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Council debates whether to hold town hall within 75-day pre-election window; no override vote taken
Summary
Springdale councilors debated whether to proceed with a second-annual town hall scheduled inside the 75-day pre-election window. Mayor Hawkins said he would step back from participation; several council members urged postponement until after the election and no motion to override the ordinance was made.
Councilmembers spent an extended portion of tonight’s meeting debating whether a planned town-hall Q&A scheduled for Sept. 10 should proceed inside the city’s 75-day pre-election prohibition. The ordinance prevents elected officials from calling special meetings within 75 days before an election unless the full council votes to override that restriction.
Mayor Hawkins told council he plans not to participate in a September town hall because the date falls inside the 75-day window and he does not want to create the appearance of an unfair advantage to incumbents. “It’s my intention to vacate or not participate in that town-hall meeting based on the issue… I’m stepping back from doing that,” Mayor Hawkins said during the discussion.
Council members split on whether to override the ordinance. Councilmember Bennett argued the rule exists to prevent incumbents from gaining an advantage and said he would not participate in a town hall held in the restricted window: “I am not willing to look my challenger in the eyes and say I deserve an unfair advantage,” he said. Others, including Councilmember Jacobs and members who supported the town hall last year, said the event was valuable to residents and suggested scheduling a similar event outside the 75-day window next year (for example, during the summer schedule) so residents do not lose the opportunity for informal engagement.
Legal context and next steps: The law director confirmed the ordinance’s language allows the council to override the restriction by a vote of the full council if they determine it is in the public interest. After discussion, no council motion to override the ordinance was put forward. Council members agreed to consider alternative timing — such as holding the town hall earlier in the summer next year or scheduling a post-election session — and to make sure future dates do not fall inside the 75-day period.
Outcome: The council discussed options, no override vote was taken, and the town-hall date scheduled for Sept. 10 will not proceed with administration’s active participation as planned. Councilmembers said they intend to preserve the town-hall concept but to rework scheduling to avoid the election-period restriction.
Sources: Mayor Hawkins; Councilmembers Bennett, Jacobs, Webster; Law Director (meeting transcript).
