DATE: January 23, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Jean Rousseau, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: James Irrigation District and International Water District Request to Move from Odd Year to Even Year Elections
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve James Irrigation District and International Water District request to move from odd to even-numbered year elections and set the date for the Districts’ elections to occur on the same day as the Statewide General Election.
REPORT
The Districts request to move their election year from odd-numbered to even-numbered years. The Elections Code requires the Board of Supervisors to notify districts and request input from these districts on the requested election date change.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the Districts could still be required to change their elections from odd-numbered year to even-numbered year elections. Election law has changed regarding odd year district elections. With the passing of Senate Bill (SB) 415, all political subdivisions will be required to adopt a plan by January 1, 2018 to consolidate future elections with a statewide election (even-numbered years). Districts electing their board members in odd-numbered year elections will be required to have elections on statewide election dates by 2022, unless the district meets a voter turnout threshold formula.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action.
DISCUSSION:
These Districts have filed Resolutions with the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors’ requesting the consolidation of their district election with the Statewide General election. The following Districts request the move from odd-numbered year to even-numbered year elections in accordance with Election Code 10404:
• James Irrigation District
• International Water District
The Resolutions shall become operative upon approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Election Code sections 10404 (e). This code section states that “the Board of Supervisors… shall approve the resolution unless it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled”. Prior to approval of the Resolution submitted by the Districts, Election Code section 10404 (c) requires the Board of Supervisors to notify all districts of the receipt of the resolution to consolidate and shall request input from each district on the effect of the consolidation. All districts were notified by letter on December 18, 2017 of James Irrigation Districts’ consolidation requests with instructions to provide their comments to the Clerk to the Board by January 12, 2018. In addition, all districts were notified by letter on January 3, 2018 of International Water Districts’ consolidation requests with instructions to provide their comments to the Clerk to the Board by January 19, 2018. Comments received by the Clerk to the Board will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on or before January 23, 2018.
Within 30 days after your Board’s approval, James Irrigation District and International Water District will be notified of this approval, with the request that they notify the voters of the district.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - James Irrigation District Resolution 2017-12
On file with Clerk - International Water District Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander