First the definitions;
An advisory question is a type of ballot measure that is non-binding, meaning the outcome of the ballot measure has no legal effect on a state’s laws. This type of ballot measure is also known as an advisory referendum, advisory vote, or non-binding ballot measure.
A Bond Election is a type of ballot measure in which voters decide whether to authorize a local government to issue bonds to pay for specific projects or services. It is typically used to fund public works projects such as roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The money raised by the bond issue is usually repaid by raising taxes or other revenue sources. Bond elections are often held in conjunction with other elections, such as municipal or county elections.
We had an advisory election with the Events Center. After citizens voted 54% in favor of building the Denty the city council had to take LEGAL action to take out the bonds, in which they did.
If the election was an actual ‘bond election’ it would have taken a 60% passage to pull the bonds, and since this is a LEGAL election, there would be very little action from the city council to initiate those bonds because the citizens LEGALLY approved the bonds in a LEGAL election.
I am often saying that an advisory vote is actually ILLEGAL because NO LEGAL action is being taken by the public in an election. I have encouraged councilors to have a LEGAL bond election with the Rec bonds and CC bonds. First it makes their job that much easier and secondly you are giving citizens the ability to tax themselves if they choose to (we will need an extra penny sales tax in order for the bonds on the CC to work).
If the city pulls an advisory election on the CC, I encourage any local attorney to sue the city for their ILLEGAL election.
Very well done Scott. This is very educational and informative. The “City” likes to confuse the residents by doing things such as this. Advisory Elections should be used for things like the Brockhouse Taxidermy aka the Delbridge, advising the City Council on what they like to do with the community asset. For things such as raising revenue aka Bonds should always be done by Bond Elections, and as per state law, 60% of the voters should be the threshold. Problem to this is, most city elections are low voter turnouts, so typically 25% of the total residents vote yes or no. However, thanks to “Consent Laws” – the residents can actually refer it back to a second public vote, let alone challenge it in court of law if they do not consent. Thanks to the “consent rule” it gives the people basically 2 readings of such ‘act’.
Well, an advisory election is kind of like those agendas that our city boards have, where it is actually mentioned on those agendas how they want the board members to vote, while a bond election is an illusive election with a James Bond quality to it, where it is is done with a touch of espionage, hidden agendas, and with a secretive, executive session approach. #MyNameIsAdvisory #JamesAdvisory #MarkYourXHere #BondGirl #AdvisoryGirl