FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – Fayetteville residents will get a chance to vote in a special election whether to approve a controversial anti-discrimination ordinance passed last month by the City Council, the city announced Friday night.
City Clerk Sondra Smith on Friday certified more than the 4,095 signatures needed on a petition to force an election on the civil rights issue. Those wanting a public vote on the newly-passed ordinance turned a petition in to the clerk Sept. 20.
The clerk had until Sept. 30 to certify the signatures. Smith’s staff spent all week working to validate the 5,714 signatures that were turned in, eliminating duplicate signatures and those not registered to vote, according to the city clerk’s office.
A special election on the issue will likely take place Dec. 9 or Jan. 13, city officials said.
The ordinance banning discrimination in hiring practices and real estate transactions was set to go into effect the weekend of Sept. 20, but was suspended while city officials examined the petition’s signatures. The new city law will continue to be suspended, unless voters approve of the upcoming ballot issue.
The City Council in the early hours of Aug. 20 approved the ordinance that would prohibit local businesses from discriminating against someone based on race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and other factors. It would also prohibit employers from firing someone because of those reasons, as well as ban housing officials from denying someone housing based on those factors.
The decision came after nine hours of discussion of the issue during the council meeting. The ordinance passed by a vote of six to two, with aldermen Justin Tennant and Martin Schoppmeyer voting against the measure.
In addition to prohibiting discrimination by local businesses, the ordinance would create a new position on the city staff that will enforce the ordinance. Anyone cited by this new civil rights administrator could face up to $500 in fines per offense. Anyone refusing to pay the fines could face jail time, according to city leaders.
City attorney Kit Williams volunteered to serve as the civil rights administrator for the first year of the ordinance. Officials earlier this month also named a 19-member panel that will discuss any cases brought to the city under the new ordinance. The panel is made up of local social rights advocates, business owners, Chamber of Commerce members, church leaders and gay rights advocates.
Williams said he will not bring all cases to the 19-member panel. Disputed and difficult cases, though, will be brought in front of the panel for advice and input, he said.
