2006 Seattle Elections

General Elections Voters' Guide

Chrtr Am 9-Auditor Appointer and Length of Term - Complete Text

A RESOLUTION submitting a proposition to the qualified electors of the City, at an election to be held on November 7, 2006, to amend Section 2 of Article VIII of the Charter of the City of Seattle to change the appointment authority and term of office of the City Auditor; calling on the City Clerk to certify the proposed amendment to the Director of the Department of Records and Elections of King County and requesting and directing such Director to call a special election and submit the proposition to City voters; and providing for the publication of such proposed amendment.

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Article VIII of the City Charter and Section 3.40.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code currently provide that the Chair of the City Council Finance Committee shall appoint the City Auditor, subject to confirmation by a majority of the City Council, and that the term for the City Auditor is six years; and

WHEREAS, the scope of audits conducted by the City Auditor is much broader than just financial audits and therefore it is more appropriate to have a majority of the entire City Council appoint the City Auditor; and

WHEREAS, a term of office of four years for the City Auditor is more consistent with the terms of other City department heads;

WHEREAS, if the voters approve this proposed Charter amendment, then a companion ordinance (C.B. 115643) will take effect to amend the Seattle Municipal Code to be consistent with the Charter amendment; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS

FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Subject to the approval of a proposition by a majority of the qualified electors casting votes thereon, Section 2 of Article VIII of the Charter of the City of Seattle is amended as follows:

ARTICLE VIII. Financial and Clerical

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Section 2. CITY AUDITOR: There shall be a City Auditor who shall examine and verify the accuracy of the accounts and records of the City; inspect the receipt, safekeeping, and disbursement of public funds; and perform such other duties as are prescribed by law. The City Auditor shall have a term of four six years and shall be appointed by the Chair of the Finance Committee, subject to confirmation by a majority of the City Council and may be removed for cause by a majority of the City Council.

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Section 2. The King County Director of Records and Elections, as ex officio supervisor of elections, is hereby requested to call a special election and is directed to submit the charter amendment proposed herein to the qualified electors of the City at the election on November 7, 2006.

Section 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the Director of the Department of Records and Elections of King County as Supervisor of Elections the charter amendment proposed herein in the form of a ballot title prepared by the City Attorney pursuant to RCW 29A.36.071, and shall certify a copy of the proposed Charter amendment, and the same shall be published by the City Clerk in accordance with state law.