To: Board of Supervisors
From: Clerk/Recorder
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Requesting Consolidation of City of Eureka Special Election with the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Direct the Registrar of Voters to conduct a special election for City of Eureka;
2. Consolidate this election with the Presidential General Election to be held on November 3, 2020;
3. Direct City of Eureka to reimburse the County of Humboldt for costs incurred pursuant to Resolution No. 2020-46, and Resolution No. 2020-48; and
4. Request the Clerk of the Board forward the signed Board Order and copy of City of Eureka Resolution No. ---------------2020-46 and Resolution No. 2020-48 to the Humboldt County Office of Elections.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
City of Eureka
DISCUSSION:
On July 21, 2020, the City of Eureka passed Resolution No. 2020-46, and Resolution No. 2020-48, which orders a special election relating to a special tax measure, in the amount of $ 9,600,000, subject to approval of majority vote (50%+1) of the votes cast by the qualified electorate. Further, Resolution No. 2020-46 and Resolution No. 2020-48 requests the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors consolidate the special election with the Presidential General Election to be held on November 3, 2020, directs county election officials to conduct the necessary election, and states that the City of Eureka agrees to reimburse the county for all costs associated with the special election. On July 28, 2020, your board approved the City of Eureka’s Resolution No. 2020-30, Resolution No. 2020-31, Resolution No. 2020-32, and Resolution No. 2020-33 consolidating its general municipal election and another special election with the Presidential General Election.
Pursuit to the Resolution No. 2020-46 and Resolution No. 2020-48, the question to be submitted to the voters shall read:
“To maintain police, fire, 911 emergency medical response; youth/senior services; local business and jobs support; street repair/road safety; community health services; homeless prevention programs; parks and recreation; and other essential services; shall an ordinance renewing the City of Eureka’s voter-approved sales tax at the 1.25c rate be adopted until ended by voters, providing an estimated $9,600,000 annually, with independent citizen oversight, annual audits, and all funds spent to benefit local residents?”
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Election consolidation will ultimately not impact the General Fund. All funds advanced by the General Fund will be fully reimbursed by the City of Eureka.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing community-appropriate levels of service and building interjurisdictional and regional cooperation.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
City of Eureka
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your board could choose not to approve to consolidate the City of Eureka’s special election with the Presidential General Election. This is not recommended as this request is compliant with Elections Code, Section 10403, and your board has already consolidated the City of Eureka’s general municipal election and another special election with the Presidential General Election. Additionally, not consolidating the election would require the Office of Elections to conduct multiple elections simultaneously, increasing costs to both the county and city.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution No. 2020-46
Attachment 2: Resolution No. 2020-48
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: July 28, 2020
File No.: 20-862