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July 31, 2025
City Charter Amendment
Resident Advisory
Committee
Committee Charge
Ordinance No. 5132
» A 2025 City Charter Amendment Resident Advisory
Committee shall be formed to make recommendations to
the Council on potential charter amendments to be
considered for referral to the voters.
» The 2025 City Charter Amendment Resident Advisory
Committee shall sunset on November 3, 2026.
Charter Overview
•
The City Charter is Chandler’s governing
document—our local constitution.
•
Clear, updated Charter language promotes
transparency, fairness, and trust in government.
•
Periodic review of the City Charter ensures it
remains relevant and reflects the community’s
needs and evolving best practices in municipal
governance.
Charter Overview
A city charter defines the organization, powers, functions and essential procedures of the
city government and serves as the organic law of the city
Arizona Constitution, Article 13 § 2
“Any city containing a population of more than 3,500 may frame a charter for its own
government consistent with, and subject to, the Constitution and the laws of the state…”
“May be amended by amendments proposed and submitted by the legislative authority of
the city to the qualified electors thereof…at a general or special election and ratified by a
majority of the qualified electors voting thereon…”
Charter Overview
• Charters and charter
amendments take effect upon
certification of election
results and approval by the
Governor
• Charter cities can be
preempted by state law in the
same manner as general law
cities if the legislature finds an
issue to be of statewide
concern
Arizona Charter Cities
AVONDALE
BISBEE
FLAGSTAFF
GLENDALE
GOODYEAR
MESA
NOGALES
PEORIA
PHOENIX
PRESCOTT
SCOTTSDALE
TEMPE
TUCSON
WINSLOW
YUMA
CASA GRANDE
CHANDLER
DOUGLAS
HOLBROOK
LITCHFIELD PARK
Charter Overview
• Chandler voters first approved the City Charter in 1965
• Chandler’s Charter was last amended in 2015
• City Council has referred two Charter amendments to the ballot in a
Charter Amendment Election to be held on Nov. 4, 2025.
Proposition 410 would amend Article II, Section 2.01 of the Chandler City
Charter regarding the eligibility of a person to serve terms in the offices of
councilmember and mayor.
Proposition 411 would amend Article III, Sections 3.01 and 3.02 of the
Chandler City Charter regarding the appointment and removal of the city
manager.
1. Powers of the City
2. City Council
3. City Manager
4. Administrative Departments
5. Finance and Taxation
6. Boards and Commissions
7. Nominations and Elections
8. Initiative, Referendum, and Recall
9. General Provisions
10. Succession in Government
Charter Overview
Potential Charter Amendments
Section
Subject
Current Language
Potential Revision
2.02
Compensation and
expenses
Increase in compensation shall not become
effective until after the next election
following the creation of the ordinance
provided the election follows the adoption by
at least 6 months
• Increase becomes
effective following the
next election
2.05.a.1
Holding other office
Resign when take out nomination papers or
105 days before primary
• Remove 105 days
• Filing of nomination
papers, rather than takes
out
• Make consistent with
A.R.S. §§ 16-311(A) and
38-296(B)
2.06.c
Filling of vacancies
30 days to fill vacancy. Special election to be
•
Expand time for filling
vacancy
Potential Charter Amendments
Section
Subject
Current Language
Potential Revision
2.08
Ordinance to create
administrative
offices and
departments
Requires Council to provide for the
organization, conduct, and operation of city
agencies, departments, divisions, and offices
by ordinance
•
Authorize city manager
to provide based on
necessity of operations
2.12.a
Meetings
Council must meet regularly twice per month
•
Require Council to meet
at least once a month
2.13.a
Action requiring
ordinance
Ordinance to establish, alter or abolish any
city department, office or agency
•
Eliminate ordinance
requirement
•
Within authority of city
manager based on
necessity of operations
Potential Charter Amendments
Section
Subject
Current Language
Potential Revision
2.13.l
Action requiring
ordinance
Ordinance to establish or change fire limits
•
Eliminate ordinance
requirement
•
Within authority of city
manager
2.13.g
Action requiring
ordinance
Lease of city lands for period of 3 years or
more
•
Eliminate ordinance
requirement
•
Within authority of city
manager
2.15
Procedure for
adopting ordinances
Intro, publication, final publication
•
Streamline into one
action, one publication
7.01
City Elections
Fall of even numbered years
•
Consolidated election
dates
9.03
Residence
Requirements
City manager and all Department heads
•
Appointed offices
Election
Timelines
August 4, 2026
Primary/Special Election
2/5/26
Council Meeting to Call Election
Deadline to Notify County
3/7/26
Ballot Language
Due to County
8/4/26
Election
2/5/26
Council Meeting to Call Election
&
Deadline to Notify County
3/7/26
Ballot Language Due
to County
8/4/26
Election
November 3, 2026
General/Special Election
2/5/26
Council Meeting to Call Election
Deadline to Notify County
3/7/26
Ballot Language
Due to County
8/4/26
Election
5/7/26
Council Meeting to Call Election
&
Deadline to Notify County
6/6/26
Ballot Language Due
to County
11/3/26
Election
Thank you!