DATE: March 1, 2016
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Brandi L. Orth, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
SUBJECT: Golden Plains Unified School District and Raisin City Elementary School District’s Request for County to Conduct a Consolidated School and School Recall Special Election
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
TITLE
Adopt a Resolution approving the County Clerk/Registrar of Voters to conduct a Consolidated School and School Recall Special Election on April 12, 2016 for Golden Plains Unified School District and Raisin City Elementary School District.
REPORT
On July 21, 2015, the Board of Education of Golden Plains Unified School District executed Resolution No. 15-16-05, which ordered a special election to be held on April 12, 2016 to fill the vacancy for Trustee Area No. 3 on the school board. The current vacancy is due to the resignation of a board member on May 28, 2015. In addition, on December 10, 2015, the Governing Board of Trustees of Raisin City Elementary School District executed Resolution No. 85-2015 calling a School Recall Special Election to be held on April 12, 2016. The recommended action allows the County Clerk/Registrar of Voters to consolidate both elections and conduct the election on April 12, 2016. There is no increase in net county cost associated with the recommended action.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
If the recommended action is not approved, it would be the responsibility of the County Clerk/Registrar of Voters to conduct their elections separately. Historically, both school districts have submitted an executed resolution for each of their past elections requesting the County Clerk/Registrar of Voters to conduct the election. The County Clerk/Registrar of Voters has provided those services and the school districts, upon receipt of an invoice, have reimbursed the County for past election costs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in net county cost related to the recommended action. Golden Plains Unified School District and Raisin City Elementary School District have agreed to reimburse the County for all costs related to the April 12, 2016 Consolidated School and School Recall Special Election. The estimated cost range for the consolidated election is $30,000 to $45,000. The total estimated election cost is included in the Department’s FY 2015-2016 budget.
DISCUSSION:
Golden Plains Unified School District:
On July 21, 2015, the Golden Plains Unified School District passed Resolution No. 15-16-05, which ordered a special election to fill the vacancy for Trustee Area No. 3. The vacancy was created when Mr. Presentación Sanchez resigned from office on May 28, 2015. California Education Code Section 5091(a)(1) requires the Governing Board to either appoint a provisional board member or call a special election to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of a board member. California Education Code Section 5091(a)(1) also sets the rules for scheduling the election to fill the vacancy. The vacancy must be scheduled for the next established election date, not less than 130 days after the order of the election. According to these rules, the next available date to hold this election is April 12, 2016 to consolidate its election with any other election held on the same date. Golden Plains Unified School District requests the Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters to conduct the election on April 12, 2016, and provide any and all necessary services related to the election. Golden Plains Unified School District consents to reimburse the County for costs incurred by the Registrar of Voters for said services.
Raisin City Elementary School District:
On December 10, 2015, Raisin City Elementary School District passed Resolution No. 85-2015 calling a School Recall Special Election to be held on April 12, 2016. Raisin City Elementary School District requests the Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters to conduct the election and provide any and all necessary services related to the election. Raisin City Elementary School District consents to reimburse the County for costs incurred by the Registrar of Voters for said services.
The estimated cost range for the Golden Plains Unified School District and Raisin City Elementary School District Consolidated School and School Recall Special Election is $30,000 to $45,000. Both school districts agree to comply with California Election Code 10520 which states, “Each district involved in a general district election in an affected county shall reimburse the county for the actual costs incurred by the county elections official thereof in conducting the general district election for that district. The county elections official of the affected county shall determine the amount due from each district and shall bill each district accordingly”.
In accordance with California Election Code 10002, each request to conduct the election is subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors. California Education Code Section 5342 and California Election Code 10400, et.seq. provide that the Board of Supervisors may consolidate the aforementioned elections.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - April 12, 2016 Resolution
On file with Clerk - Golden Plains Unified School District Resolution No. 15-16-05
On file with Clerk - Raisin City Elementary School District Resolution No. 85-2015
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander