By Tammy Gray In order to better inform readers of the decision-making process behind the city council’s decision to change election dates, extend terms of seated council members and correct a perceived conflict in the city charter through an ordinance passed in a 4-3 vote on April 22, The Tribune posed a series of written questions to each city council member and to City Manager Ted Soltis. In lieu of answering the specific questions posed, Soltis elected to provide a written statement regarding the election ordinance. That statement, unedited and in its entirety, follows. Responses received from individual council members will appear in future editions of The Tribune. Soltis wrote: “In 2018, the Arizona State Legislature adopted Arizona Revised Statutes 16-204.01, which required cities like Holbrook to hold local elections in even numbered years. While Holbrook has historically held elections in odd numbered years, 16-204.01 was presumed to be valid and required the elections be moved. Thus, in compliance with 16-204.01, the City’s 2021 elections were not held, and would instead be held in 2022. “In conformance with this state-mandated, consolidated election schedule, on January 23, 2021, the Holbrook City Council, by Resolution 20-10, approved an IGA (intergovernmental agreement) with Navajo County to participate in consolidated elections beginning in 2022. Soltis continued, “On April 14, 2021, after the City’s 2021 election process would have started under the former schedule, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in Brnovich v. City of Tucson, that the timing of elections in charter cities is a purely local concern. Thus, charter cities are not obligated by statute to move elections to even numbered years. Holbrook’s Charter, however, is unique and notably different than other city charters; Holbrook’s City Charter states it will conform election timing with State election laws; Accordingly, on April 22, 2021, the Holbrook City Council passed an ordinance conforming with state law that elections will be held in even numbered years. “City Hall is aware that this topic is of great interest to some residents, and is also aware of certain false rumors and sensationalized accounts of these events. Interested residents are encouraged to attend City Council meetings (or review the records of City Council meetings), where these issues are publicly discussed.” The Tribune has offered Soltis an opportunity to follow up on his statement or answer the specific questions and if he chooses to do so it will appear in the next issue of The Tribune. On Jan. 23, 2020, approximately 15 months prior to a vote being taken on the election ordinance that was recently approved, the Holbrook City Council did approve Ordinance 20-01, which is an agreement with Navajo County for election services. The agreement contains a single line regarding consolidating elections. It states, “The city seeks to participate in consolidated elections and pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes 16-205(C), the city and the county wish to enter into this agreement.” No further ordinances or discussion regarding election dates, extension of council member terms, or a perceived conflict within the charter that could potentially require the city to change its election dates was discussed publicly prior to April 22, 2021. The absence of communication to the public or any open discussion between council members regarding these issues was one of the questions posed by The Tribune to the city manager and council members. The question regarding the citation of ARS 16-204 in the election ordinance also remains unaddressed at this point. The Arizona Court of Appeals Division II issued a ruling in 2014 that ARS 16-204 does not apply to charter cities. The question regarding what options were and weren’t available to the city to remedy the perceived conflict within the city charter also remains unanswered.