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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVoter Education 2012 Elections OP t ' G IM 4 continue serving on a different board or commission without the need to take a one year break in service. County of Kauai Charter Review Commission RELATING TO SECTION 1.03 - THE ELECTION OF COUNTY OFFICERS 4444 Rice Street, Suite 150 "Should a candidate for county council be required to run in the general election Li-hu`e, Hawaii 96766 even though the candidate received at least thirty percent of the votes cast in the primary election? Vote YES or NO EXPLANATION OF COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS PROPOSED IN THE 2012 GENERAL ELECTION Background: The charter currently states that any council candidate who receives at least thirty percent of the votes cast in the primary Proposed by the Charter Review Commission election shall be duly elected to office and shall not be required to run in the general election. RELATING TO SECTION 7.03 - THE MAYOR'S COMPENSATION Explanation: The Charter Review Commission does not agree that a "Should the mayor's salary be established by the Salary Commission?" candidate receiving thirty percent of the votes cast in the primary Vote YES or NO election shall be automatically elected, and instead believes that the candidate should be required to run in the general election. Background: The charter states that the mayor's salary is to be set by the council in Section 7.03 while simultaneously providing that the RELATING TO SECTION 22.03 - SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR mayor's salary is to be set by the Salary Commission in Section 29.01. INTIATIVES AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS "Should it be clarified that an initiative or referendum petition must be signed by Explanation: The proposed amendment will update Section 7.03 to registered voters comprising the established percentage of the number of voters confirm the current practice whereby the mayor's salary is established registered in the last election?" Vote YES or NO by the Salary Commission in accordance with Article XXIX of the charter. Background: The charter is unclear as to whether or not a signatory to a petition for an initiative or referendum must be a registered voter. RELATING TO SECTION 23.02 (H) - COUNTY BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBER TERMS Explanation: This proposed amendment would clarify that initiative and "Should a county board or commission member whose term is ending be allowed to referendum petitions must be signed by registered voters comprising a certain serve on a different county board or commission without being required to wait one percentage of voters registered in the last general election. year?" Vote YES or NO RELATING TO SECTION 24.01 - SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR Background: County board and commission members are prohibited CHARTER AMENDMENTS from serving more than two consecutive terms on the same or different "Should it be clarified that a petition for a charter amendment must be signed by board or commission unless they take a one year break from serving. registered voters comprising the established percentage of the number of voters registered in the last election?" Vote YES or NO Explanation: This restriction discourages qualified individuals from continuing to volunteer and use their acquired experience and knowledge in Background: The charter is unclear as to whether or not a signatory to other areas of interest that may be beneficial to the county. The purpose of a petition for a charter amendment must be a registered voter. this amendment is to allow a county board or commission member to Explanation: This proposed amendment would clarify that charter describe the mayor's suggested modifications to the proposed annual budget amendment petitions must be signed by registered voters comprising a certain and the reasoning justifying such modifications. percentage of voters registered in the last general election. Explanation: If approved, this amendment would remove the mayor's RELATING TO SECTION 29.03 - SALARY COMMISSION opportunity to submit suggested budget modifications to the mayor's "Should the Salary Commission establish maximum salaries for officers, which proposed annual budget before the council enacts the annual budget. shall include the Prosecuting Attorney and all deputies, and allow for elected officers to accept salaries lower than the maximum?" Vote YES or NO Pros: • It would allow for a more deliberate annual budget setting process. The council Background: The charter currently does not allow for an elected official would have more time to review, consider, and research the various items to accept a salary lower than that established by the Salary proposed by the mayor in the annual budget submittal. Commission. • It will increase the time the council has to review, consider, and research the proposed annual budget without having modifications which could Explanation: This proposed amendment would allow elected officials to substantially change the original budget submittal (from the mayor). accept a salary lower than that established by the Salary Commission. . The mayor's annual budget submittal would be the only official opportunity for the mayor to provide a recommended budget. RELATING TO SECTION 29.05 - SALARY COMMISSION "Should the waiting period be eliminated before the council's salary changes Cons: become effective?" Vote YES or NO • The county council would not be required to consider any suggested budget modifications proposed by the mayor. Background: The charter currently requires that a salary increase for . It will preclude the mayor from suggesting budget modifications should there be councilmembers be delayed until after the next election, so that any changes to the county's fiscal situation (i.e., should the state legislature councilmembers could not increase their own salaries while in office. enact legislation which reduces county fiscal allocations - Transient Accommodation Tax allocations, etc.) or enact legislation which places Explanation: The Charter Review Commission feels this provision is no longer additional fiscal requirements on the county. necessary because the charter now gives the Salary Commission the authority The mayor's annual budget submittal would be the only official opportunity for to set councilmembers' salaries. the mayor to provide a recommended budget. Proposed by the County Council RELATING TO SECTIONS 19.02 AND 19.07 - BUDGET PROCEDURES "Shall the provisions be deleted that allow the mayor, after submitting the proposed annual budget, to submit suggested budget modifications before the council enacts the annual budget?" Vote YES or NO Background: Currently, Section 19.02, Article XIX, of the Kauai County For complete information or copies on Charter Amendment proposals,please go to Charter states that the mayor may submit one communication to the www.kauai.gov/boardsandcommissions and click on "Charter Review Commission" or council which suggests modifications to the proposed annual budget contact the Office of Boards and Commissions at 241-4919 or the Elections Division at 241- ordinance that the mayor previously submitted. This communication shall 4800 or TTY at 241-5116,Monday-Friday,between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.