Report Prepared by: John Tresidder, Assistant City Clerk, City Clerk's Office
Title
SUBJECT: Report - Discussion and Timelines for Placing Charter Amendments and Ballot Measures on 2020 Elections
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers placing Charter Amendments and different Ballot Measures on elections scheduled for 2020.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide staff with direction on placing Charter Amendments and/or ballot measures on either the March or November 2020 elections.
Body
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter - Section 200 and Article X. - Elections
DISCUSSION
At the March 18, 2019 Council Meeting, at Mayor Murphy's request, Council directed staff to research timelines and process for placing potential Charter Amendments on the March 2020 Primary Election. In addition to the 2020 Primary, the City Council may be asked to place potential ballot measures on the November 3, 2020 General Election to help in funding the construction and renovation of several buildings throughout the City. In addition to capital needs throughout the City, the City Council could also consider the extension of Measure C, a general fund 1/2 cent sales tax measure that is scheduled to sunset in 2026.
Charter Amendment
The most recent Charter Amendments went to a vote of the people in 2013 (odd to even election years) and 2014 (District based elections). The last comprehensive review of the Charter that included a Council Appointed Charter Review Committee was in 2007. The process at that time included Council appointment of the committee, time for the committee to review and report their findings to the Council and ultimately having the Council put three measures on the ballot to amend the Charter. The entire process took approximately 8 months to complete.
Based on the deadline calendar provided by the Registrar of Voters (attached) for the March 3, 2020 Primary Election, that leaves approximately 5 months to complete the same process. The deadline to submit ballot measures for the March e...
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