§ 2-19. Referenda on ordinances.

(a)

All referendum petitions under Amendment 7 to the state constitution must be filed with the city clerk-treasurer within 40 days after the passage of such ordinances.

(b)

Whenever any referendum petition is filed, the city council shall give notice by publication for one insertion of a time not less than five days after the publication of such notice at which it will hear all persons who wish to be heard on the question whether such petition is signed by the requisite number of petitioners. At the time named, the city council shall meet and hear all who wish to be heard on the question, and its decision shall be final, unless suit is brought in the chancery court of the county within 30 days to review its action.

(c)

If the city council finds that such petition is signed by the requisite number of petitioners, it may order a special election or place the question on the ballot at the next municipal general election to determine by a vote of the qualified electors whether the ordinance shall stand or be revoked. The date for a special election shall be not less than ten days after the order thereon has been named by the council, and such special elections shall be had and conducted as general municipal elections held in the city.

(d)

If any ordinance referred to the people is defeated at the polls, the city council shall make note of such fact on such ordinance.

(Code 1992, § 2-1; Ord. No. 154, §§ 1, 4, 5-4-1976)

State law reference

Referral to electors, A.C.A. § 14-55-301 et seq.