§ 14-47-107 - Subsequent election on aldermanic form of government. - Arkansas Statutes

14-47-107. Subsequent election on aldermanic form of government.

(a) (1) After the expiration of six (6) years after the date on which the first board of directors takes office in a city organized under this chapter, a petition may be presented to the mayor. It shall be signed by electors equal in number to fifteen percent (15%) of the aggregate number of ballots cast for all candidates for director in that position for which the greatest number of ballots were cast in the preceding general election. Whereupon, the mayor by proclamation shall submit the question of organization of the city under the aldermanic form of government at a special election to be held in accordance with 7-11-201 et seq.

(2) The proclamation shall be published at length in some newspaper published in the city for one (1) time. Notice of the election shall be published in some newspaper published in the city one (1) time a week for two (2) weeks, the first publication to be not less than fifteen (15) days before the date set for the election. No other notice of the election shall be necessary.

(b) If the plan is not adopted by a majority of the voters voting upon that issue at the special election called, the question of adopting the aldermanic form of government shall not be resubmitted to the voters of the city for adoption within four (4) years thereafter. Then the question to adopt shall be resubmitted upon the presentation to the mayor of a petition signed by electors equal in number to fifteen percent (15%) of the aggregate number of votes cast for all candidates for director in that position for which the greatest number of ballots were cast in the preceding general election.

(c) At the special election for the submission or resubmission of the proposition, the ballots shall read:

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(d) (1) The election thereupon shall be conducted, the votes canvassed, and the result declared in the same manner as provided by law in respect to other city elections.

(2) (A) The county board of election commissioners shall certify the result to the mayor.

(B) The result shall be conclusive and not subject to attack unless suit is brought within thirty (30) days after the certification by the county board of election commissioners in the circuit court of the county in which the city is situated to contest the certification.

(e) If the majority of the votes cast on the issue shall be in favor thereof, the city shall thereupon proceed to the election of all of the city officials who were subject to election in the city immediately prior to the date on which the city was organized under the management form of city government.

(f) If no suit is brought to contest the certification of the results of the election within the thirty-day period after the certification, the mayor shall file certificates stating that the proposition was adopted with the Secretary of State and county clerk of the county in which the city is situated.

(g) (1) The election of the city officials shall be held at the next time provided for the election of city officials under the statutes then in effect pertaining to the aldermanic form of government pertaining to the class of cities to which the particular city belongs.

(2) (A) All laws pertaining to the aldermanic form of government for such class of cities shall apply.

(B) (i) On the date as prescribed by such laws when newly elected city officials take office, the term of office of all members of the board of directors shall terminate, and the transition to the aldermanic form of government shall be completed.

(ii) If, under the aldermanic form of government, the terms of aldermen are staggered, determination shall be made by lot and the length of the terms fixed accordingly.

(h) The provisions of this section for converting to the aldermanic form of government shall be in addition to the right to change to the aldermanic or any other form of municipal government that may exist under present law.

(i) (1) When a municipality elects to adopt the aldermanic form of government in the manner provided in this section, the question of reorganizing the municipality under the manager form shall not be submitted to the electors within a period of six (6) years, and thereafter only in the manner provided in 14-47-106.

(2) If the qualified electors of the municipality do not approve the organization of the municipality under the manager form at the election, the proposition shall not again be submitted to the electors of the city for a period of four (4) years, and then only in the manner provided in 14-47-106.