A. The principal petitioners shall submit the proposed initiative petition to the finance director within 12 months prior to the election the measure is to be submitted to the voters. The election date shall be the November general election date, unless the city council authorizes a special election under RCW 29A.04.330 prior to the submission of the proposed initiative under this section, in which case the time periods throughout this chapter shall be calculated by reference to such special election date.

B. Upon receipt of the petition the finance director shall assign a number to the proposed initiative and forward it to the city attorney.

C. Within 10 working days of receipt, the city attorney shall review the petition with the principal petitioners, and if the petition is in proper form, the city attorney in consultation with the principal petitioners shall write a short, concise, true, and impartial statement of the purpose of the measure. This statement shall be the ballot title.

D. The ballot title shall consist of three elements: (1) an identification of the enacting legislative body and a statement of the subject matter; (2) a concise description of the measure; and (3) a question. The ballot title must conform with the requirement of RCW 29A.72.050, except that the concise description must not exceed 75 words.

E. Upon completion of the ballot title, the finance director shall file it with the county auditor who shall provide written acknowledgement of the filing of the ballot title.

F. Upon the filing of the ballot title of a question to be submitted to the people of the city, the county auditor shall provide notice of the ballot title to the persons proposing the measure, the city, and to any other person requesting a copy of the ballot title. Notice of the filing of the ballot title shall be by mail, messenger, and if requested, by other electronic means.

G. Persons dissatisfied with the ballot title formulated by the city attorney have 10 working days from the date of filing of the ballot title with the county auditor to appeal to Whatcom County superior court.

H. The procedures for appeal of the ballot title shall be followed as set forth in RCW 29A.36.090. [Ord. 2006-05-042].