Charter Revision Presentation

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2025-10-15)

View PDF Meeting page

Extracted text (via pymupdf) 4034 characters
Ryan Peters
Deputy City Manager
City Charter Amendment 
Resident Advisory Committee 
October 15, 2025

Agenda
Review of Draft Revision Language for Articles III-X
 
•Article III. City Manager
 
•Article IV. Administrative Departments
 
•Article V. Finance and Taxation
 
•Article VI. Boards and Commissions
 
•Article VII. Nominations and Elections
 
•Article VIII. Initiative, Referendum and Recall​
 
•Article IX. General Provisions​
 
•Article X. Succession in Government
Charter Revision Proposals by Individual Committee Members
Public Comment

Article III. City Manager 
•
Clarifies that the city manager serves at the pleasure 
of the Council*
•
Revises removal provisions to clarify severance terms 
upon termination, subject to agreement between the 
Council and city manager*
•
Modernizes and clarifies acting city manager section 
& powers and duties section by :
•
Using gender-neutral language throughout
•
Standardizing phrasing for consistency
* Amendment proposed on November 4, 2025 ballot.

Article IV. Administrative Departments
• Clarifies that functions assigned by charter cannot be 
reassigned unless specifically authorized 
• Requires city manager approval of substitutes 
designated to serve during department head 
absences
• Clarifies that Council appointees are excluded from 
the merit system, while all other appointments and 
promotions must be based solely on merit and 
fitness 
• Specifies that the city manager appoints the 
personnel officer
• Revises personnel rules process to require 
preparation by the personnel officer, review by the 
city manager, and potential adoption by the Council 
• Updates strike/work interruption section with 
gender-neutral language

Article V. Finance and Taxation
• Updates city manager provisions to use gender-
neutral language 
• Requires forecasted capital program notice to be 
published electronically as well
• Updates audit provisions with gender-neutral 
language, referring to “the auditor” instead of “he” 
• Clarifies that the city manager revises 
departmental budgets during the year as needed 
or when appropriations change

Article VI . Boards and Commissions
• Revises language for grammar

Article VII. Nominations and Elections
• Makes technical, clarifying, and formatting changes 
throughout
• Updates provisions to use gender-neutral language 
for candidates and electors 
• Clarifies that in the event of a tie, all tied candidates 
advance to the regular election 
• Revises ballot language provisions to specify that 
electors may vote by marking an “X”

Article VIII. Initiative, Referendum, and Recall
• Updates language to be gender-neutral and clearer

Article IX. General Provisions
• Updates provisions to use gender-neutral and 
modernized language for clarity and consistency
• Expands anti-discrimination protections to also 
include gender, religion, political affiliation, and 
other protected statuses
• Clarifies penalties by specifying violations are 
misdemeanors punishable as provided by ordinance
• Updates residency requirements to require the city 
manager to establish residency within the city within 
six months of appointment, and requires all other 
city employees to reside within a reasonable 
distance

Article X. Succession in Government
• Removes obsolete provisions on continuance of 
officers, offices/departments, boards & 
commissions, records, pending matters, and 
inauguration of government (Sections 10.02–10.06 
and 10.08) due to redundancy with previous 
articles
• Updates language throughout for clarity, grammar, 
and consistency with state law

Committee Review and Recommendation Process
Committee Reviewed Charter
&
Identified Opportunities to Revise
Committee Consensus on 
Proposed Charter Revisions 
Committee Directed Staff to Prepare 
Draft Charter Amendment Language 
for Consideration by Committee
Committee Makes Recommendations 
to Council on Proposed Charter 
Amendments

•
Set Next Meeting Date
•
Charter Revision Proposals by 
Individual Committee Members

Questions?
Thank you!