Petition to Submit to the Electors a Change in Form of Government

On April 3, 2007, a petition was received in City Hall requesting that the City Council submit to the electors (eligible voters) the question of adopting the council-mayor-ward form of government.

The City currently has a mayor-council form of government. The vast majority of cities in Iowa operate under the Mayor-Council form of government. The mayor-council form of government is the initial form of government created when a city is incorporated. The mayor and five council members are elected at large from the entire community. This form of government does not allow for the Mayor to vote to break a tie. The Mayor can veto resolutions and ordinances. Council can vote to override the veto. The Mayor appoints a council member as mayor pro tem. The Mayor and Council are elected for four year terms on a staggered basis. Under this form, the position of city manager/administrator/coordinator can be created by ordinance, but it is not required. The Council can change the number of Council members as long as an odd number of members is maintained. With this form of government being maintained, three council positions will be up for election in November 2007.

The petition received on April 3, 2007 requested the form of government be changed to Council-manager-ward form. Dubuque and Des Moines are the only two cities in Iowa that have this form of government. This form has a council composed of a mayor and six council members. Of the six council members, two are elected at large and one is elected from each of four wards. The wards will be set up based on dividing the current population of the city equally. The mayor is elected at large. The mayor and other council members serve four-year staggered terms. The mayor is a member of the council and may vote on all matters before the council. As a voting member, the Mayor does not have the ability to veto resolutions or ordinances. The council, by ordinance, may change from one ward option authorized under this section to the other ward option. The ordinance must provide for the election of the mayor and council members as provided in the selected ward option at the next regular city election. As soon as possible after the beginning of the new term following each city election, the council shall appoint a city manager as a requirement of this form of government, and a council member to serve as mayor pro tem. Should this form of government be approved, the entire council and the mayor will be elected in November 2007.

The petition contains 327 signatures. Signatures were reviewed by the City Clerk. A copy of the petition with notes regarding the review by the City Clerk is available at City Hall , 5 E. Cherry Street, or,

You can view the reviewed petition with notes and the explanatory cover letter here.

Of the 327 signatures, seven were determined to be ineligible signatures. Those are as follows: 1. Arthur O’Haver – 3091 Cardinal Lane – Not in city limits; 2. Unknown name – no address listed – Disqualified due to no address; 3. Zachary Martensen – 2548 James Ave NW – Not in city limits; 4. Cathy Grugin – 1570 Deerfield Drive – Printed name appears twice, two signatures are different, but the printed names are identical; 5. Laura Wittnig – 2317 Hwy 395 NE – Not in City limits; 6. Wade Swindle – No address listed – disqualified due to no address; 7. Amy Barney – 3420 Terrace Hill Drive NE – Not in city limits. Three hundred and twenty names appear to be valid signatures. Two hundred and fifty-eight signatures are required for the petition to be valid.

On April 16, the City Council set a special election on the question of changing the form of government in North Liberty. The date of this election is Tuesday, June 12, 2007.

Click here for information from the Johnson County Auditor regarding this election. Early voting is available now at the Auditor's office.

Questions regarding the petition or the policy should be directed to Tracey Mulcahey at 319/626-5700.

City Council adopted a Petition Review Policy in February 2007. Click here to view the Resolution approving this policy.