The 2016 municipal election process officially launched today with candidates able to circulate nomination petitions.
Held on April 5, the election comprises four seats on the seven-member city council. Mayor Karen Sheek and council members Jim Price, Ty Keel and Tom Butler currently hold the posts up for grabs. Only Butler is term-limited and disqualified from seeking re-election.
A candidate must be a registered voter, 21 years old and a city resident for 12 consecutive months preceding the election.
Nomination petitions must include 25 signatures of registered voters living within city limits. A declaration of candidacy form is due Jan. 15, and all nomination petitions are due Jan. 25.
Voters must be 18 years old, a resident of the United States and city resident for 22 days before the election.
The three candidates receiving the highest number of votes will each serve four-year terms. The fourth candidate receiving the next highest number of votes will serve a two-year term.
The mayor and mayor pro-tem are chosen by the city council after the newly elected members are sworn in on April 26.
All candidate contributions and expenditures must be filed and comply with the Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA). A copy of the FCPA is included in the election packet, which is available at City Hall.
Council members are paid $400 per month. The mayor receives $500.
Current council members Bob Archibeque, Shawna McLaughlin and Orly Lucero will remain in office through 2018.
For more, contact the City Clerk at 970-564-4008.