Title
Receive the District Fiscal Impact Analysis related to the East Garrison Community Services District proposed consolidation with even-year statewide general elections.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive the District Fiscal Impact Analysis related to the East Garrison Community Services District proposed consolidation with even-year statewide general elections.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
When the State Legislature authorized the creation of the East Garrison Community Services District (EGCSD), it allowed the Monterey County Board of Supervisors (BOS) to serve as its initial Board of Directors (BOD). The State Legislature required that the BOS call for an election to determine if the voters within EGCSD wished to establish an independent board when certain triggers are met. On March 1, 2022, the BOS is considering the EGCSD call for an election and further consolidating any future board member elections with the even-year general election schedule.
On September 1, 2015, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 415 into law. SB 415 transitions school and special districts to an even-numbered year general election with the goal of increasing and enhancing voter participation. Pursuant to EC 10404(d), “the elections official shall prepare and transmit to the board of supervisors an impact analysis of the proposed consolidation”. There is no impact to the County General Fund anticipated with this recommendation for this fiscal year. In addition, an impact analysis is required to be presented to each individual special district, in accordance with the attached Exhibit A - District Fiscal Impact Analysis.
Requiring the District to hold any future governing board member elections in the even-numbered year general election would have negligible impact on election systems, including the ballot layout, voting, ballot counting and election reporting systems. There may be an increase in the number of ballot types. Further, adding contests to the even-year election ballot could cause an additional ballot card. This could increase the overall cost of the election, which would then be proportionally distributed among all districts sharing the cost of the election for this area.
The proposed consolidation with an even-numbered year election will have no immediate impact on board members as EGCSD has not yet established reoccurring board member elections.
Elections is recommending that the Board approve the proposed consolidation of the EGCSD’s future board member elections with the even-year general election.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The East Garrison Community Services District is submitting for consideration a resolution requesting governing board member elections be consolidated with even-year general elections. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the proposed resolution.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the County General Fund anticipated with this recommendation for this fiscal year. In addition, an impact analysis is required to be presented to each individual special district, in accordance with the attached Exhibit A - District Fiscal Impact Analysis.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This item is in line with the Board’s vision for providing efficient service and cost neutral administration.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☒ Administration:
Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and
is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and
transparency.
Prepared by: Jessica Cedillo, Assistant Registrar of Voters, Ext. 1499
Approved by: Gina Martinez, Registrar of Voters, Ext. 1499
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Special District Fiscal Impact Analysis