May 2026 - Measure to Amend Corvallis City Charter Provisions Relating to Exercise of Powers

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 Provisions Relating to Exercise of Powers

 
Ballot Title

Caption: Amend Corvallis City Charter Provisions Relating to Exercise of Powers

Question: Shall the City of Corvallis amend certain sections of its charter relating to the exercise of city powers?

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 amend certain sections of the Corvallis city charter relating to the exercise of city powers, such as the adoption of resolutions, ordinances, and orders. Specifically, this measure would amend Sections 5, 6, 35, 36, and 37 of the charter. Many of the proposed changes would bring the charter language closer into alignment with the statewide model charter published by the League of Oregon Cities, but the amendments also include language specific to Corvallis. 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 voters for approval.

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 amend certain sections of the Corvallis city charter relating to the exercise of city powers, such as the adoption of resolutions, ordinances, and orders. Many of the proposed changes would bring the current charter language closer into alignment with the statewide model charter published by the League of Oregon Cities, but the amendments also include language specific to Corvallis.

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

  • Section 5, relating to how the language in the charter is to be construed;
  • Section 6, relating to the manner in which the City exercises its powers; and
  • Sections 35, 36, and 37, which currently relate to the adoption of ordinances, but which would be amended to describe adoption of not only ordinances, but also resolutions and orders.

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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