Title
Resolution to Order Election and to Determine Ballot Question for Charter Amendment to Modify the Terms of Office (7 Votes Required, Roll Call Vote)
Staff
Prepared by: Matthew Thomas, Assistant City Attorney
Body
Whereas, Section 12.4 of the City Charter currently reads:
Terms of Office
Section 12.4
(a) The term of office of each member of the Council, including the Mayor, except as by this section provided, shall be four years. Terms of office of members of the Council shall be staggered so that one member of Council nominated from each ward shall stand for election every two years. The Mayor shall be nominated and elected from the City at large. Such term shall commence on the Monday next following the regular City election at which such officers are elected. The term of the members of the Mayor and Council elected on November 8, 2016 shall terminate on the Monday next following the regular City election held on November 6, 2018. The term of the members of the Council elected on November 7, 2017 shall commence on the Monday next following their election and shall terminate on the Monday following the regular City election held on November 3, 2020.
(b) Each appointive officer, except members of City boards and commissions, shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer or authority.
(c) All other officers of the City shall serve for the terms specifically stated in this charter or in the law or ordinance creating the office.
(d) With the consent of the Council, an officer may continue provisionally, in office, after the expiration of the term of office, until a successor has been elected or appointed and has qualified for and assumed the duties of the office.
and Whereas, November 3, 2026 is available as an Election Date;
RESOLVED, That the following amended charter provision be placed on the ballot and submitted to the voters at the November 3, 2026 election date:
Terms of Office
Section 12.4
(a) The term of office of each member of the Council, including the Mayor, except as by this section provided, shall be four years. Terms of office of members of the Council shall be staggered so that one member of Council nominated from each ward shall stand for election every two years. The Mayor shall be nominated and elected from the City at large. The terms of each member of the Council, including the Mayor, elected after December 31, 2026 shall commence at noon on the first Monday of the month following the regular City election at which such officers are elected. The respective terms of all members shall expire at 11:59 am on the first Monday of the month following the City election at which the incoming member is elected.
(b) Each appointive officer, except members of City boards and commissions, shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer or authority.
(c) All other officers of the City shall serve for the terms specifically stated in this charter or in the law or ordinance creating the office.
(d) With the consent of the Council, an officer may continue provisionally, in office, after the expiration of the term of office, until a successor has been elected or appointed and has qualified for and assumed the duties of the office.
RESOLVED, if approved by voters, Section 12.4 of the City Charter would read:
Terms of Office
Section 12.4
(a) The term of office of each member of the Council, including the Mayor, except as by this section provided, shall be four years. Terms of office of members of the Council shall be staggered so that one member of Council nominated from each ward shall stand for election every two years. The Mayor shall be nominated and elected from the City at large. The terms of each member of the Council, including the Mayor, elected after December 31, 2026 shall commence at noon on the first Monday of the month following the regular City election at which such officers are elected. The respective terms of all members shall expire at 11:59 am on the first Monday of the month following the City election at which the incoming member is elected.
(b) Each appointive officer, except members of City boards and commissions, shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer or authority.
(c) All other officers of the City shall serve for the terms specifically stated in this charter or in the law or ordinance creating the office.
(d) With the consent of the Council, an officer may continue provisionally, in office, after the expiration of the term of office, until a successor has been elected or appointed and has qualified for and assumed the duties of the office.
RESOLVED, That November 3, 2026 is designated as the day for holding an election on the proposed Charter amendment;
RESOLVED, That the Clerk shall transmit a copy of the proposed amendment to the Attorney General and the Governor of Michigan and shall perform all other acts required by law for holding the election;
RESOLVED, That the proposed Charter amendment shall appear on the ballot in the following form:
AMENDMENT TO MODIFY THE TERMS OF OFFICE FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Shall Section 12.4 of the City Charter be amended to move the beginning of an elected officer’s term to noon on the first Monday of the month following the regular City election at which the officer is elected? Currently, an elected officer’s term begins on the first Monday after the regular City election at which the officer is elected.
¨ Yes ¨ No
RESOLVED, That the proposed Charter amendment and proposed ballot question shall be published in full in the Washtenaw County Legal News and on the City’s website; and
RESOLVED, That if the amendment is adopted, it shall take immediate effect.
Sponsored by: Council Administration Committee