HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11122013 - C.69RECOMMENDATION(S):
REFER to the Finance Committee a proposal to initiate a voter education and information pilot program to create
opportunities for the public to become more informed, aware, and involved with current civic issues and to foster a
culture of civic responsibility and engagement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct cost related to examination of the proposal by the Committee. The estimated $325,000 cost of the
proposed program would be funded within the authorized Clerk-Recorder budget from cost efficiencies achieved in
the elections process.
BACKGROUND:
The Elections Division has regularly reached out to the community to recruit and retain poll workers, to increase
voter registration, and to ensure accessibility to the electoral process. While these efforts are necessary and important,
they are limited and do not go far enough to foster a culture of civic responsibility and engagement that endures
beyond the election season. I am proposing to institute a voter and community education program that leverages as
many existing resources as possible to promote volunteerism, participation in government and community
organizations, and civic responsibility. These resources include other public agencies and, where appropriate, service
clubs, schools, business and labor organizations, as well as the local media. The program would involve schools via
the web-based iCivics instructional program, which provides free video games to teach students about the
Constitution and Bill of Rights, the three branches of government and
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 11/12/2013 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: Joseph E. Canciamilla
925.335.XXXX
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: November 12, 2013
, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: Stephanie L. Mello, Deputy
cc: CAO - Muni Svcs, County Finance Director, Clerk-Recorder
C. 69
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Joseph E. Canciamilla, Clerk-Recorder
Date:November 12, 2013
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:REFERRAL TO FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTER EDUCATION AND INFORMATION PROPOSAL
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
the concept of Separation of Powers, governmental budgeting, and citizenship and participation.
The program is proposed as short-term pilot program with an objective of phasing out the program as community
efforts are phased in. Because the program would require a redirection of budgetary appropriations within the
Clerk-Recorder Department, I am asking that my proposal be referred to the Board's Finance Committee for
preliminary review, ideally, in December.