Ordinances, Elections and Annexations

We write and review ordinances and resolutions and the codes that collect them, and we advise special districts on the rules and rates they adopt.

For elections, we write the ballot titles and explanatory statements for the measures a public body refers to its voters, including tax levies, bonds and charter amendments. We advise on the election calendar and on initiatives and referenda brought by voters.

We handle annexations of land to a city and district boundary changes, from the petition through the final order and the filings that follow.

Services we provide

• Ordinances, resolutions and codes
• District rules and rates
• Ballot titles and explanatory statements
• Levies, bonds and charter amendments
• Annexations and district boundary changes

Statutes and rules

• ORS chapter 221, Organization and Government of Citiesthe city's ordinance power under its charter.
• ORS chapter 250, Initiative and Referendumthe measures a public body refers to its voters and the initiatives and referenda the voters bring, with the ballot title rules.
• ORS chapters 254 and 255, Electionsthe conduct of elections generally (254) and special district elections (255).
• ORS chapter 222, City Boundary Changes; Mergers; Consolidationsannexation of land to a city, and the consents and elections it requires.
• Oregon Constitution, Article XI, section 11the property tax limits a levy or a bond measure must be written within.

Resources

• Oregon Secretary of State, Elections Divisionthe election manuals and calendars for local measures and candidates.