§ 2-30. Initiative, referendum procedure.

(a)

Any proposal to adopt an ordinance except an ordinance appropriating money, emergency ordinances and ordinances for the levying of taxes may be submitted to the council by a petition signed by at least twenty-five (25) percent of the registered voters. The signatures, verification, authentication, inspection, certification, amendment and submission of the petition shall be the same as that provided in section 78.270, RSMo.

(b)

When a petition to adopt an ordinance is signed by at least twenty-five (25) percent of the registered voters, the council shall pass the ordinance without alteration, within twenty (20) days of the clerk's certification of the petition, or submit it for a vote at the next municipal or state primary or general election. If a majority of the voters voting on the proposed ordinance vote in favor thereof, it shall thereupon become a valid and binding ordinance of the city.

(c)

If a petition protesting an ordinance, signed by at least twenty-five (25) percent of the registered voters of the city is presented to the council, the council shall reconsider such ordinance and, if it is not entirely repealed, submit the ordinance to the voters as provided by this paragraph of this section. Such ordinance shall not remain in effect after the election unless a majority of the voters voting on the same shall vote in favor thereof. The petition shall be submitted, verified and certified in accordance with the provisions of section 78.270, RSMo.

(d)

The question shall be submitted in substantially the following form:

Shall the following ordinance be (adopted) or (repealed)? (Set out ordinance).

(e)

Any ordinance proposed by petition, or which is adopted by a vote of the people, cannot be repealed or amended by the council for a period of two (2) years after the adoption of the ordinance except by a unanimous vote of all members of the council. Any number of proposed ordinances may be voted upon at the same election. The council may submit a proposition for the repeal of any such ordinance or for amendments thereto, to be voted upon at any municipal election. Should the proposition receive a majority of the votes cast thereon, it shall be repealed or amended accordingly.

(Ord. No. 10627, §§ 1—4, 9-10-84)

State law reference

Similar provisions, RSMo. §§ 78.573, 78.575.