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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 - Proposed Charter AmendmentsCLERK OF THE COUNCIL Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C. COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 676-6690 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL COUNCILMEMBERS �O nM Barbara Brenner Rud Browne Barry Buchanan July 22, 2015 11`�Ckll MEMORANDUM V TO: County Auditor Debbie Adelstein cao3wN 2�?�1S Bs►FFROM: Carl Weimer, Council ChairQ41E D �ST�rN SUB]: Council Action at the July 21, 2015 meeting. ryqub1ToA Pete Kremen Ken Mann Satpal Sidhu Carl Weimer The Council, at its July 21, 2015 meeting, took action as shown on the portion of minutes printed below: OTHER ITEMS 9. RECEIPT AND FORWARDING OF WHATCOM COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE WHATCOM COUNTY VOTERS (AB2015-219) Browne moved to forward the amendments to the Auditor to be included on the November general election ballot. The motion was seconded The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Brenner, Kremen, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, and Weimer (6) Nays: None (0) Absent: Mann(l) The Charter Review Commission, in cooperation with Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Daniel Gibson, approved ballot titles for the amendments. Please see the attached information for the specific list of Charter Review Commission amendments. c: Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council Daniel Gibson, Senior Civil Deputy Prosecutor Nancy Moore, Office Coordinator AB2015-219 Correspondence file Att. 2015 Whatcom County Charter Review Commission Amendments CW/jkn I:/shared/council/Carl Weimer/2015/After Council Meeting/Charter Amendments to Auditor Ballot Title: Proposition No. 1 METHOD OF ELECTING COUNCIL MEMBERS The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter concerning the method of electing County Council members. This measure would amend Charter Section 2.13 to provide for election of County Council members by voters only from within the council district from which the candidate was nominated, except for the at -large position which would continue to be selected by voters from the entire county. Should this proposal be: APPROVED REJECTED Text Amendment: Section 2.13 Election ode by Council District The registered voters of Whateeng Geunty each Council District shall vote upon each council member position to be filled from their district at the November general election. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for each position shall be elected. Ballot Title: Proposition No. 2 LIMITING POWER OF COUNCIL TO AMEND CHARTER The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter limiting the power of the Council to propose Charter amendments. This measure would amend Charter Section 8.23 to prohibit the County Council from proposing Charter amendments to previous Charter amendments that have been approved by a 2/3 majority of voters, except if the Council adopts a proposal for such amendment by a 7-0 vote. TW o ) I APPROVED: REJECTED: Text Amendment: Section 8.23 Amendments by the County Council. The County Council may propose amendments to the Charter by enacting an ordinance to submit a proposed amendment to the voters at the next November general election occurring at least ninety (90) days after enactment. A minimum of five (5) affirmative votes shall be required to enact such an ordinance excel2t that if a 12revious charter amendment was approved by a 2 3 majority of the voters then no ordinance proposing to the voters further amendment of that matter shall be adopted except by a 7-0 affirmative vote of the Council. An ordinance proposing an amendment to the Charter shall not be subject to the veto power of the County Executive. H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\13allot Titles and amendments FINALFormatDGedits.docx The County Council by unanimous vote of the entire Council may effect amendments to the language of the Charter where the passage of time has rendered language moot or obsolete. Such changes shall be made by ordinance, and have a public hearing. Ballot Title: Proposition No. 3 LIMITING POWER OF COUNCIL TO AMEND CHARTER'S ELECTION PROVISIONS The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter limiting the power of the Council to propose Charter amendments. This measure would amend Charter Section 8.23 to prohibit the County Council from proposing any Charter amendment to Charter Sections 2.12 or 2.13, which pertain to the method of nominating and electing County Council members, except if the Council adopts a proposal for such amendment by a 7-0 vote. Should this proposal be: APPROVED: REJECTED: Text Amendment: Section 8.23 Amendments by the County Council. The County Council may propose amendments to the Charter by enacting an ordinance to submit a proposed amendment to the voters at the next November general election occurring at least ninety (90) days after enactment. A minimum of five (5) affirmative votes shall be required to enact such an ordinance. No ordinance proposing amendment of any provision of Sections 2.12 or 2.13 of this Charter shall be adopted by the Council except b a 7-0 affirmative vote. An ordinance proposing an amendment to the Charter shall not be subject to the veto power of the County Executive. The County Council by unanimous vote of the entire Council may effect amendments to the language of the Charter where the passage of time has rendered language moot or obsolete. Such changes shall be made by ordinance, and have a public hearing. Ballot Title: Proposition No. 4 WORD LIMIT FOR BALLOT QUESTIONS The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to provide greater consistency with state law regarding the wording of initiatives and referenda. This measure would amend Charter Sections 5.40 and 5.60 pertaining to initiatives and referenda and increase the word limit for ballot questions from 20 to 40 words. Should this proposal be: APPROVED REJECTED Text Amendment: Section 5.40 Initiative - Procedures. H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\13allot Titles and amend mentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx Any legal voter or organization of legal voters of Whatcom County may file an initiative proposal with the County Auditor, who within five (5) days, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, shall confer with the petitioner to review the proposal as to form and style. The Auditor shall give the proposed initiative a number, which shall thereafter be the identifying number for the measure. The Auditor shall then transmit a copy of the proposal to the Prosecuting Attorney, who within ten (10) days after receipt thereof, in consultation with the petitioner shall formulate a ceneise statement, t ^F the PUFpese ef the measure the ballot title which shall consist of: a a statement of the subiect of the measure b a concise description of the measure- and c aquestion: "Shall this be enacted into law?" The statement of the sub"ect of the measure must be proposed as -a positive statement be sufficiently broad to reflect the subject and be sufficiently precise to give notice of the measure's subject matter, and not exceed ten words. The Concise description must contain no more than thirty words be a true and impartial description of the measure's essential contents clearly identify the Proposition to be voted on and not to the extent reasonably possible, create prejudice either for or against the measure. Such concise statement will be the ballot title. The petitioner then has one hundred and twenty (120) days ... Section 5.60 Referendum - Procedures. Any legal voter, or organization of legal voters of Whatcom County may file a referendum proposal, against any enacted ordinance or portion thereof, with the County Auditor. The proposal shall be presented to the Auditor within forty-five (45) days after the ordinance is passed by the County Council. Within five (5) days, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, the Auditor shall confer with the petitioner to review the proposal as to form and style. The Auditor shall give the referendum proposal a number, which shall thereafter be the identifying number for the measure. The Auditor shall then transmit a copy of the proposal to the County Prosecuting Attorney, who within ten (10) days after receipt thereof, shall formulate - eer►etse statement, posed as a EjueStrefq, not te exceed twenty (20) war- , which shall expFess-afi4 atengent of the ;easpfe-l3eing - feFred the ballot title which shall consist of: a a statement of the subject of the measure; (bj a concise description of the measure; and c aquestion: "Shall this be enacted into law?" The statement of the subject of the measure must be proposed as a positive statement be sufficiently broad to reflect the subiect and be sufficiently orecise to give notice of the measure's sub ect matter, and not exceed ten words. The concise description must contain no more than thirty words be a true and impartial description of the measure's essential contents ciearl identify the proposition to be voted on and not to the extent reasonably possible, create prejudice either for or against the measure. Such concise statement will be the ballot title. The petitioner then has one hundred and twenty (120) days... H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\Ballot 1 itles and amendmentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx Ballot Title: Proposition No. 5 LOWERING THRESHOLD FOR INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM SIGNATURES The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter lowering the number of signatures required to place initiatives and referenda on the ballot. This measure would amend Sections 5.40 and 5.60 to lower the threshold of signatures required to place an initiative or referendum on the ballot from 15% of the number of votes cast in the last general election to 8% of the number of votes cast in the last regular gubernatorial election. Should this proposal be: APPROVED: REJECTED: Text Amendment: Section 5.40, The petitioner then has one hundred twenty (120) days to collect the signatures of the registered voters in the county equal in number to mess than ' 5°'- of the vote EaSt OR th Eounty in the last genef=al eleetion or not Eess than 80Io of the vote cast in the county in the last regular gubernatorial election...." Section 5.60 "... The petitioner then has one hundred twenty (120) days to collect the signatures of registered voters in the county equal in number to net less than 15% of the vase cast On the eeef4y in the last general e'.rct° —ar not less than 8% of the vote cast in the county in the last regular lay' Wbernatorial election...." Ballot Title: Proposition No. 6 LOWERING THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES REQUIRED FOR CITIZEN INITIATIVES TO AMEND CHARTER The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter reducing signatures required to place citizen -proposed Charter amendments on the ballot. This measure would amend Charter Section 8.22 to lower the number of signatures required for placement upon the ballot of proposed Whatcom County Charter changes by citizen initiative from 20% to 15% of the number of votes cast in the County in the last gubernatorial election. Should this proposal be: APPROVED: REJECTED: Text Amendment: Section 8.22 Amendments by the Public H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\13allot Titles and amend mentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx The public may propose amendments to the Charter by registering with the Auditor an initiative petition bearing the signatures of registered voters of the county equal in number to, but not less than, }w=nty (20) fifteen (15) percent of the number of votes cast in the county in the last gubernatorial election. Signatures shall be registered not more than one hundred twenty (120) days following filing of the petition with the Auditor, who shall submit the amendments to the voters. The one hundred and twenty (120) day period shall begin upon receipt of official notification to petitioner(s) by the Prosecuting Attorney's Office either by certified mail or messenger. If the last day for collecting signatures falls on a weekend or legal holiday, then the one hundred and twenty (120) day period shall extend to the end of the next business day. (Amended by referendum 1986; Ord. 93-045; amended by referendum 1995; Ord. 2005-075 Exh. A) Ballot Title: Proposition No. 7 TERM LIMITS FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to place term limits upon the County Executive and County Council members. This measure would amend Charter Sections 2.14 and 3.21 to apply a term limit of no more than three consecutive full terms to the County Executive and County Council members, to be applied prospectively only, beginning with the 2017 and 2019 elections. Should this proposal be: APPROVED REJECTED Text Amendment: Section 2.14 Terms of Council Members. The term of office of each elected councilmember shall be four (4) years commencing with the second Monday in January following election, and until a successor has been elected and has qualified. Elected councilmembers shall serve no more than three consecutive full terms in office. Terms are considered consecutive unless they are at least four years apart. The limit in terms shall be applied prospectively only,beginning with the elections in 2017 and 2019. Section 3.21 Election and Term of Office. The County Executive shall be nominated and elected by the voters of the county, and the term of office shall be four years and until the successor is elected and qualified. The Countv Executive shall serve no more than three consecutive full terms.in office. Terms are considered consecutive unless they are at least four years apart. The limit in terms shall be applied prospectively only, beginning with the election in 2019. Ballot Title: Proposition No. 8 ALTERING COMPOSITION OF DISTRICTING COMMISSION H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\13allot Titles and amendmentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to alter the requirements for composition of the Districting Commission. This measure would amend Charter Section 4.41 to include representation on the districting committee from each political party with a candidate who receives at least 15% of the vote cast in the County in the last gubernatorial primary or presidential election, with a second representative on the committee assigned to each party of which a candidate for those same elections received at least 33% of the vote. Should this proposal be: APPROVED: REJECTED: Text Amendment: Section 4.41 Districting Committee. During the month of January, 1981, and by January 31 of each tenth year thereafter, a five- FnerFnber Districting Committee shall be appointed. The County Council shall appoint feef persens to the committee, tone representative from each major political party, defined as the stated party of any candidate receiving at least 15% of the vote in Whatcom County in the most recent gubernatorial i2rimau or presidential election. Parties with a candidate receiving at least 33% of the vote in either of those elections will be provideda second representative on the Districtinq Committee. If the number of total representatives is even the feUF te app apoointees will select a -fifth an additional member who shall be the Chairfarm. If the total number is odd, the Committee wiil vote for and appoint a Chair internally. The Districting Committee shall within thirty (30) days of its appointment meet and appoint a Districting Master who shall be qualified by education, training and experience to draw a districting plan. If the Districting Committee is unable to agree upon the appointment of a Districting Master within thirty (30) days, the County Council shall appoint a Districting Master by March 31 of that year. H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\Ballot Titles and amend mentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C. 'tcoM oo` A COUNCILMEMBERS Barbara Brenner Rud Browne COUNTY COURTHOUSE sr � Barry Buchanan 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 Pete Kremen Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 676-6690 q�_ 0 � Ken Mann Satpal Sidhu -41 � Carl Weimer WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL J U� July 22, 2015 �8 A!�6 �q2 MEMORANDUM TO: County Auditor Debbie Adelstein UD]� FROM: Carl Weimer, Council Chair SUBJ: Council Action at the July 21, 2015 meeting. The Council, at its July 21, 2015 meeting, took action as shown on the portion of minutes printed below: OTHER ITEMS 9. RECEIPT AND FORWARDING OF WHATCOM COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE WHATCOM COUNTY VOTERS (AB2015-219) Browne moved to forward the amendments to the Auditor to be included on the November general election ballot. The motion was seconded The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Brenner, Kremen, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, and Weimer (6) Nays: None(0) Absent: Mann(l) The Charter Review Commission, in cooperation with Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Daniel Gibson, approved ballot titles for the amendments. Please see the attached information for the specific list of Charter Review Commission amendments. c: Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council Daniel Gibson, Senior Civil Deputy Prosecutor Nancy Moore, Office Coordinator AB2015-219 Correspondence file Att. 2015 Whatcom County Charter Review Commission Amendments CW/jkn I:/shared/council/Carl Weimer/2015/After Council Meeting/Charter Amendments to Auditor Ballot Title: Proposition No. 1 METHOD OF ELECTING COUNCIL MEMBERS The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter concerning the method of electing County Council members. This measure would amend Charter Section 2.13 to provide for election of County Council members by voters only from within the council district from which the candidate was nominated, except for the at -large position which would continue to be selected by voters from the entire county. Should this proposal be: APPROVED REJECTED Text Amendment: Section 2.13 Election ode by Council District The registered voters of Whateern Geunty each Council District shall vote upon each council member position to be filled from their district at the November general election. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes for each position shall be elected. Ballot Title: Proposition No. 2 LIMITING POWER OF COUNCIL TO AMEND CHARTER The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter limiting the power of the Council to propose Charter amendments. This measure would amend Charter Section 8.23 to prohibit the County Council from proposing Charter amendments to previous Charter amendments that have been approved by a 2/3 majority of voters, except if the Council adopts a proposal for such amendment by a 7-0 vote. This proposal should be: APPROVED: REJECTED: Text Amendment: Section 8.23 Amendments by the County Council. The County Council may propose amendments to the Charter by enacting an ordinance to submit a proposed amendment to the voters at the next November general election occurring at least ninety (90) days after enactment. A minimum of five (5) affirmative votes shall be required to enact such an ordinance, except that if a previous charter amendment was approved by a 2/3 majority of the voters, then no ordinance proposing to the voters further amendment of that matter shall be adopted except by a 7-0 affirmative vote of the Council. An ordinance proposing an amendment to the Charter shall not be subject to the veto power of the County Executive. H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\13allot Titles and amend mentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx The County Council by unanimous vote of the entire Council may effect amendments to the language of the Charter where the passage of time has rendered language moot or obsolete. Such changes shall be made by ordinance, and have a public hearing. Ballot Title: Proposition No. 3 LIMITING POWER OF COUNCIL TO AMEND CHARTER'S ELECTION PROVISIONS The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter limiting the power of the Council to propose Charter amendments. This measure would amend Charter Section 8.23 to prohibit the County Council from proposing any Charter amendment to Charter Sections 2.12 or 2.13, which pertain to the method of nominating and electing County Council members, except if the Council adopts a proposal for such amendment by a 7-0 vote. Should this proposal be: APPROVED: REJECTED: Text Amendment: Section 8.23 Amendments by the County Council. The County Council may propose amendments to the Charter by enacting an ordinance to submit a proposed amendment to the voters at the next November general election occurring at least ninety (90) days after enactment. A minimum of five (5) affirmative votes shall be required to enact such an ordinance. No ordinance proposing amendment of any provision of Sections 2.12 or 2.13 of this Charter shall be adopted by the Council except by a 7-0 affirmative vote. An ordinance proposing an amendment to the Charter shall not be subject to the veto power of the County Executive. The County Council by unanimous vote of the entire Council may effect amendments to the language of the Charter where the passage of time has rendered language moot or obsolete. Such changes shall be made by ordinance, and have a public hearing. Ballot Title: Proposition No. 4 WORD LIMIT FOR BALLOT QUESTIONS The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to provide greater consistency with state law regarding the wording of initiatives and referenda. This measure would amend Charter Sections 5.40 and 5.60 pertaining to initiatives and referenda and increase the word limit for ballot questions from 20 to 40 words. Should this proposal be: APPROVED REJECTED Text Amendment: Section 5.40 Initiative - Procedures. H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\13allot Titles and amend mentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx Any legal voter or organization of legal voters of Whatcom County may file an initiative proposal with the County Auditor, who within five (5) days, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, shall confer with the petitioner to review the proposal as to form and style. The Auditor shall give the proposed initiative a number, which shall thereafter be the identifying number for the measure. The Auditor shall then transmit a copy of the proposal to the Prosecuting Attorney, who within ten (10) days after receipt thereof, in consultation with the petitioner shall formulate a concise stateFnent, pe5ed as a pesitive questiaR, Ret to exceed twenty (29) WeM5, which shall express and giye a tfue and of the PUFpese of the Fneasur-e the ballot title which shall consist of: (a) a_statement of the subject of the measure b a concise descril2tion of the measure; and c a uestion: "Shall this be enacted into law?" The statement of the subject of the measure must be l2roposed as a positive statement be sufficiently broad to reflect the subject and be sufficient) recise to give notice of the measure's subject matter, and not exceed ten words. The concise description must contain no more than thirty words be a true and im artiai description of the measure's essential contents clearly identify the 12roposition to be voted on and not to the extent reasonably possible, create prejudice either for or against the measure. Such concise statement will be the ballot title. The petitioner then has one hundred and twenty (120) days ... Section 5.60 Referendum - Procedures. Any legal voter, or organization of legal voters of Whatcom County may file a referendum proposal, against any enacted ordinance or portion thereof, with the County Auditor. The proposal shall be presented to the Auditor within forty-five (45) days after the ordinance is passed by the County Council. Within five (5) days, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, the Auditor shall confer with the petitioner to review the proposal as to form and style. The Auditor shall give the referendum proposal a number, which shall thereafter be the identifying number for the measure. The Auditor shall then transmit a copy of the proposal to the County Prosecuting Attorney, who within ten (10) days after receipt thereof, shall formulate a eeise statement, r give a tFue and aFtial statement of the Fneasure beingr-eferred the ballot title which shall consist of: (a) a statement of the subject of the measure; (b) a concise description of the measure; and c aquestion: "Shall this be enacted into law?" The statement of the subject of the measure must be progosed as a positive statement be sufficiently broad to reflect the subject and be sufficiently l2recise to give notice of the measure's subject matter, and not exceed ten words. The concise description must contain no more than thift words be a true and impartial descri tion of the measure's essential contents clears identify the proposition to be voted on and not to the extent reasonably possible, create prejudice either for or against the measure. Such concise statement will be the ballot title. The petitioner then has one hundred and twenty (120) days... H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\13allot Titles and amendmentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx Ballot Title: Proposition No. 5 LOWERING THRESHOLD FOR INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM SIGNATURES The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter lowering the number of signatures required to place initiatives and referenda on the ballot. This measure would amend Sections 5.40 and 5.60 to lower the threshold of signatures required to place an initiative or referendum on the ballot from 15% of the number of votes cast in the last general election to 8% of the number of votes cast in the last regular gubernatorial election. Should this proposal be: APPROVED: REJECTED: Text Amendment: Section 5.40, "... The petitioner then has one hundred twenty (120) days to collect the signatures of the registered voters in the county equal in number to net less than ' _% of the vote East in the eeHnty on the last geneFal election not less than 8% of the vote cast in the county in the fast regular gubernatorial election...." Section 5.60 "... The petitioner then has one hundred twenty (120) days to collect the signatures of registered voters in the county equal in number to Ret--�ae1-1110 Of the vete cast °n the county :n the last geneFal election not less than 8% of the vote cast in the county in the last regular gubernatorial_ election...." Ballot Title: Proposition No. 6 LOWERING THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES REQUIRED FOR CITIZEN INITIATIVES TO AMEND CHARTER The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter reducing signatures required to place citizen -proposed Charter amendments on the ballot. This measure would amend Charter Section 8.22 to lower the number of signatures required for placement upon the ballot of proposed Whatcom County Charter changes by citizen initiative from 20% to 15% of the number of votes cast in the County in the last gubernatorial election. Should this proposal be: APPROVED: REJECTED: Text Amendment: Section 8.22 Amendments by the Public H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\13allot Titles and amendmentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx The public may propose amendments to the Charter by registering with the Auditor an initiative petition bearing the signatures of registered voters of the county equal in number to, but not less than, twenty 20) fifteen (15) percent of the number of votes cast in the county in the last gubernatorial election. Signatures shall be registered not more than one hundred twenty (120) days following filing of the petition with the Auditor, who shall submit the amendments to the voters. The one hundred and twenty (120) day period shall begin upon receipt of official notification to petitioner(s) by the Prosecuting Attorney's Office either by certified mail or messenger. If the last day for collecting signatures falls on a weekend or legal holiday, then the one hundred and twenty (120) day period shall extend to the end of the next business day. (Amended by referendum 1986; Ord. 93-045; amended by referendum 1995; Ord. 2005-075 Exh. A) Ballot Title: Proposition No. 7 TERM LIMITS FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to place term limits upon the County Executive and County Council members. This measure would amend Charter Sections 2.14 and 3.21 to apply a term limit of no more than three consecutive full terms to the County Executive and County Council members, to be applied prospectively only, beginning with the 2017 and 2019 elections. Should this proposal be: APPROVED REJECTED Text Amendment: Section 2.14 Terms of Council Members. The term of office of each elected councilmember shall be four (4) years commencing with the second Monday in January following election, and until a successor has been elected and has qualified. Elected councilmembers shall serve no more than three consecutive full terms in office. Terms are considered consecutive unless they are at least four years apart. The limit in terms shall be al2l2lied 12rospectively only, beginning with the elections in 2017 and 2019. Section 3.21 Election and Term of Office. The County Executive shall be nominated and elected by the voters of the county, and the term of office shall be four years and until the successor is elected and qualified. The Countv Executive shall serve no more than three consecutive full terms in office. Terms are considered consecutive unless they are at least four years apart. The limit in terms shall be aDalied prospectively only, beginning with the election in 2019. Ballot Title: Proposition No. 8 ALTERING COMPOSITION OF DISTRICTING COMMISSION H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\13allot Titles and amendmentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to alter the requirements for composition of the Districting Commission. This measure would amend Charter Section 4.41 to include representation on the districting committee from each political party with a candidate who receives at least 15% of the vote cast in the County in the last gubernatorial primary or presidential election, with a second representative on the committee assigned to each party of which a candidate for those same elections received at least 33% of the vote. Should this proposal be: APPROVED: REJECTED: Text Amendment: Section 4.41 Districting Committee. During the month of January, 1981, and by January 31 of each tenth year thereafter, a figpe- ,;,efnbeT Districting Committee shall be appointed. The County Council shall appoint €etif peFseAS to the committee, tone representative from each major political party, defined as the stated party of any candidate receiving at least 15% of the vote in Whatcom County in the most recent gubernatorial rims or l2residential election. Parties with a candidate receivina at least 330Io of the vote in either of those elections will be provided a second representative on the Districting Committee. If the number of total representatives is even,_ the feaF te-appeil aonointees will select a -fifth an additional member who shall be the Chairman. If the total number is odd, the Committee will vote for and appoint a Chair internally. The Districting Committee shall within thirty (30) days of its appointment meet and appoint a Districting Master who shall be qualified by education, training and experience to draw a districting plan. If the Districting Committee is unable to agree upon the appointment of a Districting Master within thirty (30) days, the County Council shall appoint a Districting Master by March 31 of that year. H:\Jill\Charter Review Commission\Charter Review Commission 2015\13allot Titles and amendmentsFINALFormatDGedits.docx