A CHARTER ORDINANCE REPEALING CHARTER ORDINANCE NO. 7, AMENDING REFERENCES SPECIFICALLY TO COUNCIL MEMBERS TERMS OF OFFICE, BUT RETAINING THOSE PROVISIONS THAT REGULATE THE ELECTION, THE APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS, AND PROVIDING PROVISIONS FOR VACANCIES ON THE SAME SUBJECTS.

WHEREAS, K.S.A. 25-2120 allows for cities to determine the date for beginning a term of office between December 1 and the second Monday in January following certification of the election. For those cities that have not chosen an alternative date, terms of office begin the second Monday in January; and

WHEREAS, K.S.A. 15-201 applies to the City of The Highlands as related to the length of terms for council members or appointees; and

WHEREAS, the governing body of the City of The Highlands is listening to the voices of its citizens requesting a change from a four-year term to a two-year term of office for council members.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF THE HIGHLANDS, KANSAS:

SECTION 1. The governing body shall consist of a mayor and five council members. The mayor and council members shall be residents and qualified electors of the City of The Highlands, Kansas.

SECTION 2. Election of Officers: Every two years an election shall be held for a mayor, and five council members (K.S.A. 15-201). The mayor and council members shall hold their offices for two years and until their successors are elected and qualified.

SECTION 3. Nothing in this ordinance shall prevent any official from serving multiple terms if so determined by the electors in a general election. The start of terms may be regulated by city resolution but shall be subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 25-2120.

(a)   Should a vacancy in a seat of the City Council occur by means of resignation, death, health concerns, being relocated from the City of The Highlands, or removal from office, a resident shall be impartially and without favoritism be nominated by the mayor. Upon a majority vote of approval by the City Council, the appointee shall hold that office for the remainder of the original term of the person that created the vacancy (K.S.A. 15-201).

(b)   Should a vacancy in the Office of Mayor occur, the President of the Council shall fill that position and remaining original term of the mayor. A vacancy in the Council shall have been created and the office filled according to the provisions herein (K.S.A. 15-201).

SECTION 4. Terms of all appointed committee members or officials shall be for one year as determined by city resolution or otherwise by city ordinance.

SECTION 5. All elections for the City of The Highlands, Kansas shall be nonpartisan.

(05-13-2024)