ITEM: ACTION ITEMS

21. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF BALLOT MEASURE(S) LANGUAGE, REVIEW AND APPROVE TEXT OF INITIATIVE ORDINANCE, AND APPROVE ACTION TO SET ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2003 ALL-MAIL BALLOT ELECTION

Meeting Date: July 21, 2003 Budgeted: N/A

Program/Line Item No.: N/A

Staff Contact: Fran Farina Cost Estimate: N/A

General Counsel: N/A

Committee Recommendation: N/A

CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The Ad-Hoc Elections Committee composed of Directors Henson, Erickson, and Edwards met twice, once on June 24, 2003 and again on July 10, 2003. District Counsel David C. Laredo was present for the June 24 meeting.

Counsel Laredo prepared examples of alternate ballot language to facilitate discussion that are attached as Exhibit 21-A. A majority of the committee recommends no ballot measure.

The Elections Department deadline for special district resolutions is July 24,2003. Therefore, the Board would have to take action at this meeting to meet the election deadline.

FISCAL IMPACT: The District has attempted to secure figures from the Elections Department if multiple questions are included. The information for both printing and postage expenses was not available in time to be incorporated in this staff note. Staff shall attempt to have the figures available by the July 21 meeting.

ACTION: The Board should determine whether it will adopt a resolution required by the Elections Department (Exhibit 21-B), and authorize the Acting General Manager to take all other actions necessary to place the measure. on the ballot, including the execution of agreements with the Registrar of Voters to act as the elections official to conduct the election and count ballots.