2.85.060 Initiative and referendum.
A. Power Reserved – Time of Election. There is reserved to the qualified electors of the city the power of the initiative and the referendum as prescribed by the State Constitution. Any initiative or referendum matter may be voted on at the next ensuing primary or general election, or at a special election called by the council.
B. Number of Signatures. The total number of registered voters qualified to vote at the last municipal election, whether regular or special, immediately preceding the date upon which any initiative petition is filed shall be the basis upon which the number of qualified electors of the city required to file an initiative petition shall be computed.
1. The basis upon which the number of qualified electors of the city required to file a referendum petition shall be as determined by state law.
C. Time of Filing.
1. Initiative petitions shall be filed at least 120 days prior to the election at which they are to be voted upon.
2. Referendum petitions shall be filed within 30 days of the adoption of the ordinance, resolution or other legislative action to be referred. If the city clerk is unable to provide petitioners with a copy of the ordinance, resolution or motion at the time of application for an official number or on the same business day of the application, the 30-day period shall be calculated from the date such ordinance, resolution or motion is available.
D. Sample Ballots and Publicity Pamphlets. The following procedures relating to sample ballots and publicity pamphlets are hereby adopted for conducting elections at which an initiative or referendum is to be voted upon:
1. A publicity pamphlet, containing the entire text of the official ballot, shall be mailed by the city clerk to each household within the city in which a registered voter resides, not less than 10 days prior to the election to which the sample ballot pertains.
2. The pamphlet shall contain the proposition as it will appear on the ballot together with a summary of each proposition. Each summary shall be followed by any arguments supporting the proposition followed by any arguments opposing the proposition.
3. Arguments supporting and opposing propositions appearing on the ballot shall be filed with the office of the city clerk by 5:00 p.m. not less than 90 days prior to the election at which the propositions are to be voted upon. Arguments supporting or opposing propositions appearing on the ballot shall meet the following requirements:
a. Arguments must relate to the propositions proposed by initiative or referred by referendum which will appear on the ballot.
b. Arguments must identify the proposition to which they refer and indicate whether the argument is in support of or opposition to the proposition.
c. Arguments may not exceed 300 words in length.
d. Arguments must be signed by the person submitting them. Arguments sponsored by an organization shall be signed on behalf of the organization by two executive officers of the organization authorized to take such action. All persons signing documents shall indicate their residence or post office address and give a telephone number.
e. No person or organization shall submit more than one argument for each proposition to be voted upon.
f. Each argument shall be accompanied by a deposit in the amount of $250.00 to offset a portion of the proportionate costs of the paper and printing of the argument. This requirement shall not be waived on any account. [Code 2006 § 2-3-6. Ord. 2011-05 § 1, 4-12-2011; Res. 2011-09 Exh. A, 4-12-2011].