§ SC2-16. Referendum.

If, before the expiration of twenty (20) calendar days following the approval of any ordinance or resolution by the Mayor or passage of any ordinance or resolution over the Mayor's veto, a petition is filed with the city clerk containing not less than twenty percent (20%) of the qualified registered voters of the city of Salisbury requesting that the ordinance or resolution, or any part thereof, be submitted to a vote of the qualified voters of the city of Salisbury for their approval or disapproval, the Council shall have the ordinance or resolution, or part thereof requested for referendum, placed on the ballot of the next regularly scheduled election, or at a special election for the sole purpose of the referendum if the Council deems such a special election warranted. Moreover, the Council, if it so chooses, may pass legislation subject to a referendum which will necessitate a vote to approve or disapprove the legislation prior to its enactment as valid law. Additionally, no ordinance or resolution shall become effective following the receipt of a petition set forth herein until and unless approved at the election by a majority (more than fifty percent (50%)) of the electorate participating in the voting on the question. However, the Council, as a stated purpose, may designate an ordinance or resolution to be emergency legislation which shall become effective at approval by the Mayor or upon passage by the Council over Mayor's veto for a period of sixty (60) days following the receipt of a petition as set forth above. If such emergency legislation has not been submitted to the qualified voters within sixty (60) days following the receipt of the petition, the operation of the ordinance or resolution, or part thereof requested for referendum, shall be suspended until approved by a majority (more than fifty percent (50%)) of the electorate participating in the election on the question. Nothing herein shall permit the electorate to petition for referendum regarding any of the following: (1) the budget ordinance; (2) the assessment of taxes; (3) the issuance of bonds; (4) the levying of taxes to retire public indebtedness; and (5) the levying of special assessments. However, the Council may, at its discretion, submit any of the referenced issues to the public by express grant at the time of the passage of the Ordinance.

[Added 11-8-93 by Res. No. 437]