Clark County Charter Review Commission to push proposed amendments on light rail, tolls to 2027

A commission reviewing Clark County’s “constitution” will tackle proposed amendments that would prohibit the county from supporting light rail and road tolls — but not until next year. Commissioner Brad Benton, who sponsored the toll amendment, confirmed the pair of proposals will be delayed until 2027 during a Wednesday meeting. Clark County’s Home Rule Charter, which was adopted in 2015, outlines three routes for making changes: directly by voters through initiatives and referendum, through amendments proposed by the review commission, or by amendments proposed by a supermajority of the county council. Three representatives from each of the county’s five voting districts are elected to the commission every five years. An amendment to change the term to every 10 years has been deferred to 2027 as well. While those amendments won’t be before voters in the upcoming general election, 17 others remain under consideration for this year’s ballot. While it’s unlikely all will make it onto the November ballot, voters will likely have more to consider than in prior elections. In 2022, there were six amendments on the ballot and in 2021, nine. During Wednesday’s meeting, county attorney Katie Jolma urged the commission to avoid adding overly restrictive conditions or requirements to the charter. “After reviewing the spectrum of proposals that have come in, I also want to remind this body that the charter … has to be flexible enough that it can still accommodate for those higher legal opinions that come down,” Jolma said. Jolma said some of the amendments proposed for this year and 2027 might be better suited as county ordinances. She also suggested the commissioners read through the entire charter, and look at charters from other counties, to inform their decisions on how proscriptive the language and proposed amendments should be. “Otherwise, if it’s not flexible enough, then you’re opening up the county to be sued,” she said. Fourteen amendments slated for 2026 have passed both first and second readings and are now before a study committee. They include 26-12, which makes sheriff’s office staffing the paramount duty of the county, and 26-26, which would establish a minimum level of funding. The latter would set staffing at 85 percent of the statewide average for officers per 1,000 residents, as published annually by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. In 2025, the average was 1.37 officers per 1,000, while the county’s staffing level was 0.59 officers per 1,000. Other amendments under study include: 26-13 would require all legislative branch employees to report to the county council. (Currently, only the county manager reports to the council). 26-20 would limit county council members to three consecutive terms. 26-37 would give the county council authority to investigate residents’ complaints about county operations. 26-40 would lower some thresholds for initiatives, mini-initiatives and referendums to be placed on the ballot. Several proposed amendments have also been withdrawn or lacked support to move forward. The list includes an amendment prohibiting county government from taking actions that block or delay citizen initiatives, an amendment to limit levy increases by 1 percent (plus new construction) without a vote of the people, another to change the county council from five to seven members, and an amendment that would have banned the county council from adopting resolutions or proclamations with “symbolic political positions.” An amendment requiring the county auditor to investigate voter registration challenges also failed to garner support to move forward. The commission will vote on which and how many amendments to place on the ballot July 8.

Related Stories