In a low voter turn out, although typical, Sulphur residents boldly opposed all four charter proposition changes in a special election held last Tuesday.
Approximately 252 of the 2,508 registered city voters (10%) voted on the measures All four propositions were listed separately on the ballot. As in past municipal/council elections, voter turn out was low. Proposition Number 1, addressing the charter requirement of the city manager living within the city limits, was defeated by a vote of Yes-106; No-146.
Proposition Number 2 on the ballot, which did not reflect what was actually being voted on, would have removed the competitive bidding article completely out of the charter. The measure was defeated by a vote of Yes-83; No-159.
Proposition Numbers 3 would have added an article requiring any recall petitions be affixed with the warning language set forth by state statutes that notifies anyone signing a recall petition that it is a crime to sign the name of another person, sign multiple times or sign if not a legal voter of the state. The vote was Yes-92; No-159.
Proposition Number 4 would have removed the wording from the current charter that reads in part the Mayor shall sign all warrants, checks or other orders for the disbursement of money. It was soundly defeated by a vote of Yes-66; No-186.
Since all four propositions were defeated, the Sulphur City Charter will remain the same as has been since the last amendments were approved in 1997.
The total cost to the City of Sulphur for the special election was approximately $7,000.00.
The October 16 election date was for municipal and school propositions only, according to the State Election Board website. It appears on the website, that low voter turnout was recorded statewide.
Proposition 1
City Manager Residency Requirement
Yes.......................................... 106 (42.06%) No........................................... 146 (57.94%)
Proposition 2
Removes Competitive Bidding Requirement Yes............................................ 83 (34.30%) No........................................... 159 (65.70%)
Proposition 3
Changes Recall Petition Requirements
Yes............................................ 92 (34.30%) No........................................... 159 (63.35%)
Proposition 4
Removes Mayor As Signor On City Warrants Yes............................................ 66 (26.19%) No........................................... 186 (73.81%)
