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Salina commission directs staff to explore special election after petition to repeal pit‑bull ordinance
Summary
A certified petition to repeal Salina's breed‑specific code provisions prompted hours of public comment. The commission unanimously directed staff to consult the county clerk about holding a special election to place the petition on the ballot rather than passing the ordinance itself.
City staff presented a certified initiative/referendum petition that would repeal Salina's breed‑specific code provisions related to pit bulls. Jacob Woods explained that adoption by the commission within 20 days would enact the repealing ordinance immediately but would bar breed‑specific regulation changes for 10 years. The alternative is to decline to adopt and call a special election; the county estimated such an election could cost roughly $60,000–$80,000.
Petitioners Deborah Corrales and Tyler Sartain and many supporters urged commissioners to honor the verified petition and adopt the ordinance without spending taxpayer funds on a special election. Ms. Corrales said the campaign collected signatures over several years and that other U.S. cities had voted to repeal similar laws in recent elections.
Opponents, including public‑safety and veterinary voices, urged caution. Commissioners heard repeated testimony that enforcement costs, dog‑bite history and first‑responder perspectives matter and that a breed‑neutral "dangerous dog" approach might preserve safety while treating animals by behavior rather than appearance.
After more than an hour of public comment from both sides — supporters who said breed‑specific legislation is ineffective and unfair, and opponents who raised safety concerns — the commission voted unanimously 5–0 to direct staff to work with the county clerk/election officer on the details of calling a special election so the petition can be placed on the ballot. Staff noted if the commission instead adopted the petition text as ordinance, the city would be unable to adopt breed‑specific regulations for 10 years.
What happens next: Staff will consult the county clerk to determine timelines, costs, and whether the election can be conducted as a mail ballot or requires in‑person voting. The commission will then have the option to "forthwith" call the special election with ballot language that mirrors the petitioner text or take other action consistent with state law.
