Report Prepared by: Stephanie Dietz, City Manager; and Jennifer Levesque, Assistant City Clerk
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Resolutions to Call for a General Municipal Election for the Three Members of the City Council by District on November 8, 2022 and Placing a Proposed Ballot Measure to Extend the Half-Cent Sales Tax without a Sunset Date and Requesting Consolidation with the Gubernatorial General Election to be Conducted by the County of Merced
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving Resolutions Calling November 8, 2022 General Municipal Election for the three Council Members of the City Council by district and placing a proposed Ballot Measure to end the sunset date on the half-cent sales tax and requesting the County Board of Supervisors consolidate the City's election with the Gubernatorial Election being held on the same date.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a Motion:
A. Adopting Resolution 2022-42 , a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, calling a General Municipal Election for the election of Members of the City Council; requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Merced, California, to provide for the consolidation of a general municipal election with the Gubernatorial General Election on November 8, 2022, and to authorize the County Election Services to render specific services to the City of Merced relating to the General Municipal Election; establishing candidate statement requirements; and determining the tie-breaking method; and,
B. Adopting Resolution 2022-43, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, calling for a General Municipal Election to be held on November 8, 2022, to present to voters a measure known as the Merced Vital City Services Protection Measure to continue the City’s general transaction (sales) and use tax at the rate of one-half percent (0.50%) until ended by the voters; and requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Merced, California, to provide for the consolidation of a general municipal election with the Gubernatorial of a General Election on November 8, 2022, and to authorize the County Election Services to render specific services to the City of Merced relating to the General Municipal Election; and,
C. Directing the City Manager/City Clerk and the City Attorney’s Office to execute documents appropriate to carry out the tasks necessary for the General Municipal Election and to take actions related thereto; and,
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Sections 400 and 1000; and,
California Elections Code Section 10403; and,
Merced Municipal Code 3.38.025.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
City Council Goals and Priorities 2022-2023 - Public Safety.
DISCUSSION
In the 2005 election, the voters elected to increase the City’s sales tax by adding a general transaction (sales) and use tax at the rate of one-half cent (0.50%) for twenty years. The sunset date of that half-cent sales tax in 2026, this proposed ballot measure will continue the half-cent sales tax and extend the measure without a sunset date and until ended by the voters.
Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council call for the General Municipal Election for the election of three members of the City Council on November 8, 2022 and consolidate the General Municipal Election with the Gubernatorial Election on November 8, 2022, per the two resolutions at Attachments 1 and 2.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
It is estimated by the Registrar of Voters that the Municipal Election will cost approximately $50,000 to $80,000. The fiscal year 2022-23 budget included $80,000 for an anticipated election.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2022-42 (Calling/Consolidating the Election)
2. Resolution 2022-43 (Calling/Consolidating the Election for a Measure Ballot)