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1. What is a city charter?

A city charter is like a constitution that outlines the principles, structures and process of government. It is a legal document that defines an organization, as well as its powers, functions and essential procedures. Like constitutions at federal and state governments, the City of Beaverton has a charter that describes the roles and powers of the Mayor, City Council and city officers, as well as the basic framework for how the city conducts business.

2. When was the existing city charter last adopted?

Beaverton’s existing charter was approved by voters in November 1980. It was amended once in 2008 when voters changed a section relating to urban renewal.

3. How does the city charter get changed?

It gets changed by Beaverton voters. The City Council can initiate discussions and pass a resolution to refer a proposed charter to Beaverton voters for consideration, but Beaverton voters must approve the changes at an election.

4. Will there be a public vote?

Yes, the Beaverton City Council referred the proposed city charter to Beaverton voters for the May 19, 2020, primary election.

5. If approved by voters, when would the new charter take effect?

If approved, the proposed charter would become operative on January 1, 2021.

6. What happens if the proposed city charter does not pass?

Nothing. The city would continue to operate as it does under the existing charter, none of the charter changes described would occur, and there would be no fiscal impact.

7. If the measure passes, what would be the cost to tax payers?

The financial impact under the proposed charter would be approximately $42,000, if the measure passes, because it would replace or modify existing positions included in the city’s current charter. For example, the cost of adding a new city Councilor position would be available from a redistribution of the Mayor’s existing salary to a new councilor position. The cost would paid by the City’s general fund through an existing revenue stream.

8. Why was the city charter referred to voters for consideration?

Cities periodically review their charters to update the charter in various ways. The Beaverton City Council began a series of discussions in fall 2019 regarding potential changes to the city’s existing charter. Discussions and public hearings on the topic occurred during public meetings.

9. What would the proposed city charter do?

If the measure passes, the proposed city charter would outline details related to the city’s form of government, term limits and language preferences. These would include:

• The City Council would appoint a full-time City Manager for an indefinite term to oversee the city’s day-to-day operations. The City Manager would be an at-will
  employee who could be fired by a majority of the elected officials, consistent with local laws and their employment agreement. The city manager would not be an elected position.
• The City Council would increase from five members to include seven members: six part-time City Councilors and one full-time Mayor with voting privileges. The City Council would serve as the city’s governing body and be responsible for the city’s legislative functions. In addition to serving on the City Council, the Mayor would serve as the chief elected official.
• All City Council positions would be nonpartisan and elected at-large by Beaverton voters.
• The City Councilors and the Mayor would be limited to three consecutive four-year terms in office for their respective positions. A councilor or mayor who reached the three-term limit would be allowed to run again for election to the same office only after a break in service. The term limit does not prevent a term-limited mayor from running for election as a councilor, or a term-limited councilor from running for election as mayor.
• The new charter would remove gender-exclusive references.
• The mayor or a councilor could be removed from office for unethical or criminal conduct.
• The City’s indebtedness would not be allowed to exceed debt limits imposed by state law.
• A public hearing before the council would be required to adopt any ordinance.

10. If the measure passes, would the position of mayor remain a full-time position?

Yes.

11. If the measure passes, would councilor positions remain part-time positions?

Yes.

12. What are the basic forms of government utilized by other Oregon cities?

Most Oregon cities are one of four basic forms of government. These include:

• Mayor/Council. Typical for smaller Oregon cities in which the legislative and policymaking body is through a popularly-elected Mayor and City Council.
• Commission. Elected commissioners function collectively as the City Council and serve as administrators of city departments. Portland is the only city in Oregon with this form of government.
• Strong-Mayor. The Mayor, serving as the chief executive officer, has the authority to appoint city staff, is responsible for city administration and serves as the presiding officer at council meetings. Beaverton is the only city in Oregon with this form of government.
• Council/Manager. Typical for Oregon cities with populations more than 2,500, in which the City Council hires a Chief Executive Officer to be responsible for the daily supervision of city affairs.

13. Was there a public process to receive input from Beaverton voters?

Yes, the City Council discussed the proposed Charter during public meetings. Between September 2019 and February 2020, there were nine work sessions, as well as two public hearings on this topic.

14. How can Beaverton voters and community members get information about the proposed city charter?

The City of Beaverton will provide information on the proposed charter to the community. A dedicated web page at www.BeavertonOregon.gov/Charter will be a source of information and will list upcoming activities.