2026 Ballot Initiative – FULL TEXT

Utility Governance – Section 15.11(a)

The Council shall provide by ordinance for the establishment of a municipal electric utility to be governed by the Ann Arbor Municipal Electric Utility Board described in Section 15.11(b).

Section 15.11(b)

1. In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 of the Charter, there is hereby created the Ann Arbor Municipal Electric Utility Board (“Board”). Except as otherwise specified in the Charter, the Board shall have jurisdiction, control, and management of any municipal electric utility established by the City and all its operations and facilities, except municipal utilities previously or otherwise established in the Charter. The Board shall have all the powers and duties possessed by the City to construct, acquire, expand, operate, study and maintain the utility system and to do any and all acts or things that are necessary, convenient, or desirable in order to preserve or promote an orderly, economic, and businesslike administration of the utility, including but not limited to making all contracts pertaining to utility business and acquiring property and interests in property in the name of the city for utility purposes. Rates and charges shall be set by the Board and approved by Council according to the provisions of Chapter 15 of this Charter. The Board shall operate as a separate department of City government.

2. Acquisition of a public electric utility or any part thereof shall be subject to the provisions of Section 117.4f of the Michigan Home Rule City Act, Act 279 of 1909, and of article 7, section 25 of the Michigan State Constitution.

3. The Board shall serve for the benefit of the City of Ann Arbor.

4. The Board may appoint and employ an Executive Director who shall be qualified by training and experience for the overall management of the utility.

5. Operational decisions of the Board, including personnel appointments, may be amended or voided by City Council by resolution with eight affirmative votes.

6. The Board’s annual budget shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 8 of the Charter.

7. The Board shall recommend and the Council shall authorize the borrowing of money for the Board in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 8 of the Charter.

8. The Board shall consist of nine members, five of whom shall be elected and four of whom shall be appointed by the City Council. The five elected members shall be elected from the five Ann Arbor City Wards pursuant to the procedures of this Charter. One of the four appointed seats shall be reserved for a representative of organized labor who resides in the City of Ann Arbor. Each nomination petition filed by or on behalf of a person seeking nomination to the Board shall be signed by not less than 100 nor more than 200 registered electors of the ward from which the person seeks to be elected.

9. Board members shall be elected at the first general election following adoption of these charter amendments. The Board members from Wards 1, 3 and 5 shall be elected for an initial term of four (4) years, and thereafter for terms of four (4) years. The board members from Wards 2 and 4 shall be elected for a term of two (2) years, and thereafter for terms of four (4) years. The four appointed members shall be appointed by Council by the second Tuesday of the month following the month of the general election where the five elected members are chosen. Two appointed board positions shall serve initial terms of three (3) years, and thereafter shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years. Two appointed board positions shall serve initial terms of two (2) years, and thereafter shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years.

10. The Board shall organize at its first meeting on the last Thursday of the month following the month of the general election selecting its initial five elected members, by electing one of its members chairperson and shall meet at regular intervals on a schedule determined by the Board.

11. The Board shall adopt policies and procedures to enable a just transition for workers, and ensure that worker compensation, training and participation are core components in any decision relating to operation of the utility.

12. The Board will strive to quickly end reliance on fossil fuels, focus on sustainable alternatives, and seek new opportunities for producing and distributing renewable energy.

13. The Board will direct its efforts to promote ratepayer equity in its operations.