Updated and Corrected City Charter Amendment Timeline

[Colleen Pate]

Colleagues,
As promised at today’s Audit and Finance Committee meeting, here is the schedule and suggested process to review and consider amendments to the City Charter for the November 2026 ballot.

Because of the high amount of public interest, there will be several opportunities for public testimony on proposed amendments during the meetings listed below. We currently have Staff and Charter Review Commission recommended amendments that were previously approved in 2024 by Council. There is also a petition generated proposed amendment.

Following the public hearings and discussions, the Council will vote at the July 30 meeting on which proposed amendments to place on the ballot.
On August 6, Council will vote on an ordinance ordering a special charter election for November.

City Charter Amendments Schedule and Process
July 28 Council Meeting - 10am. On July 28, Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed charter amendments for the November 2026 ballot. The backup for the meeting will include the AFC recommendations for amendments from Staff and CRC, the petitioned amendment proposal, and any new potential amendments.

- Registered speakers will be able to testify on each individual amendment. Speakers will be allowed 2 minutes per amendment, and on any that should be proposed. Standard rules for donation of time will apply. The Clerk’s office will create a means for a person to sign up for each potential amendment.
No action will be taken on that date.

July 30 Council Meeting – 10am
On July 30, Council will take up the AFC recommendations, the petitioned amendment proposal, and any new proposed amendments.

- Registered speakers will be able to testify on each individual amendment. Speakers will be allowed 2 minutes per amendment. Standard rules for donation of time will apply. The Clerk’s office will create a means for a person to sign up for each potential amendment.

August 6 Council Meeting – 10am
The agenda will potentially have 3 items related to the November 2026 election: 1) approve an ordinance ordering the general election; 2) approve an ordinance ordering a special charter amendment election; and 3) approve an ordinance ordering a special bond election, if necessary. The charter amendment ordinance will be prepared based on the vote at the July 30 Council meeting.

- Registered speakers will be provided 2 minutes to testify on the ordinance ordering the special charter election. Standard rules for donation of time will apply.

Looking forward to the hearings and our discussions.

Kirk
On behalf of Mayor Watson