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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-19 Submitting to the Voters at the November 3, 2026 Election a Proposed Amendment to Article IX, Section 8 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-19 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 ELECTION A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IX, SECTION 8. NOW,THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND, OREGON, RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1.The City Council submits to the qualified voters of the City the question of approving or rejecting an amendment to the Ashland Municipal Charter to amend Article IX to require voter approval of a City of Ashland utility bill fee or tax. SECTION 2.The City Council refers this question to the ballot of November 3,2026. SECTION 3.The City Recorder shall cause to be delivered to the Elections Officer of Jackson County, Oregon,the attached ballot measure notice, not later than 81 days prior to the election. The Election Officer is requested to give notice to the electorate of the City that the election shall be conducted by mail,pursuant to Oregon law; SECTION 4. The City Recorder shall give notice of the election as provided in the laws of the State of Oregon and the Charter and ordinances of the City of Ashland. SECTION 5.The ballot title for this measure is set forth in Exhibit A, attached. SECTION 6.The proposed amendment to the City Charter is set forth in Exhibit B, attached. SECTION 7.The City Attorney is authorized to alter the language of the ballot title only for the purpose of complying with any rules, procedures, and practices of the Election Officer of Jackson County to implement the requirements of Oregon law,but shall make no changes to the Charter amendment language in Exhibit B without the consent of the Council. This resolution is referred to the electors of the city of Ashland for approval at the Primary Election in Jackson County, set to occur on November 5, 2024. This resolution is effective upon signing by the ma or. 1'ADOPTED by the City Council this day of 5�026. ATTEST: SIG D and APPROVED this day of Ap u4t , 2026, AA Alissa o odzins ', ty ecor er T nya Graham, Mayor Reviewed as to fo th i J Attorney EXHIBIT (Ballot Title) Ballot Title: Requiring voter approval for new or increased fee or tax Question: Should Ashland's Charter be amended to require voter approval of a City of Ashland Utility Bill Fee or Tax? (Explanatory Statement) A"Yes"vote amends the Ashland Charter,Article IX, Special Powers of the Council, as follows: Section 8: Fees and Taxes: The City Council may propose new fees, taxes, or increase existing fees or taxes on a utility bill unrelated to the operation of the utilities. Notwithstanding any other provision, no such fee, tax, or increase will be assessed, imposed, or collected on a utility bill until at least thirty(30) days following a positive vote to affirm by Ashland voters at the next regularly scheduled election. State and Federal taxes and fees are exempt. Franchise fees, increases to comply with State set minimums, and increases adjusting for inflation not exceeding the CPI-west, are exempt. This citizen-initiated measure would require voter approval before the City can implement new or increased utility bill fees or taxes unrelated to utility operations. The measure could delay, affect the timing andJor provision of City services. The practical or financial impacts of delays have not been evaluated or detailed. A"No"vote retains current Ashland Charter language. EXHIBIT B The following amendments are proposed to the Ashland City Charter. Only these articles and sections as delineated herein are amended by this Resolution. Except for otherwise proposed amendments to the Charter by separate resolution and Ballot Title, all other language in the Charter shall be unchanged. Annotated to show deletions and additionsto the Ashland Municipal Code sections being modified. Deletions are bald- linead-thmug and additions are bold underlined. ARTICLE IX- SPECIAL POWERS OF THE COUNCIL Section 8: Fees and Taxes: The City Council by majority vote may propose new fees,taxes, or increase existing fees or taxes on a utility bill unrelated to the operation of the utfiffles. Notwithstanding any other provision,no such fee,tax, or increase will be assessed,imposed, or collected on a utility bill until at least thirty (30) days following a positive vote to affirm by Ashland voters at the next regularly scheduled election.State and Federal taxes and fees are exempt. Franchise fees, increases to comply with State minimums,and increases for inflation not exceeding the CPI-west,are exempt.