Study Session Item
TO: Mayor Collins and Town Council Members
FROM: Kevin Burke, Town Manager
Duncan Miller, Town Clerk
DATE: November 19, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Town Manager
Staff Contact
Duncan Miller 480-348-3610
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AGENDA TITLE:
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Discussion of Amendments to Election Code and Fee Schedule
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PURPOSE AND GOAL
The purpose of this study session item is to brief the Town Council on amendments to the Town Code and Fee Schedule. Ordinance Number 692 amends the election chapter of the Town Code to bring it into compliance with recent changes in state law. There is no policy question to be decided as the amendments either conform to state statute or they are based on factors outside the Town's control. Resolution Number 1337 adds a Residential Parking Permit fee and increases the Vehicle Towing Administrative Hearing fee.
Town Council Rules and Procedures require that all ordinances must be heard in Study Session at least one meeting prior to vote. Although resolutions are not required to be heard in Study Sessions, the Council recently adopted the Residential Parking Permit as a trial program. The ordinance requires that the Town Manager bring back the permit fee for Council approval.
ELECTION CODE AMENDMENTS
Proposed Ordinance Number 692 includes amendments required by state law and general clean-up and clarifying text.
State Election Law Changes
In 2013, the Arizona Legislature adopted the "Consolidated Elections Law" mandating that all local elections for mayor and council must be held in the fall of even numbered years. This law necessitated changes in other election laws and procedures. In 2014, the Legislature passed a session law governing the formula to be used in determining whether a local candidate was elected at the Primary Election and/or whether there would be a run-off election.
In order to be elected at the Primary Election, candidates must receive a majority of the total votes cast....
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