REFERENDUM Part of Charter of the City of Columbus. REFERENDUM Sec. 44. - Referendum initiated by petition. The power to initiate a referendum by petition on any ordinance, other than those ordinances listed herein, is hereby reserved to the people of the city of Columbus. Any proposed referendum may be submitted to the council by a petition signed by registered electors of the city equal to not less than five per cent of the total vote cast at the last preceding regular municipal election for mayor, and such petition shall be submitted within thirty days of final action by the council. (Adopted 11-7-33; Ord. No. 1748-2014, 7-21-2014) Editor's note— Ord. No. 1748-2014, adopted July 21, 2014, amended the title of § 44 to read as set out herein. Former § 44 was titled [council action; submission to voters.] Sec. 44-1. - Ordinances not subject to the referendum. The following shall not be subject to the referendum, but shall go into effect at the time indicated therein: (a) Any annual appropriation ordinance. (b) In all cases where council is required to pass more than one ordinance or other measure to complete the legislation necessary to make and pay for any public improvement, the referendum shall apply only to the first ordinance or measure required to be passed. (c) Ordinances or resolutions providing for the approval or disapproval of appointments or removals by the mayor, and appointments or removals made by council. (d) Action by the council on the approval of official bonds. (e) Ordinances or resolutions providing for the submission of any proposal to a vote of the electors. (Ord. No. 1748-2014, 7-21-2014) Sec. 44-2. - Effect of referendum petition on subject ordinance. If a petition for referendum shall be filed as provided for herein regarding an ordinance that shall go into effect thirty days after final passage by the council, such ordinance shall not be operative until the steps indicated herein have be taken. If a petition for referendum is filed as provided for herein regarding an emergency measure, such ordinance shall go into effect at the time indicated in such ordinance. If, when submitted to a vote of the electors, an emergency measure is not approved by a majority of those voting thereon, it shall be considered repealed as regards any further action thereunder; but such measure so repealed shall be deemed sufficient authority for payment, in accordance with the ordinance, of any expense incurred previous to the referendum vote thereon. If any aforesaid referendum petition be filed regarding a measure passed by the council providing for an expenditure of money, a bond issue, or a public improvement, all steps preliminary to such actual expenditure, actual issuance of bonds, or actual execution of a contract for such improvement, may be taken prior to the election. (Ord. No. 1748-2014, 7-21-2014) Sec. 44-3. - Council action on petition for referendum. Upon receipt of the report regarding the validation of signatures, the city clerk shall read a summary of the same into the record. Within fourteen days thereafter, the council shall determine the sufficiency of the petition. Should the council find such petition sufficient, it shall vote within thirty days to either repeal the subject ordinance, or by ordinance forthwith order and provide for the submission of such proposed referendum in its original form to a vote of the electors of the city. (Ord. No. 1748-2014, 7-21-2014) Sec. 44-4. - Placement of issue on the ballot. The aforesaid ordinance shall require that such proposed referendum be submitted at the next regular municipal election if one shall occur not less than sixty nor more than one-hundred-twenty days after its passage. If no such election will be held within the period herein provided, the council shall, at its sole discretion, order and provide for the submission of such proposed referendum to a vote of the electors of the city at either a special election within such period, or at the next regular municipal election. (Ord. No. 1748-2014, 7-21-2014) Sec. 44-5. - Ballot language, referendum. In any ordinance placing a referendum on the ballot, city council shall prescribe a brief summary of the same, which shall be accurate, shall not be misleading, and shall be without material omission or argument. The summary so prescribed shall be placed upon the ballot. City council may further prescribe arguments, of no more than two-hundred words each, printed side by side in such order as council deems appropriate, both in support of and in opposition to such referendum; and such arguments shall properly represent the substance, purpose and effect of the proposal. The ballot committee may prepare and present to city council suggested arguments for such proposal. The arguments, so prescribed by council, shall be affixed to a copy of the proposal referendum and shall be placed in each voting location of the city. (Ord. No. 1748-2014, 7-21-2014) Sec. 44-6. - Effect of electoral vote on referendum. If such proposed referendum be approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon, the ordinance which was the subject of the referendum shall be repealed upon the completion of the official canvass of the election. (Ord. No. 1748-2014, 7-21-2014)