AN INITIATED ORDINANCE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF WARDS AND TO CHANGE

THE METHOD FOR ELECTION OF ALDERMEN IN HELENA-WEST HELENA, ARKANSAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

TO THE HONORABLE SANDRA RAMSEY, CITY CLERK, HELENA-WEST HELENA, PHILLIPS COUNTY, ARKANSAS:

WHEREAS: When fifteen percent (15%) of the number of voters who voted in the last mayoral general election (2014) sign an initiated petition and file the petition with the City Clerk according to law and election shall be ordered;

WHEREAS: We understand that our signature on this document does not necessarily indicate how we might vote on the issue if it makes it to the ballot. We understand that this petition must be filed with the county clerk on or after August 10, 2016 and on or before September 9, 2016. The city clerk will have 10 days to determine whether our petition is sufficient. If the city clerk deems the petition sufficient, the city clerk shall certify it to the county board of election commissioners who shall at the general election on November 8, 2016 present the following question; and

WHEREAS: The facts leading to our support of this petition include but are not in any way limited to our concern for the direction of our city in specific and community in general. Our city has lost nearly 4,000 residents since the 2000 Census was completed. We believe that an election to determine will bring stability to our political process and encourage more city-wide engagement in the governance of our city. We believe more engagement by more of our citizens will create greater buy-in and positive participation future opportunities for our city. 

NOW, THEREFORE, Be it Enacted by the Citizens of the City of Helena-West Helena, State of Arkansas, an Initiated Ordinance to be Entitled:  

“AN INITIATED ORDINANCE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF WARDS AND TO CHANGE

THE METHOD FOR ELECTION OF ALDERMEN IN HELENA-WEST HELENA, ARKANSAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

NOW, therefore, be it Ordained by the Citizens of the City of Helena-West Helena, State of Arkansas:  

Article 1. That the number of wards in our great city, be reduced from five (5) wards with ten (10) alderpersons to three (3) wards with six (6) alderpersons. 

Article 2. Each ward shall elect two alderpersons as follows: Position One of each ward shall be elected by the residents of the ward only and Position Two of each ward shall be elected by the residents of the entire city as per Arkansas Code Annotated Section 14-43-307 et. Seq..  

Article 3. That the ballot question upon which the citizens shall vote shall be as follows:

AN INITIATED PETITION TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF WARDS AND TO CHANGE 

THE METHOD FOR ELECTION OF ALDERMEN IN HELENA-WEST HELENA, ARKANSAS.

□ “For Initiated Ordinance 1-2016”

□ “Against Initiated Ordinance 1-2016.” 

Article 4.   All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.

Article 5.   If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other appropriations or applications of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable.

Article 6. That this Initiated Ordinance shall become effective upon the thirtieth day following passage by a majority vote of the citizenry. 

Article 7. If a majority of the qualified electors voting on the question at the election vote for Initiated Ordinance 1-2016, then, at the next general election, which shall occur in November 2018, aldermen throughout the city shall be elected consistent with this ordinance. The new wards shall be drawn and apportioned in accord with settled law following traditional redistricting principles within 180 days after the passage of this ordinance. The mayor shall work with a person, firm or corporation with an office in Phillips County, Arkansas, as selected by a majority vote of the city council to create a map the appropriate written descriptions of the wards for use by the office of the county clerk as well as the general public.  The members of the city council elected based upon this ordinance shall begin their term of service on January 1, 2019 and serve in accord with Arkansas Law.

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I, _________________, being duly sworn, state that the foregoing persons signed this sheet of the foregoing petition and each of them signed his name hereunto in my presence. I believe that each has stated his name, date of birth, and residence correctly and that each signor is a legal voter of the City of Helena-West Helena. 

Signature: 

______________________________ 

Subscribed and sworn to me this _______ day of ________ 2016. 

Signature: 

______________________________ 

My Commission Expires: 

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