term after each biennial general election, the council shall elect from its membership a chairperson who shall be mayor for a term of two years.

The mayor and councilors in office at the time of adoption of this charter shall continue in office until the expiration of their respective terms, with powers and duties as provided in this charter.

Section 2.     Referral. The ballot title attached as Attachment A and the above text shall be filed with the City Elections Officer and referred to the legal voters of the City of Sweet Home, Linn County, Oregon at an election on May 20, 2025.

Section 3.     Election. May 20, 2025 is designated as the date for holding the election for the purpose of voting on this measure. The precinct for the election shall be all of the territory within the corporate limits of the City of Sweet Home, and the election shall be conducted by the Linn County Clerk’s Office by mail.

Section 4.     Publication. The City Elections Officer is directed to publish notice of receipt of the ballot title under standard procedures and in compliance with ORS 250.275(5).

Section 5.     Filing with County. The City Elections Officer shall file the ballot title with the Linn County Clerk as required by ORS 254.095 and include the proposed measure in the statement of city measures to be voted on.

Section 6.     Explanatory Statement. The Explanatory Statement for the measure on Attachment B shall be submitted for inclusion in the voters’ pamphlet as provided in ORS 251.345.

Section 7.     No Position. The City Council takes no position in favor of, nor opposing this proposed measure.

Section 8.     Effective Date. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage.

PASSED by the Council and approved by the Mayor, this 25^th day of February, 2025.