Aurora council approves charter amendment loosening automatic-resignation rule for elected officials

The Aurora City Council voted 8-2 on July 28 to finalize an ordinance that will put a charter amendment before voters on the Nov. 4, 2025 municipal ballot removing an automatic resignation requirement for council members who obtain another elected office.

City Attorney Pete Schulte said the ordinance corrects an inconsistency between two charter sections by removing an automatic resignation provision from section 3-3 that conflicted with section 3-7. "This is the third reading of this ordinance because we had a discrepancy between 3-3 and 3-7," Schulte said. "If 3-3 passes, it removes the automatic resignation portion."

The measure was moved by Council Member Casa and seconded by Council Member Hancock. Council Member Coombs and Council Member Medina voted against finalizing the ordinance; the clerk recorded the motion as passing with eight yes votes and two no votes. Opponents on the council voiced concern that holding two elected offices could create conflicts that would be difficult to manage while performing both roles.

Supporters said the amendment cleans up the charter language and avoids an automatic forfeiture of office in cases where conflicts could instead be handled through existing disclosure and recusal rules.

With the council vote, the city attorney will place the ordinance on the November 4 municipal ballot for a final decision by Aurora voters.

Background: The ordinance as finalized does not itself change who may hold office; it only amends charter text and sends the proposed change to the electorate for approval.