City of Chandler Study Session July 13, 2026 P2

The City of Chandler, Arizona held a study session on July 13, 2026, primarily discussing Proposition 434, a charter amendment concerning residency requirements for city council appointees and department directors. The council reviewed the background of the proposition, which mandates that appointed officials such as the city manager, city magistrate, city clerk, and city attorney reside within city limits, while other employees may be subject to a reasonable distance policy set by the city manager. The council discussed the implications of withdrawing the proposition from the November 2026 ballot, noting the deadline for withdrawal and the potential costs of a special election if reintroduced later. No direct votes were taken during this session, but council members expressed support for allowing voters to decide on the proposition. The discussion also clarified that personnel residency enforcement falls under the city manager's purview, not the council's. The council acknowledged that if the proposition passes, further policy work would be needed to define "reasonable distance" for certain employees.