A. If the city council defers the matter to the voters, or fails to take final action thereon within 30 days after receipt thereof, the initiative bill shall be submitted by the finance director to the county auditor’s office for submission to the qualified electors for approval or rejection at the next general election, or special election date if authorized by the city council.

B. The city council may, after rejection of the initiative bill, pass a different bill dealing with the same subject. The alternative bill shall be submitted at the same election with the initiative bill. The ballot titles of both bills shall be printed on the official ballots so that a voter can express separately by making one choice for each of two preferences: first as between either measure and neither; and secondly, as between one and the other. Only if a majority of all votes cast favor either bill in the first proposition, shall one of the bills so proposed be adopted. The measure adopted shall be the measure receiving the greater number of votes of the alternative measures.

C. Any bill submitted to the vote of the people, which shall receive a majority of all votes cast for and against the same, shall become an ordinance of the city of Bellingham, and be in full force and effect, and be published in the city official newspaper within 10 days after the official canvass of the ballots pursuant to law. [Ord. 2006-05-042].