On the Ballot: Charter Amendment Proposal B

On Nov. 8, voters will cast their ballots for or against Charter Amendment Proposal B.

According to the Royal Oak Charter Review Committee, Proposal B would change the time when city commissioners' terms in office begin and end if approved. Commissioners' terms of office currently expire at noon the first Monday in December after the election. In order not to shorten a sitting official’s term of office, the change would be phased in over the course of several years beginning in 2013. By 2017, all terms would begin at 7:30 p.m. the third Monday after the election. This proposal is designed to reduce the “lame duck” period when a new City Commission is elected and to facilitate a smoother transition.

Charter Amendment Proposal B will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot as follows:

Currently, the City Charter at Chapter Three, Section 4, provides that the term of all elective officers commences at 12:00 noon on the first Monday in December following the officers’ election. The proposed change would, starting in 2013 and in each subsequent election, end the term at 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday in November following the next election for that office. Starting in 2017 and in each subsequent election, the term would commence at 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday in November following the elective officers’ election.

Shall the proposal be adopted?  Yes or No

Other proposals

— Would reauthorize solid waste millage.

— Would change petition filing deadlines for candidates in accordance with state law.

— Would require candidates to pay filing fees when they turn in their nominating petitions.