Ballot Measure 34-298

Beaverton Charter of 2021

Beaverton Charter of 2021 - PDF

About the City Charter

The Beaverton City Council referred a proposed city charter that was approved by Beaverton voters during the May 19, 2020 election. The Beaverton Charter of 2021 went into effect June 18, 2020, and becomes operational on January 1, 2021.

During the next several months, a series of next steps will guide implementation including community engagement to support recruitment of a full-time city manager, and preparations for the November 2020 election to fill a new council position and elect the Mayor.

What is a Charter? A city charter is like a constitution that outlines the principles, structures and process of government. Beaverton’s prior Charter was approved by voters in November 1980, and subsequently amended once in 2008 when voters changed a section relating to urban renewal.

Overview

The approved city charter outlines specifications to the city’s form of government, term limits and languages preferences, such as:

  • The mayor will no longer be the city’s administrative head. Instead, the city council will appoint a full-time city manager to oversee the city’s day-to-day operations.
  • The council will expand from five members to seven members: six part-time city councilors and one full-time mayor with voting privileges. The council will serve as the city’s governing body and be responsible for the city’s legislative functions. In addition to serving on the council, the mayor will serve as the city’s chief elected official.
  • All council positions remain nonpartisan and elected at-large by Beaverton voters. The councilors and the mayor will be limited to three consecutive four-year terms in office for their respective positions.
  • The new charter will no longer use gender-exclusive references.

Graphic link of Details on how the structure of governing will change at the City of Beaverton. Opens in new window

Gráfico en español | Versión de texto

Text version of Government Roles & Responsibilities

The following questions and responses were prepared to assist city employees and residents with the role and functions of the new City Manager position. The last section describes several other significant changes following voter approval of the 2021 City Charter. In several cases, hyperlinks are provided to related documents that provide additional information. While some of the dates and processes specifically pertain to the hiring of an Interim City Manager, most of the information pertains to both the Interim City Manager as well as the person who will hold a regular appointment.

Interim City Manager Recruitment

The city is currently recruiting for the Interim City Manager. Read the recruitment brochure and apply online.

  1. What does the City Manager do? Is there anything exceptional in the job description?
  2. What does the City Manager do in a City Council meeting? Does the City Manager vote?
  3. The Mayor's job is still full-time. What are the Mayor's new responsibilities?
  4. Why is the City recruiting for an Interim City Manager first? Why not proceed with making a regular appointment now?
  5. What is the recruitment process? How can people in Beaverton provide advice and input about the person who might be selected?
  6. Who selects the City Manager?
  7. Who would want to serve as Interim City Manager for six months or less?
  8. What positions directly report to the City Manager? Which positions do not? Will the new City Manager replace all the current department heads?
  9. What happens to the staff of the Mayor's Office?
  10. How will a seven-member City Council operate?
  11. Is the City Manager required to live in the city?
  12. What is the salary of the City Manager position? Does it include a car? Are they appointed for a fixed term?
  13. Are my property taxes going to go up because of this change?
  14. What other Oregon cities have a City Manager?
  15. I heard that Beaverton used to have a City Manager. What happened?
  16. If there is a disagreement between the Mayor and the City Manager, who prevails?
  17. Will the City Manager have a full-time Chief of Staff? With the decrease in duties and responsibilities, will the Mayor still have a full-time Chief of Staff?
  18. Why did the City Council propose a City Charter change and why did the community support it?
  19. What else is new in the 2021 City Charter?
  20. How will Charter changes pertaining to the expansion of the Council impact the boards on which Council serves? (e.g. BURA, BURA Budget, Budget)
  21. Who will appoint the incoming board and commission members for the 2021 term with the new Council members and potential new Mayor? Will the appointments still take place in December 2020?

Timeline

Graphic link of Timeline of events leading to the City of Beaverton's charter change. Opens in new window

Text version of Implementation Timeline

Virtual Charter Information Sessions

Public Discussions

The Beaverton City Council held a series of public discussions, work sessions and hearings on the Beaverton Charter of 2021

July 28, 2020City Manager Classification Specification and CompensationAgenda ItemWatch
June 23, 2020Work Session at City Council MeetingAgenda ItemWatch
March 3, 2020City Council Meeting (Voters Pamphlet Explanatory Text Action)
Agenda ItemWatch
Feb. 11, 2020Resolution referring Charter measure to votersAgenda ItemWatch
Feb. 4, 2020Work Session at City Council MeetingAgenda ItemWatch
Jan. 28, 2020Second Public HearingAgenda ItemWatch
Jan. 14, 2020First Public HearingAgenda ItemWatch
Jan. 7, 2020Draft Charter presented to Beaverton City CouncilAgenda ItemWatch
Dec. 17, 2019Work Session at City Council MeetingAgenda ItemWatch
Dec. 3, 2019Work Session at City Council MeetingAgenda ItemWatch
Nov. 5, 2019Work Session at City Council MeetingAgenda ItemWatch
Oct. 15, 2019Work Session at City Council MeetingAgenda Item
Watch
Oct. 1, 2019Work Session at City Council MeetingAgenda ItemWatch
Sep. 10, 2019Work Session at City Council MeetingAgenda ItemWatch
Sep. 3, 2019Work Session at City Council MeetingAgenda Item
Watch
  1. What is a city charter?
  2. When was the existing city charter last adopted?
  3. How does the city charter get changed?
  4. Will there be a public vote?
  5. If approved by voters, when would the new charter take effect?
  6. What happens if the proposed city charter does not pass?
  7. If the measure passes, what would be the cost to tax payers?
  8. Why was the city charter referred to voters for consideration?
  9. What would the proposed city charter do?
  10. If the measure passes, would the position of mayor remain a full-time position?
  11. If the measure passes, would councilor positions remain part-time positions?
  12. What are the basic forms of government utilized by other Oregon cities?
  13. Was there a public process to receive input from Beaverton voters?
  14. How can Beaverton voters and community members get information about the proposed city charter?