Voters in Holbrook will soon take part in the special election that includes 10 proposed amendments to the city charter. Ballots will be mailed between Oct. 8 and Oct. 24, for the Nov. 4 election.
Each proposition deals with different sections of the city charter, some cleaning up outdated language, others changing how local elections are scheduled or how the city handles large expenditures. No arguments for or against any of the measures were submitted to the city clerk for inclusion in the official publicity pamphlet.
Proposition 438 would broaden the city’s authority over new development. It allows the city to require any person or business undertaking new physical development to provide or pay fees toward public improvements such as utilities, drainage, streets, or parks. It also clarifies that the city may exercise all powers authorized by state or federal law in regulating development. A no vote would keep the current, narrower list of required facilities.
Proposition 439 repeals an obsolete section that referred to the first Holbrook council election in 1995 that required city elections to occur in odd-numbered years. A yes vote deletes those provisions, keeping the elections in alignment with the state election cycle of even years; a no vote retains the elections be in odd years.
Proposition 440 moves council elections to even-numbered years to align with state and federal election cycles while keeping staggered four-year terms. It also deletes 1990s transition language from the charter.
Proposition 441 eliminates the charter-mandated position of city treasurer. The duties of receiving, keeping and disbursing city money are already handled under modern administrative structures, making the separate office unnecessary.
Proposition 442 doubles from $500,000 to $1 million the threshold at which voter approval is required before the city can spend public funds, grant tax concessions, incur debt, or transfer land for major facilities such as stadiums, amphitheaters or convention centers.
Proposition 443 requires that all ordinances and amendments receive two separate readings on different meeting dates, rather than allowing both readings on the same day. Proposed ordinances must also be posted at City Hall at least three working days before the first reading, strengthening public-notice requirements.
Proposition 444 clarifies that the city council may adopt election-related ordinances such as rules for candidate nominations so long as they do not conflict with state law or the city charter.
Proposition 445 formally sets Holbrook’s primary elections to coincide with the state primary, currently the first Tuesday in August of even-numbered years. That replaces language allowing primaries on any date consistent with state or federal law.
Proposition 446 does the same for general elections, tying them to the state’s general election date, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, instead of any date that is not against the law.
Proposition 447 removes an outdated clause stating that any masculine words in the charter must also include a feminine and neutral. The change reflects modern drafting practices that avoid gendered language altogether.
Ballots can be returned by mail or dropped off at Holbrook City Hall, 465 N. First Ave., the drive-up box at 121 W. Buffalo St. or the Navajo County Recorder’s Office in Holbrook. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
