Title
Body
MEMORANDUM
TO: HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Diane C Fridley, Registrar of Voters
DATE: April 10, 2018
SUBJECT: (a) Approve Adams Springs, Buckingham Park, Callayomi County, Clearlake Oaks County, Cobb Area County, Konocti County, Upper Lake County, and Villa Blue Estates Water Districts’ Resolutions to change each District’s Governing Body Member Election from Odd-numbered years to Even-numbered years, and direct the Registrar of Voters to send required Notification to all districts within Lake County on behalf of the Board of Supervisors; and (b) Schedule a Public Hearing for April 24, 2018 at 9:34 a.m. for Public Input
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On September 1 2015, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 415 into law; adding Chapter 1.7 (commencing with section 14050) to Division 14 of the Elections Code known as the “California Voter Participation Rights Act”. The new law requires districts with regularly scheduled odd-year elections which have experienced “significant decrease in voter turnout” in the last regularly scheduled election to adopt a plan to transition to even-numbered year general elections no later than January 1, 2018. Significant decrease in voter turnout is described as voter turnout at least 25% less than the average turnout of previous four statewide general elections.
The County of Lake’s average turnout for the previous four statewide general elections (2016, 2014, 2012, and 2010) is 65%; in comparison, the turnout for the regularly scheduled 2017 election for special districts that went to election was an average of 19.9%, the difference in turnout is 45.1%. Voter turnout for odd year elections in comparison to even year elections consistently yields a difference greater than 25%.
Currently, the Adams Springs Water District, Buckingham Park Water District, Callayomi County Water District, Clearlake Oaks County Water District, Cobb Area County Water District, Konocti County Water District, Upper Lake County Water District, and Villa Blue Estates Water District (“Water Districts”) elect their governing body members in November of odd-numbered years. In order to change from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years, the Board of Directors of the Water Districts must follow the process set forth in Elections Code section 10404.
The Water Districts Board of Directors have adopted a resolution approving the rescheduling of their governing body member elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years; and, the District Board of Directors have requested that your Board approve the consolidation of the Water Districts’ Governing Body Member Elections with the statewide general elections held in even-numbered years. For your Board’s information and review, I am including the resolutions adopted by each district’s Board of Directors: Adams Springs Water District Resolution No. 7-17; Buckingham Park Water District Resolution No. 17-10-01; Callayomi County Water District Resolution No. 17-18-3; Clearlake Oaks County Water District Resolution No. 17-27; Cobb Area County Water District Resolution No. 9-17; Konocti County Water District Resolution No. 17-7; Upper Lake County Water District Resolution No. 2017-03, and Villa Blue Estates Water District Resolution No. 2017-1.
Since the Registrar of Voters office will be conducting the Governing Body Member Elections, I would like to request that your Board direct the Registrar of Voters on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, to notify all of the school and special districts located in Lake County in writing of the receipt of the Water Districts’ resolutions to consolidate with the statewide general election and request input from each district on the effect of consolidation if any.
Elections Code section 10404 requires a public notice of the proceedings before your Board pursuant to section 25151 of the Government Code in which the named Water Districts’ requests to consolidate each District’s Governing Body Member Election with the statewide general election held in even-numbered years is considered for approval by your Board. The Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 9:34 a.m.
FISCAL IMPACT: __ None __Budgeted __Non-Budgeted
Estimated Cost:
Amount Budgeted:
Additional Requested:
Annual Cost (if planned for future years):
FISCAL IMPACT (Narrative):
The only cost that will be incurred by this office at this time will be the cost of notifying all of the school and special districts in writing of the Water Districts’ proposal to change each District’s Governing Body Member Election from odd-numbered year elections to even-numbered year elections. Any costs incurred by this office will be billed to each of the named Water Districts.
Attachments: Adams Springs Water District Resolution No. 7-17
Buckingham Park Water District Resolution No. 17-10-01
Callayomi County Water District Resolution No. 17-18-3
Clearlake Oaks County Water District Resolution No. 17-27
Cobb Area County Water District Resolution No. 9-17
Konocti County Water District Resolution No. 17-7
Upper Lake County Water District Resolution No. 2017-03
Villa Blue Estates Water District Resolution No. 2017-1
Sample Letter of Notification to Districts
STAFFING IMPACT (if applicable):
None
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
(a) Approve Adams Springs, Buckingham Park, Callayomi County, Clearlake Oaks County, Cobb Area County, Konocti County, Upper Lake County, and Villa Blue Estates Water Districts’ Resolutions to change each District’s Governing Body Member Election from Odd-numbered years to Even-numbered years, and direct the Registrar of Voters to send required Notification to all districts within Lake County on behalf of the Board of Supervisors; and (b) Schedule a Public Hearing for April 24, 2018 at 9:34 a.m. for Public Input