May 2026 - Measure to Amend Corvallis City Charter to Align with Model Charter

Notice of Receipt of Ballot Titles

 

Notice is hereby given that on January 20, 2026, the Corvallis City Council referred to the May 19, 2026, election the following four ballot titles and explanatory statements to amend the Corvallis City Charter. On January 21, 2026, the City recorder published the ballot titles, explanatory statements, and full text of the proposed amendments for each measure. 

Any elector who is dissatisfied with any of the ballot titles or explanatory statements may file a petition to review the ballot title(s) or explanatory statement(s) issued by the Corvallis City Attorney in the Benton County Circuit Court. The filer must name the Corvallis City Attorney as the respondent of the petition; state the reasons the title filed is insufficient, not concise, or unfair; and notify the City Recorder in writing that a petition has been filed. The petition to review must be filed with Benton County Circuit Court no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Measure numbers will be assigned by Benton County following the deadline for the petition to review.

These measures were referred to the voters by the City Council based on the recommendation of the City's Charter Review Task Force Phase 1. The Task Force's final report can be found here.

Measure to Amend Corvallis City Charter to Align with Model Charter

 

Ballot Title

Caption: Amend Corvallis City Charter to Align with Model Charter

Question: Shall the City of Corvallis amend its existing charter to align language with the League of Oregon Cities’ model charter?

Summary:

This measure would amend the City’s existing home rule charter. The Oregon Constitution gives city voters the right to adopt and amend charters.  Charters grant legal authority to cities, describe a city’s form of government, and assign duties to city officials.  Corvallis voters last amended the current charter in 2021. 

If approved, this measure would align the language in several sections of the Corvallis city charter with the statewide model charter published by the League of Oregon Cities. Specifically, it would amend Sections 3, 7, 13, 15, 17, 23(f), 24, 26, 29, 41, 43, and 45 of the charter. No other provisions of the Charter would be changed by this measure.

This measure was referred to the voters by the City Council based on the recommendation of the City’s Charter Review Task Force.

 

Explanatory Statement

If approved, this measure would amend the City’s current charter.

The proposed charter amendments are based on the unanimous recommendation of the City’s Charter Review Task Force.  The Task Force included the following individuals:

  • Charles Maughan (Mayor)
  • Tony Cadena (City Councilor)
  • Charlyn Ellis (City Councilor)
  • Jim Moorefield (City Councilor)
  • Hyatt Lytle (Community-at-Large)
  • Jack Sattler (Community-at-Large)
  • Curtis Wright (Community-at-Large)

The City Council unanimously approved submitting this measure to the voters.

The Oregon Constitution gives city voters the right to adopt and amend home rule charters.  A charter grants legal authority to a city government, describes the city’s form of government, and defines the roles and responsibilities of city officials.

 This measure would align the language in several sections of the Corvallis city charter with the statewide model charter published by the League of Oregon Cities. The charter sections included within this measure were recommended by the Charter Review Task Force because they use different language from the model charter but are generally aligned with it in substance. As such, this measure is not intended to significantly change the effect of the charter sections in question.

Specifically, this measure would amend the following sections of the charter:

  • Section 3, relating to the powers of the City generally;
  • Section 7, relating to where the powers of the city are vested;
  • Section 13, relating to compensation of city officers and employees;
  • Section 15, relating to City Council meetings and rules;
  • Section 17, relating to the record of City Council meetings;
  • Section 23(f), relating to interference in administration;
  • Section 24, relating to the Municipal Judge;
  • Section 26, relating to applicability of state law;
  • Section 29, relating to nominations for the Mayor and City Council positions;
  • Section 41, relating to special assessments;
  • Section 43, relating to continuation of existing ordinances; and
  • Section 45, relating to repeal of prior charter provisions.

No other provisions of the Charter would be changed by this measure.

 

Full Text of the Proposed Amendments

The full text of the proposed amendments are available in the pdf in the Supporting Documents below.

Supporting Documents

Measure Ballot Title, Explanatory Statement, and full text of the proposed amendments
Charter Review Phase 1 Task Force Final Report
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