Duarte : Fee for Processing Petitions

Processing initiative petitions will cost $50 under a resolution adopted by the City Council to discourage frivolous petitions.

The resolution, approved Tuesday night, says the fee will be refunded if the city clerk certifies within a year that the petition has been filed.

Council members John Hitt and James Kirchner, who voted against the measure, said the fee would infringe on the democratic process by putting a heavier burden on the poor.

The majority of the council, however, said a fee would deter those who, for example, process several petitions and file none, causing city staff wasted time and effort.