Correction: An earlier version of the story incorrectly noted six, not seven charter changes passed. Proposition 444 did pass.
Holbrook voters approved several changes to the city charter in the Nov. 4, vote-by-mail special election, while rejecting others, according to unofficial results released by Navajo County. A total of 472 ballots were cast out of 2,437 registered voters making the turnout just under 20%.
Proposition 438 passed 295 to 170, expanding the city’s authority to require developers to provide or fund public improvements connected to new development. Proposition 439 passed 265 to 203, removing outdated language tied to the city’s first council election in 1995. Proposition 440 passed 290 to 177 and moves future council elections to even-numbered years to align with state and federal cycles while keeping staggered four-year terms.
Proposition 443 passed by one of the widest margins of the election, 342 to 129, and will now require ordinances to receive two separate readings on different meeting dates and be publicly posted at least three working days in advance. Proposition 445 passed 308 to 159, setting city primary elections to occur on the same date as the state primary, and Proposition 446 passed 315 to 152, placing city general elections on the same date as the state’s general election.
Proposition 441, which would have eliminated the position of city treasurer from the charter, was rejected by voters 264 to 201. Proposition 442 was also voted down 278 to 187, keeping the current $500,000 threshold in place before city spending or land transfers for major facilities must go to voters rather than expanding it to $1 million. Proposition 444 passed 241 to 224, amending the charter to allow city council to ordinances relating to elections and office nominations as long as it doesn’t conflict with state or federal law Proposition 447 would have streamlined the charter into using nongendered language but was rejected 297 to 170 and the city will continue to use a masculine, feminine and neutral pronoun in every instance.
Because Holbrook operates under a voter-approved city charter, any amendments approved at the local level must still be reviewed at the state level before they become law. The propositions that passed in this election will now be forwarded to Governor Katie Hobbs for certification, as required under Arizona’s charter city provisions. The Governor’s signature is the final step that formally incorporates the changes into the Holbrook City Charter. Once certified, the city will begin the administrative process of updating its governing documents, adjusting election calendars and implementing the new ordinance procedures approved by voters.
