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City clerk certifies referendum petition as sufficient; council faces repeal-or-election choice on April 8
Summary
City Clerk certified a referendum petition against Ordinance 25-16 (Karman Line annexation area) as sufficient with 19,863 valid signatures, above the 18,646 threshold; council will either repeal the ordinance or set a special election within 90 days unless protests change the count.
The City Clerk certified on April 1 that citizen petitioners submitted sufficient signatures to trigger the referendum process on ordinance 25-16, a measure related to the Karman Line annexation area. The certification sets a charter-driven deadline that gives the council two options at its April 8 meeting: repeal the ordinance or set a special election within 90 days.
Clerk’s findings: The clerk reported the petitioners turned in 31,817 signatures on Feb. 26. Staff completed a line-by-line verification and accepted 19,863 of those signatures as valid registered voters at the addresses listed; the clerk rejected 11,954 lines for reasons including name/address mismatches and nonresidency. The clerk said the validated total was 1,217 signatures above the required minimum of 18,646 signatures for a municipal referendum.
Process and timeline: The clerk described a 15-day protest window following certification during which opponents may file protests alleging specific signature issues (the protest must identify the signatures it contests). If a protest is filed, the council must stop the election-scheduling process while the protest is adjudicated by a hearing officer. If no successful protest reduces the valid signature total below the statutory threshold, the council must either repeal the ordinance or set a special election. The clerk stated that, if council elects a special election, the statutory schedule would require holding it within 90 days of last Friday’s certification; staff recommended June 17 as the date because of administrative timing and the need to close the April 1 election process.
Council discussion: City Attorney staff confirmed the council’s two options are (1) repeal the particular annexation ordinance or (2) schedule a special election; the city attorney emphasized the charter-prescribed process. Council members asked procedural questions about protests (they must specify signatures) and the likely cost and timing of a special election (staff estimated approximately $450,000–$500,000, with June 17 as a recommended date). Several members noted the process leaves limited time for public input; the clerk and attorney said the charter does not require a public hearing for the council’s decision.
Why it matters: Certification triggers either a direct repeal by council or a citywide special election that would decide whether the annexed territory becomes part of the city. The certification creates a fast-moving charter timetable with budget implications for a special election and procedural constraints for the council.
Next steps: Staff will watch for any filed protests during the 15-day window; council will address the matter on April 8. If no protest stops the schedule and council does not repeal the ordinance, staff will prepare for a special election and final logistics for a June 17 date, per clerk recommendation.
