(A) The Town Council did adopt Resolution No. 2006-02 on February 14, 2006 in response to a public petition conforming to I.C. 36-4-1.5-2 and I.C. 3-10-9 with the petition supporting the proposition that the Town of Austin shall become the City of Austin. The Town Council adopted a resolution to put forth on a referendum election at the primary election held May 2, 2006, the question of whether the Town of Austin should be changed to a city.
(B) The voters of the Town of Austin did vote in a greater than 50% majority in the election held May 2, 2006, to become a city.
(C) The Indiana State Legislature enacted authority for a town to become a city in I.C. 36-4-1.5 et seq. and I.C. 3-10-9 et seq.
(D) It is the intent of the Town of Austin that said Town of Austin shall become the City of Austin, Indiana on January 1, 2008.
(E) Be it ordained, that in compliance with I.C. 36-4-1.5-3 et seq. the Town Council ordains and adopts this transition.
(1) The Town of Austin shall be divided into three precincts known as Precinct One, Precinct Two, and Precinct Three which precincts shall be described by metes and bounds on exhibit “A” to Ordinance No. 2007-01.
(2) This section authorizes the town and the County Clerk to cause the election of five City Council persons, with three of said City Council persons to run and be elected representing each of the three geographical precincts and the remaining two City Council persons running as at large City Council persons. The three City Council persons representing each precinct must reside in the geographic district of their precinct. Only the voters residing in each precinct shall be allowed to vote and elect a City Council person for that precinct. The two at large City Council persons shall be the person with the highest vote and second highest vote for at large Council persons. No persons shall be allowed to run for election for both a Precinct City Council position and an at large City Council position.
(3) The Town of Austin authorizes the election of a Mayor. The Mayor shall serve for a four-year term.
(4) The City Council Persons shall serve for a four-year term.
(5) The Town Council does hereby authorize the town and the County Clerk to place on the primary election and general election the office of Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Austin, Indiana for a four-year term.
(6) All voters shall vote for candidates for Mayor, at large City Council, and Clerk-Treasurer. Only the voters residing in each precinct shall be allowed to vote and elect a City Council person for that precinct.
(7) All existing Town of Austin ordinances, resolutions, codes of conduct, and rules shall continue to be in full force and effect until amended.
(Ord. 2007-01, passed 1-22-2007)