Title
Consider Adopting a Resolution to:
a. Call for the election on the Childcare Initiative and approve the Ballot Question; and
b. Order Consolidation with the Statewide General Election on November 8, 2022.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to:
a. Call for the election on the Childcare Initiative and approve the Ballot Question; and
b. Order Consolidation with the Statewide General Election on November 8, 2022.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
A petition was submitted to the Elections Department in support of an initiative to provide dedicated, locally controlled funding to increase and improve licensed childcare and early learning opportunities. This initiative would be funded by an annual special parcel tax in the amount of forty-nine dollars ($49) on each parcel of real property located within Monterey County, with limited exceptions, for ten (10) years. Revenue collected would be held in a special fund to be used solely to address the shortage of affordable childcare and early learning opportunities in Monterey County. The Monterey County Children and Families Commission, otherwise commonly known as First 5 Monterey County, would develop, administer, and oversee a Program Plan and Budget, and the Board of Supervisors would allocate the revenue from the special tax to the Commission for that purpose. A Citizens Oversight Committee would advise and make recommendations to First 5 regarding the Program and Budget, and an annual report on the implementation of the Program would be required. The Program would be subject to annual audits by the Monterey County Auditor - Controller, which would be presented to the Board of Supervisors. The initiative measure would require a majority vote of the electorate.
The petition was filed with the Monterey County Elections Office on June 7, 2022, and was found to contain the required number of signatures pursuant to Elections Code section 9118, which requires the initiative petition to be signed by not less than 10% of the entire votes cast in the county for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election preceding the publication of the notice of intention to circulate an initiative petition, and the Statement of Votes Cast for the November 6, 2018. Therefore, pursuant to California Elections Code section 9118, the petition qualifies for further action by the Board of Supervisors.
On July 12, 2022, the Board of Supervisors received the County Registrar’s Certification of the Results of the Examination of Signatures for the petition, qualifying the initiative for the ballot. After an initiative qualifies for the ballot, there are succeeding procedures that are designed to place it (an Initiative Measure at that point) on the ballot and provide informational material to the electorate. Placing the Initiative Measure on the ballot requires the Board to “call” for the election and to “consolidate” the Initiative Measure with the Statewide November election. Also required is the drafting of a ballot question. Finally, attached for the Board of Supervisors to consider is a resolution calling for and consolidating the election, and approving the ballot question. At this time, we recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution approving the ballot question submitted by County Counsel, as well as calling and consolidating the election.
Further, a significant amount of information for and against the Initiative Measure will be presented to the public and may be part of the voter guide, such as ballot arguments. Elected officials may voice support or opposition and even author the ballot arguments. Elections Code section 9162 allows the Board of Supervisors to designate one or more Supervisors to sign either an argument in favor or against the initiative, and their respective rebuttal arguments, on behalf of the Board. Individual Supervisors may also choose to sign. This action is not mandatory, and the Board may decline to authorize signatures. Please be aware that public money shall not be used to endorse or oppose a ballot measure, except for cost of the election. Public money, however, may be spent on neutral educational materials and presentations.
Lastly, pursuant to Elections Code section 13119, ballots used when voting on an Initiative Measure, proposed by a local governing body or submitted to the voters as an Initiative Measure and, where the proposed Initiative Measure imposes a tax or raises the rate of tax, must include, in the statement of the Initiative Measure to be voted on, the amount of money to be raised annually and the rate and duration of the tax to be levied.
Pursuant to Monterey County Board Policy G-09, the Auditor-Controller will prepare a fiscal impact statement addressing the fiscal impact requirements to be brought back to the County Elections Department no later than by August 12, 2022.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report was coordinated with the Registrar of Voters.
FINANCING:
The costs associated with preparation of any impact reports will be financed by FY 23/24 budget appropriations.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This item is in line with the Board’s vision for providing efficient service and cost neutral administration.
__Economic Development
X_Administration
__Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Leslie J. Girard, County Counsel
Approved by: Charles J. McKee, County Administrative Officer
Attachments: Resolution calling for and consolidating the election and approving the Ballot Question