Nearly 80% agree to make recorder an appointed position; 86% to allow someone other than chief to police council meetings 

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news

Initial results after polls closed Tuesday showed Ashland voters in strong support of two measures on the primary ballot Tuesday with both receiving more than three-quarters of votes in support. 

A proposed change to the city recorder’s office from an elected official to an appointed position received 4,030 votes, or 79%, of the total 5,038 votes cast. An additional change to the city charter allowing the chief of police to delegate sergeant at arms duties won an even higher 4,346 votes, or 86%, of the 5,011 votes cast. The city put both measures on the ballot. 

Initial results just after polls closed Tuesday are from counts of ballots mostly submitted through drop boxes or via mail prior to election day. Additional votes will be counted as they come in, but typically make only a marginal difference in results.

Measure 15-227 amends the Ashland City Charter to remove the elected office of city recorder and allow the city recorder to be appointed, according to the voters pamphlet furnished by Jackson County. The measure amends the charter to allow the city of Ashland to hire an individual for the position based on their training or skills rather than the previous restriction to an elected office chosen by voters. 

Ballot measure 15-228 asked voters if the Ashland city charter should be amended to allow the chief of police to designate a sergeant-at-arms. The chief of police is required to attend all meetings of the City Council and perform the duties of sergeant of arms in the current Ashland city charter. The previous language did not allow any exceptions for the chief, such as schedule conflicts or illness. 

Passage of the measures allows the chief to designate an alternate “uniformed individual” to fulfill council duties in the event the chief cannot. 

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.