Castle Rock

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Rock,_Colorado

2017 Election

Council seats are up in April 2018, however, there is a ballot measure that will be up for vote for a Special Election on November 7th, 2017.

Ballot Measure

Deciding to change the Town Charter in how Mayor is elected. Currently the Mayor is voted by the Town Council. Castle Rock voters will decide whether or not to elect the Mayor directly among the constituents. (Information Packet)

The Ballot language is written as follows:

"TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK BALLOT QUESTION - CASTLE ROCK CHARTER AMENDMENT

SHALL THE TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK HOME RULE CHARTER BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL, THE SEVEN-MEMBER GOVERNING BODY OF THE TOWN, CONSIST OF A MAYOR ELECTED BY ALL OF THE ELECTORS OF THE TOWN FOR A FOUR-YEAR TERM, WITH THE MAYOR'S SERVICE LIMITED TO TWO FOUR-YEAR TERMS, AND SIX COUNCILMEMBERS WHO ARE ELECTED FOR FOUR-YEAR TERMS BY THE ELECTORS OF THE DISTRICT WHERE EACH COUNCILMEMBER RESIDES?"

The Charter Amendment language is as follows:

[Awaiting language]

Arguments For

(Quoted from the Information Packet)

• Residents currently have no direct input on the selection of the Mayor by the Town Council.
• Every voter will have the opportunity to vote for one Councilmember and the Mayor. This may increase

a resident’s voice in Town Council and Town issues.

• The elected Mayor will have the same powers and responsibilities as the Mayor selected by Town Council.

That means the general function of Town Council will remain the same.

• The other three municipalities in Douglas County elect a Mayor by vote of the people. By Castle Rock electing

a Mayor, the Mayor may have more presence with regional issues and associations across Colorado.

Arguments Against

(Quoted from the Information Packet)

• With the election of the Mayor, the district where the Mayor resides will have two residents of that district

on Council – a Councilmember and the Mayor. This could give one district a greater voice in Town issues.

• For nearly 30 years, a Town Council consisting of seven Councilmembers with one member selected by

the Council as Mayor has, in the opinion of many residents, served the Town well.

• The Charter Amendment does not detail the transition from seven to six Councilmembers and a Mayor.

This will likely necessitate a subsequent special election with additional election expense.

• Although the powers of the Mayor will not increase with the Charter amendment, some may perceive

the changes as an increased concentration of power in the Mayor position rather than all members of Council having the same power.

Results

Mayor will now be elected at-large by the voters of the town of Castle Rock.

• Yes - 67.40%
• No - 32.60%