City of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa - ORDINANCE NO. 758

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CHARTER AND CHAPTERS 2 AND 15 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SERGEANT BLUFF, WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA TO ADJUST THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR MAYOR FOR ONE TERM 

WHEREAS, in the City of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, the Mayor and Council are elected to a term of four years; and 

WHEREAS, the terms of office for Council are staggered and overlapping so that at each City election there will be either two or three Council positions on the ballot; and 

WHEREAS, at present, the Mayor’s term of office is on the City election ballot at the same time and election cycle as three Council positions; and 

WHEREAS, this has resulted in four elected City officer positions being on the ballot every other City election with only two elected City officer positions on the ballot in the alternating City election years; and 

WHEREAS, this imbalance creates a potential for greater turnover in City elected offices every other City election cycle; and 

WHEREAS, at the next City election in November of 2025, there will be three Council terms and the Mayor’s term on the ballot; and 

WHEREAS, in order to equalize the elected City officer positions on the ballot and the potential for turnover for each City election, to provide for a more balanced transition and succession of elected City offices, the Mayor’s term of office on the ballot shall be modified for one term to a two year term in office beginning January 2026 and then returning to a four year term going forward beginning January 2028.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, that:

SECTION 1.  SECTION MODIFIED. The City’s Charter, as adopted by ordinance in Chapter 2 of the Sergeant Bluff Code of Ordinances, is amended by repealing and adopting in lieu thereof, the appliable provisions of the City Charter and Section 2.05 of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances:

2.05 TERM OF MAYOR. The Mayor is elected for a term of four years, except that the Mayor shall be elected for a term of two years beginning January 2026 at the City election in November of 2025 to adjust the overlapping terms for elected City officers. Thereafter, the Mayor shall be elected for a term of four years, beginning with the City election in November of 2027, so that no more than three terms of elected City offices will be on the ballot, with three Council members overlapping terms of the Mayor and two Council members in every other City election.  

SECTION 2.  SECTION MODIFIED. Chapter 15, Section 15.01 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, is repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof:

15.01 TERM OF OFFICE. The Mayor is elected for a term of four years, except that the Mayor shall be elected for a term of two years beginning January 2026 at the City election in November of 2025 to adjust the overlapping terms for elected City officers. Thereafter, the Mayor shall be elected for a term of four years, beginning with the City election in November of 2027, so that no more than three terms of elected City offices will be on the ballot, with three Council members overlapping terms of the Mayor and two Council members in every other City election.  

SECTION 3.  REPEALER. All ordinances of parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed. In all other respects, the Code of Ordinances City of Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County, Iowa shall remain in effect.  

SECTION 4.  SEVERABILITY. If any section, provision or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.  

SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This ordinance shall be in effect from and after its final passage, approval, and publication as provided by law.  

MAYOR or MAYOR PRO TEM

Attest:

City Clerk

First Reading:  11/26/2024Vote for passage:  5-0

Second Reading: 12/10/2024Vote for passage:  5-0

Third Reading: 12/23/2024Vote for passage: 5-0

Passed, Approved, and Adopted.

I, Danny Christoffers, City Clerk, certify that the foregoing was published as Ordinance No. 758 on the 2nd day of January, 2025.

CITY CLERK