To: Board of Supervisors
From: Clerk/Recorder
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
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Resolution Requesting Consolidation of Arcata Fire Protection District Special Election with the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Direct the Registrar of Voters to conduct, and give notice of, a special election for Arcata Fire Protection District;
2. Consolidate this election with the Presidential General Election to be held on November 3, 2020;
3. Direct Arcata Fire Protection District to reimburse the County of Humboldt for costs incurred pursuant to Resolution No. 20-225; and,
4. Request the Clerk of the Board forward the signed Board Order and copy of Arcata Fire Protection Resolution No. ---------------20-225 to the Humboldt County Office of Elections.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Arcata Fire Protection District
DISCUSSION:
On July 14, 2020, the Arcata Fire Protection District passed Resolution No. 20-225 which orders a special election relating to special tax measure, in the amount of $2.2 million subject to approval of two-thirds of the votes cast by the qualified electorate. Further, Resolution No. 2020-225 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 Arcata Fire Protection District agrees to reimburse the county for all costs associated with the special election.
The question to be submitted to the voters shall read:
“To continue to provide fire protection services to the communities served by the District, including McKinleyville, Manila, Bayside, Jacoby Creek, and Arcata, by restoring vacant firefighter positions, re-staffing all fire stations, and funding equipment maintenance and replacements, shall the Arcata Fire Protection District Ordinance No. 20-20 increasing the existing special tax rates until June 30, 2030, and raising an estimated $2,200,000 annually with independent citizen oversight, be adopted?”
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Election consolidation will ultimately not impact the General Fund. All funds advanced by the General Fund will be fully reimbursed by the Arcata Fire Protection Services.
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:
Arcata Fire Protection Services
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your board could choose not to approve the special election with the Presidential General Election. This is not recommended as this request is compliant with Elections Code, Section 10403. Additionally, not consolidating the election would require the Office of Elections to conduct multiple elections simultaneously, increasing costs to both the county and district.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution No. 20-225
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A