2015 Arkansas Code
Title 14 - Local Government
Subtitle 3 - Municipal Government
Chapter 61 - City Manager Enabling Act of 1989
§ 14-61-115 - Initial organization as a management form of government.

(a) A city affected by this chapter that has not yet held an election on petitions calling for an election to adopt the management form of government shall submit at a special election a ballot that addresses the following questions:

(1) Whether to adopt the management form of government;

(2) Which option to follow for the selection of members of the board of directors, the number of directors, and whether to directly elect the mayor.

(b) At the special election on the question of whether to adopt the management form of government, the ballot shall contain substantially the following question:

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(c) In the area of the ballot immediately below the questions set forth in subsection (a) of this section one (1) of the following explanations will be provided:

(1) For options where all directors are elected at large:

(A) A city manager government with a (number) member board of directors elected at large. The mayor shall be selected from among the directors; or

(B) A city manager government with a (number) member board of directors elected at large. The mayor shall be directly elected.

(2) For options where a majority of directors are elected from wards and the remaining directors are elected at large:

(A) A city manager government with (majority plus one) members of the board of directors from wards and (remaining number) members of the board of directors at-large. The mayor shall be selected from among the directors.

(B) A city manager government with (majority plus one) members of the board of directors from wards and (remaining number) members of the board of directors at-large. The mayor shall be directly elected.

(3) For options where all members of the board of directors are elected from wards, but the mayor is elected at large:

(A) A city manager government with a (number) member board of directors all elected from wards. The mayor shall be directly elected at large.

(B) If and only if a city affected by this chapter votes on an option under this subsection, then the following question shall also appear on the ballot:

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(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the vote pursuant to this subdivision to provide the mayor with a veto power is unsuccessful, the issue shall not be submitted again for a period of two (2) years after the date of the certification of the unsuccessful election.

(d) If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of the proposition of adopting the management form of government, then the city shall organize under the management form of government in accordance with the options selected.