Seven county charter amendments, including an appointed sheriff

The Pierce County Charter is the county's main governing document, like a constitution. This year, the citizen Pierce County Charter Review Commission sent seven proposed amendments to voters:

• No. 52, council meetings: requires at least 45 council meetings a year, down from meetings in 50 weeks, and requires a remote attendance and comment option at meetings that take public comment.
• No. 53, appointed sheriff: ends the elected sheriff on Jan. 1, 2027. The county executive would appoint the sheriff, with approval from a council majority.
• No. 54, public safety ombuds: creates an independent office to oversee the sheriff's office. An ombuds is an official who looks into complaints.
• No. 55, initiatives: gives people collecting signatures for a county initiative 180 days instead of 120.
• No. 56, budget outlook: requires a four-year budget forecast showing that spending won't exceed expected revenue.
• No. 57, nondiscrimination: expands the list of protected groups in the charter's anti-discrimination section.
• No. 58, juvenile detention: creates an advocate office at juvenile detention and requires an outside review at least every five years.

The county voters' pamphlet prints statements for and against each amendment. Each one needs a simple majority to pass.