Abatement:
The granting of certain tax concessions in order to promote
economic development, or for other lawful purposes.
Affiant:
One who swears to an affidavit.
Affinity:
Degree of kinship as a result of marriage, as between a married
person and the other spouse.
Boards and Commissions:
An official or representative body organized under authority
of law to exercise oversight or control over certain matters.
Bonds:
A certificate or evidence of a debt on which the governing
body promises to pay bond holders a specific amount of interest over
a specified time, and to repay the principal on a certain date.
Called Meeting:
A special meeting called by the governing body in addition
to regularly scheduled meetings.
Caption:
The heading or introductory part of a legal document such
as an ordinance or resolution.
Ceremonial:
A formal act, or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol,
or convention.
Consanguinity:
Degree of kinship or blood relationship, as between a person
and their parents.
Conveyance:
Certain documents involving transfer of title from the City
to other persons or entities.
Disannexation:
An official act detaching and removing an area from within
the boundaries of the City.
Estoppel:
A bar to alleging or denying a fact because of one’s
own previous actions or words to the contrary.
Fee Simple:
A fee without limitations to any class or heirs, or restriction
on transfer of ownership.
Franchise:
A special privilege conferred by the City, such as the right
to operate a taxi system upon the public rights-of-way.
Initiative:
A procedure enabling a specified number of voters, by petition,
to propose a law and secure its submission to the electorate or to
the legislative body for approval.
Metes and Bounds:
A method of describing land by listing the compass direction
and distance of boundary lines.
Ordinances:
A law set forth by a governmental authority.
Plurality:
An excess of votes over those cast for an opposing candidate,
or a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than
two candidates that is greater than the number cast for any other
candidate, but not more than half the votes cast.
Politic:
A social compact by which the whole people covenant with
each citizen, and each citizen with the whole people, all of whom
shall be governed by certain laws for the common good.
Promulgation:
To make known or public the terms of a duly enacted ordinance.
Recall:
The right or procedure by which an official may be removed
by vote of the people.
Referendum:
The principal or practice of submitting to popular vote a
measure passed upon or proposed by a legislative body, or by popular
initiative.
Resolution:
A formal expression of opinion, will, or intent, voted by
an official body or assembly.
Situs:
The place where something is held to be located in law.
Subpoena:
A document commanding a person to appear and give testimony,
or to produce certain documents or things.
Unilaterally:
Done or undertaken by one person or party independently of
other persons or entities.