Voters in Goodyear rejected three of four proposed charter amendments in a May 20 special election, while approving a measure to clarify revenue rules and authorizing new franchise agreements with two water utilities.

According to unofficial results released May 27 by the city, the only charter change to pass was a measure adding details to the city’s revenue sources and clarifying how municipal bonds are approved. The Goodyear City Council is scheduled to canvass the results June 9, finalizing the election.

Question 1, which would have moved land use and zoning decisions into the city charter, was narrowly defeated. Voters rejected the measure by a margin of 51.49% to 48.51%. Decisions on building height, landscaping standards, and architectural design will continue to be made under existing processes, guided by the city’s voter-approved general plan.

Question 2, which would have expanded the responsibilities of the Council Compensation Committee to include benefit recommendations, was rejected by 59.44% of voters. The committee will continue to recommend only salary adjustments, and increases greater than 5.1% will still require voter approval.

Question 3 also failed, with 58.27% voting no. The measure would have allowed the city manager, rather than the council, to create, eliminate or modify city departments.

Question 4, the only charter amendment to pass, was approved by 51.23% of voters. The measure updates the city charter to include a detailed list of current tax and revenue sources and clarifies existing bond issuance procedures. The change will be sent to the Governor’s Office for review to ensure it complies with Arizona law.

Voters also approved two 25-year franchise agreements allowing EPCOR Water Arizona Inc. and Liberty Utilities to operate water and wastewater systems within the city using public streets.

Question 5, the EPCOR agreement, passed with 57.12% of the vote.
Question 6, the Liberty Utilities agreement, passed with 59.74%.

Both agreements include a 3% annual fee based on company earnings, which will go into Goodyear’s general fund to support services such as public safety, roads and parks. The agreements will take effect after the City Council canvasses the results June 9.

Once the results are finalized, the city will begin implementing the approved changes. The updated charter provision will be reviewed by the governor, and the utility agreements will go into effect immediately.

For more information and full election results, visit goodyearaz.gov/elections.