ITEM:

ACTION ITEM

 

31.

CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS TO CONTRACT WITH LAPKOFF AND GOBALET DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH TO PROVIDE DEMOGRAPHIC REDISTRICTING SERVICES

 

Meeting Date:
June 21, 2021

Budgeted: 

Yes

 

From:

David J. Stoldt,

Program/

N/A

 

General Manager

Line Item No.:     N/A

 

Prepared By:

David J. Stoldt

Cost Estimate:

Up to $52,000

 

General Counsel Review:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  N/A

CEQA Compliance:  This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines section 15378

 

SUMMARY:   As a result of the 2020 census, the District’s voter division boundaries must be reassessed for balance and to comply with the requirements of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, and the California Elections Code.  After the 2010 Census, the District hired a firm to evaluate our election division boundaries and found them to be sufficiently balanced, so no boundary changes were made.

 

It is time now to plan for adjusting the Director division boundaries using Census 2020 population counts.  It is a good idea to begin the redistricting project now because:

 

  1. The Monterey County Registrar has instructed the District and other special districts in the County to undertake the process;
  2. Delays in the release of Census data have reduced the time available for consultants to do their work; and
  3. New state laws (for cities and counties) emphasize more public outreach, which the District may wish to embrace.

 

The District utilized Lapkoff and Gobalet Demographic Research ten years ago and had a very favorable experience.  The firm was asked to provide a proposal to the District, which is attached as Exhibit 31-A.

 

The proposal includes three options:  (i) Option 1 (fee $15,000, plus meeting costs) if no adjustment is needed because the 2020 Director Division populations are still balanced; (ii)  Option 2 (fee is $25,000, plus meeting costs) if only a few minor adjustments (“technical adjustments”) are needed to balance the current Director Division 2020 Census populations; and (iii) Option 3 (fee is $45,000, plus meeting costs and optional online map drawing tools) – the standard fee for adjusting all Director Division boundaries as needed to balance 2020 total population counts, drafting and revising plans (some changes may result from public comment).   It also includes working closely with the Registrar of Voters to implement the adopted plan and providing maps and GIS files to the District and Registrar.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  It is recommended the Board authorize entering a contract with Lapkoff and Gobalet Demographic Research in an amount not to exceed $52,000 for Option 3 fees, meeting costs, and GIS expenses if necessary.

 

EXHIBIT

31-A    Lapkoff and Gobalet Demographic Research Proposal

 

 

 

 

 

 

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