Anna council approves special election Nov. 4 to ask voters on multiple charter amendments, including term limits and publication of audit

Anna, Aug. 12 — The City Council voted to call a special election on Nov. 4, 2025 to present a package of proposed amendments to the city’s home‑rule charter as recommended by the Charter Review Commission and staff. The council approved a procedural motion to re‑order and re‑letter propositions before they are published on the ballot.

The bundle of proposed amendments covers many subjects. Council members pulled several items for separate discussion before finalizing the list; among the most substantive items they debated and advanced to the ballot are: - Term limits and staggered terms for mayor and council: Council approved a variation (called here “variation A”) that moves toward a four‑year term structure with staggered seats while providing a transition framework; the council’s motion passed and the amendment will appear on the ballot as modified language for voters to decide. - City manager residency timing: Council agreed to preserve a residency requirement but allow additional flexibility beyond the charter’s current one‑year residency window. Council approved an amendment to preserve the residency obligation but to allow additional six‑month extensions under council authority; staff will translate that into charter language for the ballot. - Publication of the city’s audit: After discussion (and a brief procedural rescind/revote to clarify language), the council directed that the entire annual audit be published on the city’s website and filed with the city secretary; that change will be included on the ballot. - Boards and commissions: The council approved charter language setting staggered terms and term limits for board and commission members (three‑year terms, limit of three consecutive terms, with a year off before reappointment). Council also approved a provision to standardize organizational meeting timing (February) for planning and zoning and to align related rules. - Conflict/contract rules: Council approved a proposition to restrict officers (as defined) and members of boards and commissions from having a substantial interest in city contracts or the sale of land, materials or services to the city; council added an explicit moratorium period (two years) on doing business with the city after leaving office. - Petition threshold for ballot candidates: Council approved a charter provision requiring candidates to submit a petition with a minimum number of valid signatures (the greater of 25 or 0.5% of the most recent mayoral vote) when placing a candidate name on the ballot, consistent with state rules if a municipality adopts such a provision.

Several propositions were discussed at length and either amended or separated for individual votes; staff will prepare final, consolidated charter language for the city secretary and for the election order. Councilors emphasized that final ballot language must be clear to voters and that any implementation details (such as how the personnel or web publication changes are carried out) will be addressed by ordinance and administrative policy after voter approval.

The council’s action authorizes the city secretary and staff to finalize the election order, re‑letter the propositions in sequence, and proceed with the statutory notice and election tasks necessary to place the measures on the Nov. 4 ballot.

A final note from the meeting: council members asked staff to prepare clearer ballot captions and to provide side‑by‑side drafting of current vs. proposed charter text for public review before the ballot materials are finalized.