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Staff: petition to change Bloomfield's wards must meet Iowa code 10% threshold
Summary
City staff told the council that a petition to change the form of council elections must meet Iowa code requirements: signatures equal to 10% of voters at the last regular city election and not less than 10 persons; staff will confirm the exact number with the county auditor.
A staff member told the council that petitions to change Bloomfield's election system must follow Iowa law, including a signature threshold tied to the previous regular city election.
"It has to be equal to 10% of the persons who voted at the last regular city election and not less than 10 persons," the staff member said, and added they have called the auditor to confirm the exact number of voters in the last regular city election. The staff member said they would work with the city attorney to ensure the petition process follows the correct legal path.
Councilors and commenters asked whether the petition question could go on the November ballot or would require a special election; staff explained that timing affects cost and that ordinance changes and required hearings would follow a successful petition.
