Goodyear residents are invited to participate in an all-mail special election on May 20 to decide on proposed changes to the city charter and various franchise agreements. Voting by mail allows residents to cast their ballots from home, and the results will shape the city's future. The election will address changes to the city charter, which outlines governmental procedures and key principles, including the requirements to serve as mayor or councilmember.
Since its adoption in 1988, the city charter has been amended several times, with the most recent changes occurring in 2021. Now, the recommendations from the Citizen Charter Review Ad-Hoc Committee are presented to voters, who will decide whether to approve or reject them. If passed, these amendments will become permanent elements of the city's governance. Additionally, franchise agreements with utility service providers such as Arizona Public Service and Southwest Gas are under consideration. These agreements regulate the use of public rights-of-way for delivering essential services to the community.
There are six key questions that require the attention of Goodyear voters. As outlined in a recent publication by the City of Goodyear, Question 1 addresses the city council's authority over land use and development regulations; Question 2 revises the process and scope of the Council Compensation Committee; and Question 3 proposes transferring departmental control from the city council to the city manager, within the limits of the approved budget and staffing allocations.
Meanwhile, Question 4 addresses the confirmation of the types of taxes and revenue processes already in use by the city, along with the issuance of bonds. Questions 5 and 6 focus on proposed Franchise Agreements with EPCOR Water Arizona, Inc. and Liberty Utilities, respectively. These agreements would grant the companies the right to use current and future public rights-of-way for water distribution and wastewater services, which are essential for municipal infrastructure and community well-being. EPCOR currently serves areas north of McDowell Road, while Liberty Utilities provides service to regions north of I-10 and east of Cotton Lane.
The special election is approaching, providing Goodyear residents with an opportunity to decide on the processes that will guide the city's future. Information about the upcoming vote, the details of each referendum question, and how these decisions may affect residents can be found on the City of Goodyear's website.
