An ordinance to provide for four-year overlapping terms concerning the election of the office of Trustees of the Town of Deer Trail and to provide for a four-year term concerning the election of the office of Mayor of the Town of Deer Trail.
Whereas, the Town of Deer Trail, (hereinafter referred to as the "Town"), in the County of Arapahoe and the State of Colorado, is the body corporate operating as a statutory town pursuant to the general statutes of the State of Colorado; and
Whereas, the election of the office of Mayor and Trustees of the Town is presently governed by Colorado Revised Statute, 31 - 4 -301(2) which states at each regular election of the municipality
there shall be elected a mayor and six trustees for terms of two years each; and
Whereas, Colorado Revised Statutes, 31-4-301(5) gives to municipalities, through the Board of Trustees, the necessary authority to provide by Ordinance for four-year overlapping terms for the office of trustees and also provide for a four-year term for the office of Mayor; and
Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the Town, (hereinafter referred to as the "Board") has determined that it would be in the best interests of the Town to provide for the four year over-lapping terms of the Trustees and to increase the term of Mayor to four years as such change would provide for greater continuity in the Board after each election and allow for a more efficient resolution of Town business.
Now, therefore, be it ordained by the Board of Trustees of the Town of Deer Trail, Colorado.
Section I: Overlapping Terms for Trustees.
Commencing upon the next subsequent regular election to be held after the regular election to be held on Tuesday, April 7, 1998, and no sooner than One Hundred Eighty (180) days after the effective date of the passage of this Ordinance, such regular subsequent election of the Town of Deer Trail shall provide for the election of six Trustees. The three candidates for Trustee receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for four-year terms and the three candidates for Trustee receiving the next highest number of votes shall be elected for two-year terms. Thereafter, at each regular election three Trustees shall be elected to serve four-year terms.
Section II: Term for Mayor
Commencing upon the next subsequent regular election to be held after the regular election to be held on Tuesday, April 7, 1998, and no sooner than One Hundred Eighty (180) days after the effective date of the passage of this Ordinance, such regular subsequent election of the Town of Deer Trail shall provide that the candidate receiving the highest number of votes for the Office of Mayor shall serve a four year term. Thereafter, the office of Mayor shall be for a term of four years.
Section III: Validity
If any part or parts of this ordinance are for any reason held to be invalid such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The Board hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance and each part or parts thereof, irrespective of the fact that any part or parts be declared invalid.
Section IV: Repeal
Existing or parts of ordinances covering the same matters as embraced in this ordinance are hereby repealed and all ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section V: Interpretation
This ordinance shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to conform with the State's statutes concerning the Municipal Election Code as set forth in C.R.S. 31-10-101, et. seq.
Section VI: Effective Period
This ordinance shall take effect after public hearing and approval by the Deer Trail Town Board of Trustees and appropriate publication in accordance with statute.
Adopted Approved this 3rd day of March 1998.
Signed, Hugh Johnson, Mayor
Attest: Jessica Staumbaough, Town Clerk