DATE: February 20, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Statement in Favor and Rebuttal related to Amendment to the Fresno County Charter
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize each Board member to execute the statement and necessary submittal documents in favor of an amendment to the Fresno County Charter, Section 16, related to the qualifications of the Director of Public Works and appointment of the County Surveyor, on the June 5, 2018 ballot.
2. Approve and authorize (a) the Board Chairman to sign a Rebuttal to any argument against the amendment to the Fresno County Charter, Section 16, and (b) each Board member to execute necessary documents designating the Board Chairman to sign a Rebuttal in place of each Board member.
REPORT
Approval of the first recommended action will allow for the execution of Attachment A, a proposed statement in favor of an amendment to the County Charter for inclusion with the ballot measure and necessary submittal documents. Approval of the second recommended action will allow the Board Chairman to sign a rebuttal to any argument against the proposed amendment and authorize the execution of necessary documents/forms in Attachment B regarding any rebuttal.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose to revise the proposed statement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost related to the printing of the statement is included in the estimated cost of $90,000, for the publication of the sample ballot booklets.
DISCUSSION:
During the February 6, 2018 Board of Supervisors Meeting, your Board approved a resolution to place an amendment to Fresno County Charter, section 16, on the June 5, 2018 ballot for voter approval. The amendment would repeal the provision making the Director of Public Works the “ex-officio County Surveyor,” and to enact a provision for the Director to appoint a separate qualified County surveyor, if the Director lacks the requisite surveying license. Following unanimous approval of the resolution, your Board requested that staff draft a statement in favor of the measure for signature by your Board.
Attachment A includes a proposed statement in favor of the measure. Elections Code, section 9162 allows a board of supervisors to file a written argument for or against any county measure for inclusion in the voter information guide publication on the ballot measure.
With your Board’s approval, the statement will be included for publication in the sample ballot booklets.
Attachment B contains necessary documents/forms to be completed and signed regarding the submittal of the statement in favor of the measure and the designation of the Board Chairman to sign a rebuttal to any argument against the measure.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #7, February 6, 2018
BAI #4, June 21, 2016
BAI #5, June 7, 2016
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Attachment A
Attachment B
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa