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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 08041998 - D7 r •�yt4 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: STEVE WEIR, County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters DATE: July 16, 1998 SUBJECT: N t7 ELECTIONS TH STAIEWIDE GENERAL ELECT-IONS SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECO YIMEND ON: 1. APPROVE requests of to consolidate elections with Statewide General Elections subject to item 6 (below), amortization of mail inserter equipment costs for Liberty Union High School District, Orinda Union School District, Brentwood Union School District, Walnut Creek School District, City of Pittsburg, City of Concord, and Pittsburg Unified School District. 2. FIND that the Clerk-Recorder has made progress over the past year that will accommodate consolidations in the following ways: a. The increased number of ballot cards will require additional vote counter stations. Due to space limitations and the capacity of the current Data General computer, the Clerk has secured 6 additional machines from Multnomah County, Oregon for 20%of new cost. In addition, the Clerk has acquired a P.C. based tally system(B.C. WIN) that will allow for these machines to be used. (This option was not available in 1997. Contra Costa was the first county to try this system out. It has since been successfully certified by the Secretary of State and installed in Riverside County.) 3. CONSIDER the following qualitative issues which are expected to result from the requested consolidation(s): a. im Iona. With the new B.C. WIN system and a new streamlined ballet delivery system,ballots will arrive and be counted quicker than in the past. It should be noted that with consolidation, a slower vote count will take place than without consolidation. b. A rg'.�. More staffing will be needed to run consolidated elections. However, the demand for that staff will go down in odd numbered years. We are concerned about having trained temporary staff. Mr. Denton believes that we can bring on temporary staff early enough to train them for each election. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT:,X YES SIGNATURE: —RECOMMENDATION OF CO'U`NTY ADMINISTRATOR, RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMIT TEE -APPROVE —OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON °zgus t 4, 1998 APPROVE AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER VOTE Or SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE } AND CORRECT CONY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES:---j O� B� NOES: ) OF SUPERVAND ISORS ON THED ON THEINIDATI SHO OwN BOARD ABSENT, ABSTAIN: - - ATTESTED Phil Batchelo„Clerk of the Board of cc: County Clerk–Electioi is supervisor T outtty Administrator County Counsel nyA44 County Ad,�:inistrator° BY , / DEPUTY S Page 2, attachment to Board Order Juiy 16, 199& Election Consolidation Request C. yotgr I=aQt. While turnout at a general election is higher than the turnout at an"off year" election,high voter turnout and long ballots result in long lines at the polls and"voter drop-off'towards the end of the ballot and on issues on the backs of some ballot cards. Many voters have chosen to vote absentee as an attractive alternative to waiting in long lines at the polls. Providing absentee ballots is a costly alternative as the County must process the application,mail the ballots, and process the returned ballots, which includes checking the signature on every ballot returned. The inevitable increase in absentee ballots will exacerbate the already lengthy time it takes to determine the official results of an election. The tallying of absentee ballots delays the official canvass and, in the case of a close race, (as the one that occurred in the 1996 General Election)can leave the winner undetermined for several weeks. d. Long-Rangy g-stali Space can Q vital PlauWhng. The Elections Office has gone through a lengthy and successful reorganization. Defining areas of responsibility and providing additional training have resulted in a more professional office. Long term space needs are being addressed at this time although there is not a defined solution at this time. With the new B.C. WIN tally system and the potential for moving towards a P.C. based election operation,we feel comfortable that we will not need to replace our election software or our hardware in the foreseeable future. 4. ACKNOWLEDGE that the Clerk-Recorder attempted to find a way to "Work with local agencies to develop a fee structure that does not penalize agencies which choose to hold elections in the odd-numbered years." While this issue was a directive of a 1997 Board Order, County Counsel has found that the Clerk cannot structure a pricing mechanism that would favor one election year over another. 5. ACKNOWLEDGE that with consolidations off of odd numbered years onto even numbered years, revenues will go down significantly for odd year elections and will go up slightly for even numbered year elections. (This issue will not have an impact on budget years 1997-98 nor 1998-99. The first impact will be noticed in budget year 1999- 2000. It is not possible to determine the impact at this time until the full impact of consolidation is considered. However, it is safe to assume that when a major district moves its election off of the November,odd numbered year, any district that remains on that ballot will have to pay a higher election charge. There will be increased pressures for many districts to follow suit and request consolidation.) 6. ACKNOWLEDGE amortization of the cost of equipment identified in item 1 (above) over a five year period(Elections it,November, 2000, 2002, and 2004) and the spread of those costs among those agencies seeking consolidation off of November, odd numbered years onto November, even numbered years. This funding proposal was approved by the Board of Supervisors on March 24, 1998. 13ACKN GROJ&D-z After lengthy discussions in March, 1997, the Board denied eight requests for consolidation upon the recommendation of the Clerk-Recorder. The Board directed the Clerk to work with the districts to see if a way could be found to equalize costs between even and odd years. Based upon a November, 1997 County Counsel Opinion, the Clerk and the County are restricted in the manner in which election billings can be formulated, The Board also asked the Clerk-Recorder to review capital and space requirements. The Clerk has determined that with the exception of expanding the inserting capacity of the Elections Office, all other concerns have been, or will be addressed. Now Liberty Union High School District, Orinda Union School District, Brentwood Union School District,Walnut Creek School District, City of Pittsburg, City of Concord, and Pittsburg Unified School District have formally, and several cities, special, and school districts have informally approached our office about requesting consolidation onto the November, even number year elections. REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before addressing the Berard. Names Phone: Address: City: ria I an speaking for myself _� or organizations (nam of organization) CHECK ONE: I wish to speak on Agenda Item Bate: a My comments will be: general for against I wish to speak on the subject of I do not wish to speak but leave these corLments for the Board to considers REQUEST TO SPEAK Fi3RM � (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum- ore addressin the Board. Nance: � � �# Phones � �e 7, v � Address: t` r I ars speaking for myself ,, or organization: `ted (nerals of organization) CHECX ONE: �¢ 11N I wish to speak on Agenda Item # , LL Date My comments will be: general for against I wish to speak on the subject of I der not wish to speak but leave thesis: comments for the Board to considers RECEIVED WALNUT GREEK MAY 1. 4 1898 SCHOOL DISTRICT CLERK BOARD Or-SUFM-IRVISORs 9603 YBnado Valley Road CONTRA CosTA CCS. Walnut geek,CA 94596 925/944-6850 Fax 925/944-1 768 May 13, 1998 GOVERNING BOARD jearrnle C.Langon, President Sara C.Newell,Clerk Arbur X Clarke Ann Gernend Flynn The Honorable Jiro stagers, Chair and. Dan B.Walder Members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors 651 Pine Street, Room 106 SUPER 41V4MENT Martinez, CA 94553 N1ic,'•rael le Sa Re. Request for Consolidation of Elections SCAMS Dear Chair Rogers and Members of the Board of Supervisors: Buena Vista Elementary 2355 San jean Avenue Walnut Creep,CA 94596 On May 4, 19984 the Governing Board of the Walnut Creek School District 9Zs 22 unanimously approved Resolution 97-15 to consolidate its Board elections with Fax 925/934-89037 e statewide general elections held on even-numbered years. The resolution is enclosed irrdianMarse-y o�� laii Elementary 551 � for approval by the Board of Supervisors. Walnut Creek,CA 94598 925/944-68228 if you have any questions,please call my office at 944-6850, extension 101. fax 925/935-109s Mum Elementary Sincerely, 2050 Vanderslice Avenue Walnut Creek,CA 94596 I `' 925/54334462Fax 92 A"e �, a Parkmead Elementary y Michael De Sa Warn�Cmek,CA 94595 Superintendent 925 58 fax 925/939-2849 j1/jjjJdpa Walnut lets Elementary Enclosure 4,064 Walnut Boulevard cc: Stephen L. Weir, Walnut Creek,CA 94.596 925/94434 County Clerk-Recorder fax 925/934-06 Walnut Creek Intennedlate 2425 Walnut Boulevard Walnut G-eek,CA 94596 925/944-6840 fax 925/933-19.22 I WA1,JNU'T CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT Walnut Creek,California RESOLUTION-11 97-15 RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE WALNUT CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION OF GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER ELECTION In the matter of consolidation of the Walnut Creek School District Governing Board member election of November 2, 1999, with the General Election of November 7,2000° WHEREAS,Education Code 5000.5 provides for a school district governing board to request approval from the County Board of Supervisors to consolidate its regular governing board member election with the statewide primary,municipal,or general election, and WHEREAS, no corrective action has been taken to equalize election costs between odd and even-year elections; and WHEREAS, California Elections Code section 10404.5, subdivision (a) provides for a school district governing board to submit to the County Board of Supervisors its resolution to consolidate its regular governing board member election with the statewide general election; and WHEREAS,the Walnut Creek School District Governing Board believes that it is in the best interests of the voters of Contra Costa County to change the date of its regular Governing Board member election to be held on the same day as the statewide general election, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Walnut Creek School District Governing Board that the regular Governing Board member election of November 2, 1999, be consolidated with the statewide general election of November 7,2000,and with every statewide general election of even numbered years thereafter. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Governing Board of the Walnut Creek School District at a meeting held on the 4th day of May 1998 by the following vote: AYES: Walden, Clarke,Flynn,Langon,Newell NOES: None ABSEN I T: None I hereby certify that the foregoing is a full,true and correct copy of a resolution duly introduced,passed and adopted at the meeting of the Governing Board of the Walnut Creek School District held on this 4th day of May 1998. MICHAEL DE SA, Superintendent and Secretary of the Governing Board of the Walnut Creek School District of Contra Costa County,State of California �•p( s « Yx J f wi a i } ;.s # ' t f.- # ! + - N f !R 1 ,f. #.*##".E } wi it R #.; !. # 4 # ' R 1i •t i: #'t R A : V: #!t A.' !i�`A � J iR.ibtt #. :,;t : •it f. - # -:;~tl t * t'k *t.t f !!t R :"' p1" fTi.�I ! ft: A' l '#' .:i 1 }R f. t *t# 1' #!k: #Ri u; !# t f J' ♦}' i y, ► TMJ":" i -J' i k**"i f 1 R _ ! it f!: :.i i A*} i _* i ,1 • f! #i fA J M wJ#} i :1 f * f 3# - ♦' i * R : kt :i i .".i .. M J t "'# 'J 1" # i it#!:#t�. t; � #' t' J'i #' t 41►t i t t' ;f###i! "! : k i ♦ .#:J Y" # :-t. * R " .� #�3# ## A# # !it w' =i: t #M `- r• #-' #'M ":t ! - ♦f i J: 1. tf i J t: i s`k ! i !* R 1. iR#! A* k: !' #^ t t #^ " i /.' •: i i#R '# t f i! #. 1 tR w' '* # t *' i s ►6 it t#` w't i i" R ♦"i#.:*. is ,"�* l ; tf #:i ►A # i";' ;dw" J ;,-M*Il �`:#ts' f � ' }' # 3' wf f f ; Rti f* . #' rR ftl #AE: Ali#M ;.t ! # !#f f t<#I M4: A!f �►' �l E�� i• lww"."F i# *+ t^ �r.w-t!! #:::k * ! # i # ftt 1 �* +"✓: *r � 3. `-.! ##!! # # # 3 R w.�n. * t • J#- #.: # !' J* ! :t; I * k' Rt 1. 4t.J: #1! #t 1 #!� !` R ' 1 t }1 t w': t- wR♦#`.. t i' � # #`, M #i*` A RAM . k i' t♦.«#Y♦ t � :! # " # t ii f + ♦' 't # /' # f R !' ' •t+ CONSIDER NTH D" 95,11 —i Atto�ncy ;a y C ane 67141i,,`0 ' July 30, 1998 Honorable.Tim Rogers, Chair, and Members of the Contra. Costa County Board of Supervisors 651 Pine Street, Room 106 Martinez, CA 94553 Re: Request for Consolidation of Election,Agenda for August 4, 1998, Item D.7 Dear Chair Rogers and Members of the Board of Supervisors: At its meeting of July 28, 1998, the Board of Supervisors failed to approve the request from Concord and six other entities to consolidate their local elections with the Statewide General Election. Since only three members of the Board were present, the Board voted to have the item reconsidered at its meeting of August 4, 1998. Concord and the Mt. Diablo School District have traditionaly held their elections together. Last year Concord and the Mt. Diablo School District requested the Board of Supervisors to authorize the consolidation of their election with the Statewide General Election. At that time the Board rejected the request based on a report of the County Clerk stating that the Elections Office could not accommodate additional consolidation requests. The County Clerk has determined that it can now handle additional requests for consolidation. Indeed, on May 5, 1998,the Board of Supervisors approved the requests of the Acalanes School District and Mt. Diablo School District for consolidation of its elections with the Statewide General Election. Concord now seeps to do the same and has submitted this current request for consolidation. California Elections Code §10403,5 provides in relevant part: "Any city ordinance requiring its general municipal election (to be consolidated with the Statewide General Election) shall be approved by the Board of Supervisors unless the ballot style, or any equipment, or computer capability is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled . . . ." (emphasis added). Honorable Jim Rogers, Chair, and Members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors July 30, 1998 Rut—Two Under the law, what is at issue is whether the request for consolidation can be accommodated by the County Elections Office, The County Clerk has indicated that his office has the capacity and ability to handle the additional consolidation requests and has recommended Board approval of the various requests for consolidation. While there may be differing opinions on the issue of conducting local elections along with Statewide elections, the wisdom of moving local elections with Statewide General Elections is not an issue under the relevant statute. Given the County Clerk's determination, we respectfully request that the Board approve the request of the City of Concord (along with the other six entities)to consolidate its local election with the Statewide General Election. Ver .y.truly yours, RICHARD DOYLE City Attorney RD/cls cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council Edward R.Tames, City Manager Vic Westman, County Counsel Superintendent, Liberty Union High School District Superintendent, Orinda Union School District Superintendent, Brentwood School District Superintendent, Walnut Creek School District Superintendent, Pittsburg Unified School District City of Pittsburg, Attn: Michael Woods, City Attorney Rogers Election ConsolidationIx.doe Z", D Cr?��OF�,6hCt7fiI5 CONSIDER W a 1950 Parkside Drive,MS/08 Richard Doyle Concord,Catifcrnia 94519-2578 City Attorney FAX: (.5,10) 671-3469 Mark T.Boee Assistant City Attorney OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY Margaret L.Kotzebue Telephone: (51&) 677-3160 oneord Deputy City Attorney July 30, 1998 Honorable Jim Rogers, Chair, and Members of the Contra Costa County Beard of Supervisors 651 Pine Street,Room. 106 Martinez, CA 94553 Rey Request for Consolidation of Election,Agenda for August 4, 1998, Item D.7 Dear Chair Rogers and Members of the Board of Supervisors. At its meeting of July 28, 1998, the Board of Supervisors failed to approve the request from Concord and six other entities to consolidate their local elections with the Statewide General Election. Since only three members of the Board were present, the Board voted to have the item reconsidered at its meeting of August 4, 1998. Concord and the Mt. Diablo School District have traditionaly held their elections together. Last year Concord and the Mt. Diablo School District requested the Board of Supervisors to authorize the consolidation of their election with the Statewide General Election. At that time the Board rejected the request based on a report of the County Clerk stating that the Elections Office could not accommodate additional consolidation requests. The County Clerk has determined that it can now handle additional requests for consolidation.. Indeed, on May 5, 1998, the Board of Supervisors approved the requests of the Acalanes School District and Mt. Diablo School:District for consolidation of its elections with the Statewide General Election. Concord now seeks to do the same and has submitted this current request for consolidation. California Elections Code §10433.5 provides in relevant part: 44my city ordinance requiring its general municipal election (to be consolidated with the Statewide General Election; shall be approved by the Board of Supervisors unless the ballot style, or any equipment, or computer capability is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled . . . ."(emphasis added). Honorable Jim Rogers, Chair, and Members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors July 34, 1998 Page-Two Under the law, what is at issue is whether the request for consolidation can be accommodated by the County Elections Office. The County Clerk has indicated that his office has the capacity and ability to handle the additional consolidation requests and has recommended Board approval of the various requests for consolidation. While there may be differing opinions on the issue of conducting local elections along with Statewide elections, the wisdom of moving local elections with Statewide General Elections is not an issue under the relevant statute. Given the County Clerk's determination, we respectfully request that the Board approve the request of the City of Concord(along with the other six entities)to consolidate its local election with the Statewide General Election. Very truly yours, F RICHARD DOYLE City Attorney RD/cls cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council Edward R.Jarnes, City Manager Vic Westrnan, County Counsel Superintendent, Liberty Union High School District Superintendent, Orinda Union School District Superintendent, Brentwood School District Superintendent, Walnut Creep School district Superintendent, Pittsburg Unified School District City of Pittsburg, Attn: Michael Woods, City Attorney Rogers Election Consolidation.l#r.doo