To: Board of Supervisors
From: Clerk/Recorder
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Appointment of Special District Directors
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive staff report; and
2. Appoint attached slates of individuals to special district governing boards, pursuant to California Elections Code, Sections 10515 and 10517.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
Humboldt County currently has 47 special districts with elected governing boards. Special district boards are most often comprised of three or five positions with two-year and four-year terms. Typically, district board terms will expire biennially in even-numbered years. In 2024 there are 38 special districts, including 23 community services districts, 13 fire protection districts, one harbor district, and one healthcare district participating in this year’s election.
The elections process commences with a candidate filing period during which time qualified Humboldt County residents can file candidacy papers to serve on a district board in the jurisdiction in which they live. Pursuant to California Elections Code, Section 10517, when the number of qualified candidates filing for a position exceeds the number of seats available, the county elections official, the Registrar of Voters, will conduct a general district election to fill the available seats. When the number of qualified candidates filing for a seat equals the number of seats available and no petition requesting an election has been filed, California Elections Code, Section 10515(a) directs the officer conducting the election, the Registrar of Voters, to request the supervising authority, the Board of Supervisors, appoint qualified candidates who have filed candidacy papers; the supervising authority will make these appointments in lieu of an election. However, when the number of qualified candidates is fewer than the number of seats available, California Elections Code, Section 10515(b) directs the supervising authority to appoint a person who is qualified as of the date an election would have been held.
The candidacy filing period for the 2024 General Election was held from July 15, 2024, through Aug. 9, 2024. Attachment 1 summarizes the results of candidacy for the 2024 General Election. At the close of the filing period, four of the 38 districts received a greater number of candidate filings than seats available for one or more open seats. California Elections Code, Section 10517, directs the Registrar of Voters to conduct a general election to fill the available seats. At the close of the filing period, 22 of the 38 districts received the same number of candidate filings as seats available for one or more open seats or received fewer candidate filings than seats available for one or more open seats. California Elections Code, Section 10515(a), directs the Board of Supervisors to appoint these qualified candidates in lieu of an election. California Elections Code, Section 10515(b), directs the Board of Supervisors to appoint a person who is qualified as of Nov. 5, 2024, the date of the General Election.
The Humboldt County Office of Elections notified districts of available seats and requested districts make recommendations to fill available seats; 20 of the districts notified made recommendations of people who meet minimum qualifications as prescribed by Government Code, Section 24001, which states “a person is not eligible to a county or district office, unless he or she is a registered voter of the county or district in which the duties of the office are to be exercised at the time that nomination papers are issued to the person or at the time of the appointment of the person”. (Attachment 2)
As of the close of the filing period, and after recommendations were made, seven of the 38 districts still have a vacancy: Alderpoint County Water District, Big Lagoon Community Services District, Phillipsville Community Services District, Weott Community Services District, Kneeland Fire Protection District, Petrolia Fire Protection District, and Telegraph Ridge Fire Protection District.
Of the district nominations received by the Office of Elections, Briceland Community Services District recommended someone who did not meet the minimum qualifications as prescribed by Government Code, Section 24001, which states “a person is not eligible to a county or district office, unless he or she is a registered voter of the county or district in which the duties of the office are to be exercised at the time that nomination papers are issued to the person or at the time of the appointment of the person.” The other recommendations made by this district are qualified for appointments.
One district making out-of-district recommendations is Garberville Sanitary District.
Garberville Sanitary District
The Garberville Sanitary District recommends the Board of Supervisors make two out-of-district appointments to the district’s board. Dan Thomas was appointed to the Garberville Sanitary District on Jan. 14, 2020, by the Board of supervisors as an out-of-district appointment. Mr. Thomas lives just outside of the district boundary but votes, conducts business, and socializes within the Garberville Sanitary District. Dan has an interest in community service and as a retired engineer with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), he has a wealth of knowledge that will benefit the governing board in making decisions. Soran (Rio) Anderson has served on the district board since 2011. Mr. Anderson has served as Board President, is extremely committed to Garberville, and does a great job representing the customers of the district. Mr. Anderson owns several homes, apartments, and businesses in Garberville, works in Garberville daily, and involves himself in the Garberville community. The Garberville Sanitary District recommends the Board of Supervisors appoint Mr. Thomas and Mr. Anderson to the district board. (Attachment 3)
Resort Improvement District No.1
The Resort Improvement District No.1 had three positions for four-year terms beginning in December 2024. They had two applicants file and are asking for them to be appointed in lieu. The remaining seat was posted as a notice in the local community before making a recommendation, and they had response from 3 community members and the existing board could not choose among them. They have included the applications and resumes received and are looking for the Board of Supervisors’ direction. (Attachment 4)
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Special Districts
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
There is no financial impact to the county associated with bringing this item to the Board other than staff time to prepare the item.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
None.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Community Services Districts
Fire Protection Districts
Water Districts
Sanitary District
Harbor District
Healthcare District
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose to appoint qualified voters from the respective districts other than those listed in Attachment 2.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Candidacy Results Summary
Attachment 2: District Recommendations
Attachment 3: Garberville Sanitary District Out of District Recommendation and letter
Attachment 4: Resort Improvement District No. 1 letter, applications, and resumes
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A