DATE: September 12, 2017
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Brandi L. Orth, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
SUBJECT: Riverdale Irrigation District, Tranquillity Irrigation District, and Sierra Cedars Community Services District Requests to Move from Odd Year to Even Year Elections
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve Riverdale Irrigation District, Tranquillity Irrigation District, and Sierra Cedars Community Services District’s 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 would still be required to change their elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years 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. The result of this consolidation will increase the overall cost of the Statewide General Election, which will be shared by the districts involved in this election. The approval of this action is expected to result in each of the Districts receiving a lower election bill. There are many more entities that go to election in November even-numbered years and share in the cost of the election.
DISCUSSION:
These Districts have filed Resolutions with the County Clerk 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:
• Riverdale Irrigation District
• Tranquillity Irrigation District
• Sierra Cedars Community Services 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 August 7, 2017 of the Districts’ consolidation requests with instructions to provide their comments to the Clerk to the Board by 9:00 am August 25, 2017. One district has responded; State Center Community College District has no position on the request and makes no objection. Comments received by the Clerk to the Board after the submission of this agenda item, they will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on or before September 12, 2017.
The addition of more races to the even year General election ballot will increase the overall cost of the election. However, all entities going to election pay their pro-rata share of the election costs, thereby providing offsetting revenue to the net County cost of the election. Each of the Districts’ Resolution state their election bill will be reimbursed to the County upon being presented with an invoice.
Within 30 days after your Board’s approval, all registered voters in the Districts will be notified of this approval. Notification expenses will be paid by the Districts, as authorized in the Resolutions.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
Riverdale Irrigation District, Tranquillity Irrigation District, and Sierra Cedars Community Services District have reviewed, and concurred with this item.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Riverdale Irrigation District Resolution
On file with Clerk - Tranquillity Irrigation District Resolution
On file with Clerk - Sierra Cedars Community Services District Resolution
On file with Clerk - Comment from other District
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander