1. ORD Proposition 436: Permanent Base Adjustment

ORDINANCE NO. O2026-015

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUMA, ARIZONA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF YUMA A PROPOSITION TO APPROVE A PERMANENT ADJUSTMENT TO THE CITY’S BASE EXPENDITURE LIMITATION AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL ELECTION

WHEREAS, Article IX, Section 20(6) of the Arizona Constitution permits the Mayor and City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Yuma (the “City”), by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the City Council, to submit to the voters a proposal to permanently adjust the City’s state-imposed 1979-1980 base expenditure limit (a “Permanent Base Adjustment”); and

WHEREAS, a Permanent Base Adjustment may be referred to the voters of the City at a regularly scheduled general election or at a nonpartisan election held for the nomination or election of the members of the City Council; and

WHEREAS, the City’s base expenditure limitation is derived from fiscal year 1979-80 and is adjusted annually in accordance with state law; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interests of the City to submit to the qualified electors of the City a proposition to approve a Permanent Base Adjustment to the City’s base expenditure limitation; and

WHEREAS, the City Council desires to submit the proposition to the qualified electors of the City of Yuma at the November 3, 2026, General Election.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Yuma as follows:

SECTION 1: Authorization of Ballot Measure
The City Council hereby authorizes the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Yuma, at the November 3, 2026, General Election, of a proposition to approve a Permanent Base Adjustment to the City’s base expenditure limitation, as follows:

SHALL THE EXPENDITURE BASE OF THE CITY OF YUMA BE PERMANENTLY ADJUSTED BY $30 MILLION?

SECTION 2: Conduct of Election
The election shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Yuma City Charter, the laws of the State of Arizona, and the procedures of Yuma County for the conduct of the General Election.  Only qualified electors of the City of Yuma who are duly registered shall be eligible to vote.
SECTION 3: Election Administration
The City Administrator, the City Clerk and the City Attorney are hereby authorized and directed to (i) coordinate with the Yuma County Elections Department and to take all actions necessary to place the proposition on the ballot for the November 3, 2026, General Election, and (ii) carry out all related election requirements in accordance with applicable law, including but not limited to preparing and distributing the publicity pamphlet in accordance with A.R.S. §§ 19-141 and 41-563.03(B).  

SECTION 4: Canvass and Reporting of Results
The results of the election shall be canvassed and declared in accordance with applicable law.  If a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposition vote in favor of the Permanent Base Adjustment, the City shall notify the Arizona Auditor General and the Economic Estimates Commission of the approval.

Adopted this ___ day of __________, 2026.

		APPROVED:

		________________________
		Douglas J. Nicholls
		Mayor
			
ATTESTED:

________________________
Janet L. Pierson
City Clerk 


APPROVED AS TO FORM:

________________________
Richard W. Files
City Attorney