What's on Flagstaff's special election ballot beyond Northern Arizona Healthcare rezoning?

FLAGSTAFF — While the proposed rezoning for a new Northern Arizona Healthcare hospital might be the most high-profile topic on Flagstaff's special election ballot, voters face a total of 20 questions.

Nineteen items on the Nov. 7 election ballot are proposed amendments to the Flagstaff city charter. City charters establish the fundamental laws of a city and are routinely updated and reviewed, in part to ensure compliance with state and federal law. Flagstaff voters last approved changes to the city charter eight years ago.

Flagstaff officials are hosting an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to discuss the proposed changes to the city charter.

Here's a breakdown of everything on Flagstaff's special election ballot. This election will be conducted by mail. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters on Oct. 11. They must be received by 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 and can be returned by mail or via a ballot drop box. More information about returning ballots and requesting a replacement ballot is available at https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/2105/Elections.

Previous coverage: Residents pack Northern Arizona Healthcare forum about proposed hospital

Proposition 461 — Nomination requirements for primary election

This amendment would allow the city to modify the minimum number of signatures required for prospective candidates to qualify for placement on a ballot.

Currently, the signature requirement for candidates to qualify is 5% of the number of voters in the prior general election, which some past candidates have said is difficult to achieve and can be a barrier to running for office, especially as voter turnout continues to increase.

Proposition 462 — Purchases, contracts and city Improvements

This amendment would increase the monetary threshold for when formal procurement processes are required for purchases, contracts or city improvements from $50,000 to $100,000. The city currently uses an informal procurement process for less expensive purchases.

Voters last approved a procurement threshold increase from $15,000 to $50,000 in 2008.

"An increase in the threshold will allow the city to secure needed supplies, materials, equipment, services and city improvements more quickly before they are no longer available," according to the city's election information packet.

Proposition 463 — Administrative residency requirements

This city charter amendment would remove the requirement for the city manager, clerk, treasurer and attorney to live within Flagstaff city limits.

Removing the residency requirement "offers more affordable housing options to qualified job applicants for these positions," according to the city.

Proposition 464 — Procurement methods

This charter amendment updates the charter's language to more accurately reflect the procurement methods used for city improvements, supplies, materials, equipment and services.

Proposition 465 — Leases and sale of real city properties

This city charter amendment would allow the City Council to lease or sell real property to someone other than the highest bidder, enabling them to consider factors beyond price.

Proposition 466 — Procurement language

Like Proposition 464, this amendment details updates to the city charter's language to more accurately reflect the procurement methods used for city improvements, supplies, materials, equipment and services. The charter currently only specifically references a bidding process.

Proposition 467 — Personnel rules and regulations

This charter amendment would switch the authority to establish personnel rules and regulations from the City Council to the city manager. This would give the city manager the responsibility to appoint, lay off, suspend, transfer, demote or remove all officers and employees of the city that were not elected or appointed to their position.

Proposition 468 — Actions taken by ordinance

This amendment would clarify that a City Council ordinance is only required to authorize the acquisition, sale or exchange of public real property in "fee simple" where title to the land will be transferred. At the same time, an ordinance is not required to authorize the acquisition, sale or exchange of property interests less than fee simple, such as easements.

Proposition 469 — Boards and commissions

This city charter amendment would allow non-city residents to serve on the city's boards and commissions. A City Council ordinance will determine the number of seats available to non-city residents.

Proposition 470 — Facilities in excess of $1 million

This amendment would eliminate the requirement for voter approval for new municipal facilities. Currently, voter approval is required for new city buildings or facilities costing more than $2.95 million.

Proposition 471 — Issuance of bonds

This charter amendment would eliminate the requirement for voter approval on sale tax-backed bond issues.

Proposition 472 — Franchise elections

This city charter amendment would change the period required to call a special election from 30 days to 180 days to be consistent with state law.

Proposition 473 — Final read of ordinance on the same day as first read

This charter amendment would require 75% of all members of the City Council to vote unanimously for the first reading, second reading and adoption of an ordinance in the same meeting it was initially introduced. The current law only requires the council members attending the meeting to cast an affirmative vote, which could be less than 75% of the council.

The 30-day referral period before an approved ordinance goes into effect will remain in place.

Proposition 474 — Administration of adopted tax code

This city charter amendment affirms "the city's desire to maintain local control over its own budget, taxation, financial, and fiscal powers to the extent not otherwise preempted by federal or state law," according to the city's analysis of the proposition in the election publicity pamphlet. It also affirms the city's authority to adopt ordinances to provide for local taxation, like sales and property taxes.

Proposition 475 — The sale of city personal property

This amendment modifies the city charter's section on the city's sale of property that isn't real estate ("personal property"). Most significantly, the amendment would increase the threshold dollar amount required for public notice of sale of city personal property from $500 to $1,000.

Proposition 476 — Physical records requirements

This charter amendment removes the requirement that the city maintain three physical copies of public records to adapt to technological changes and state law. Existing Arizona law stipulates that one physical copy and one digital copy must be stored and maintained.

Proposition 477 — Cash basis fund

If passed by a majority of voters, this amendment would eliminate the city's Cash Basis Fund, initially adopted in 1959 to set aside financial resources to assist in meeting future obligations should the city need additional financial support. The city does not currently use the Cash Basis Fund. The last reference to the fund appeared in the 1967 Audit Report, according to the city's summary of the amendment in the election publicity pamphlet.

Proposition 478 — Municipal court and magistrate terminology

This charter amendment will update the charter's wording to reflect modern terminology regarding the courts better.

Proposition 479 — Failure to vote

This amendment would allow City Council members to be excused from voting when they have declared a conflict of interest. This will avoid the record reflecting a "yes" vote by that council member. Under the current charter language, council members may only be excused from voting if the matter is related to their official conduct.

Proposition 480 — Referendum relating to ordinance

This citizen's initiative allows voters to decide on rezoning nearly 100 acres of currently undeveloped land south of Flagstaff for the construction of a new hospital by Northern Arizona Healthcare.

The City Council approved the rezoning in May against the city's Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations.

This ordinance deals exclusively with rezoning for the hospital, an accompanying medical office and a parking garage. It does not address any other aspect of Northern Arizona Healthcare's broader plans for a future Health and Wellness Village at the site.

Reach the reporter at LLatch@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Flagstaff election 2023: What's on the special election ballot