Section 79. Compulsory referendum of certain measures - franchises.

   No ordinance or resolution for a public improvement requiring or authorizing the expenditure of more than fifteen percent (15%) of the average gross annual current operating expenditures by the City for the five (5) fiscal years immediately preceding, or for the granting of a general public utility franchise, shall be effective until the same shall be approved by a majority vote of the electors voting thereon; provided, however, no convention center, exhibit hall, sports arena, or municipal theater, other than a sports arena located in the City's Marina District, being the area bounded by the Maumee River, Interstate Highway 280, Front Street and Main Street, shall be constructed, acquired, or leased unless the ordinance or resolution authorizing construction bidding, acquisition, or leasing shall have been approved by a majority vote of the electors voting thereon, whether or not such ordinance or resolution requires or authorizes the expenditure of more or less than fifteen percent (15%) of the average gross annual current operating expenditures by the City for the five (5) fiscal years immediately preceding. A general public utility is one in which all the people of the City may have an interest.

(Amended by electors 9-11-01)

Section 80. Duty of Clerk to request election thereon.

   Within five days after the passage of an ordinance or resolution within the provisions of the preceding section, the Clerk of the Council shall request the election authorities to call a special election to be held not less than thirty nor more than fifty days after the passage of such ordinance or resolution.

Section 81. Referendum on Petition.

   Every ordinance shall be subject to the referendum if at any time within thirty (30)days after its adoption a petition signed by electors of the City equal in number to at least twelve percent (12%) of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for Mayor at the most recent general election at which the Mayor was elected be filed with the Clerk requesting that such ordinance be submitted to the people for consideration.

(Amended by electors 11-3-92)

Section 82. Ballots on referendum.

   The ballots used in voting upon any measure submitted to the electors for approval shall contain the title and subject thereof, which may be stated in the title, and underneath the two propositions, "For the ordinance (resolution or amendment)" and "Against the ordinance (resolution or amendment)." Immediately at the left of each proposition there shall be a square in which by making a cross (X) the voter may vote for or against the proposition.

(Amended by electors 11-4-19)

Section 83. Elections on Referendum and Initiative Petitions.

   Elections as to initiative and referendum petitions shall be held at the next regular general or primary election occurring not less than seventy-five (75) days after the Clerk certifies the issue to the election authorities.

(Amended by electors 11-3-92)

Section 84. Effect of approving vote.

   If a majority of the votes cast be in favor of a measure submitted to referendum, the same shall thereupon become adopted as if it had been passed by Council; or in case of an amendment to the Charter, it shall become of full force as a part thereof.

Sec tion 85. Emergency measures subject to referendum.

   An emergency measure shall be subject to a referendum as other ordinances or resolutions. If, upon a referendum, it be not approved, it shall stand repealed, but any expense incurred in accordance with the provisions thereof and before the disapproval by referendum shall be paid under the authority thereof as if the measure were still effective. Until repealed upon referendum it shall continue effective.