To: Board of Supervisors
From: Clerk/Recorder
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Appointment of Special District Directors
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive staff report; and
2. Appoint the attached slates of individuals to special district governing boards, pursuant to California Elections Code, Sections 10515 and 10517.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund
Special Districts
DISCUSSION:
Humboldt County currently has 47 special districts with elected governing boards, including community services, fire, water, and other districts. Special district boards are typically comprised of five positions, including two-year and four-year positions. In years past, district board terms would expire biennially in odd-numbered years. On January 1, 2018, Elections Code, Sections 14051 and 14052 required special districts with regularly scheduled odd-year elections that have experienced “significant decrease in voter turnout” in a regularly scheduled election to transition to even-year statewide general elections. Significant decrease in voter turnout is described as voter turnout that is at least 25 percent less than the average turnout for the previous four statewide general elections. For this reason, most special districts have moved to even-numbered year elections, leaving nine special districts participating in this year’s odd-numbered year election, as follows:
Community Services Districts:
• Alderpoint County Water District
• Hydesville County Water District
• Orick Community Services District
• Orleans Community Services District
Fire Protection Districts:
• Blue Lake Fire Protection District
• Garberville Fire Protection District
• Humboldt No. 1 Fire Protection District
• Samoa Peninsula Fire Protection District
Other Districts:
• North Humboldt Recreation & Park District
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. Typically, appointments to vacancies are made based on district recommendations; however, your board is authorized to appoint any qualified individual.
The candidacy filing period for the 2019 Consolidated Districts Election was held from July 15, 2019 through August 9, 2019. At the close of the filing period, none of the nine districts received a greater number of candidate filings as seats available for one or more open seats. As such, no races moved to election pursuant to California Elections Code, Section 10517.
At the close of the filing period, six of the nine districts received the same or fewer number of candidate filings as seats available for one or more open seat(s). California Elections Code, Section 10515(a), directs the Board of Supervisors to appoint these qualified candidates in lieu of an election. Attachment 1 summarizes qualified candidates who have filed candidacy papers.
At the close of the filing period, eight of the nine districts received fewer candidate filings than seats available for one or more open seat(s). California Elections Code, Section 10515(b), directs the Board of Supervisors to appointment a person who is qualified as of November 3, 2019, the date of the Consolidated Districts Election. The Humboldt County Office of Elections notified districts of the status of available seats. Attachment 2 summarizes candidates who have been nominated by district governing boards; Attachment 3 provides copies of district recommendations for appointment.
As of the close of the filing period, four districts still have one or more vacancy: Orick Community Services District, Blue Lake Fire Protection District, Garberville Fire Protection District, and Samoa Peninsula Fire Protection District (Attachment 4). At the close of the filing period, fewer candidates filed candidacy papers for the Samoa Peninsula Fire Protection District than seats available leaving one four-year vacancy. No candidates filed candidacy papers for Orick Community Services’ four-year or two-year seats, Blue Lake Fire Protection District’s two-year seat, and Garberville Fire Protection District’s four-year or two-year seats. The Office of Elections received no district recommendations to fill these vacancies for your board to consider. Your board can fill these vacancies with qualified individuals or leave the seats vacant.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Community Services Districts
Fire Districts
Parks District
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your board could choose to appoint qualified voters from the respective districts other than those listed in Attachments 1 and 2. Your board can choose to fill remaining district vacancies identified in Attachment 4 with qualified individuals.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Appointments in Lieu
Attachment 2: Other Appointments
Attachment 3: District Recommendations for Appointment
Attachment 4: Vacancies
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A