DATE: February 6, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Brandi L. Orth, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
SUBJECT: City of Fresno Request for County Clerk to Conduct Municipal Elections
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve City of Fresno’s request for County of Fresno to consent to the County Clerk’s use of County funds and equipment to perform functions relating to the conduct of municipal elections of the City of Fresno.
REPORT
The current resolution from the City of Fresno pertaining to the conduct of elections is outdated. The recommended update will reflect changes in processes, procedures and technology and better define the relationship between the County and the City regarding the conduct of election functions. This agenda item affects all five Supervisorial districts, only as it relates to the City of Fresno boundaries.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the County would continue to conduct elections for the City under the outdated terms, last reviewed in 1970.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The City of Fresno will continue to pay to the County the City’s pro-rata share of the total expense of the election costs incurred by the County in conducting any municipal election.
DISCUSSION:
The County Clerk/Registrar of Voters has been conducting the elections for the City of Fresno since 1958. Since that time, processes, procedures and technology have changed. The City of Fresno has filed a new Resolution No. 2017-317 with the County Clerk to bring the resolution up to date to the processes, procedures and technology of today.
Approval of the recommended action will provide updated direction for both entities to the extent the election functions are carried out in accordance with the Elections Code of California. The City of Fresno will pay their pro-rata share of the total expense of the election costs. In the case of any special election, the City will pay the total cost of the election.
The request to conduct municipal elections may be withdrawn at any time by further resolution of the Council to be transmitted to the County Clerk not less than 180 days prior to any general or special municipal election.
The provisions of the resolution shall become effective upon consent by the Board of Supervisors and shall terminate in 10 years.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with the Clerk - City of Fresno Resolution No. 2017-317
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander