ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
2.	CONSIDER ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2005-03 CALLING FOR BOARD MEMBER ELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 8, 2005 WITHIN VOTER DIVISIONS 1 AND 2, AND AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS TO CONDUCT THE ELECTION
Meeting Date:			June 20, 2005	Budgeted:	FY 2005-06 Budget
From:			David A. Berger,	Program/	Election Expense
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Arlene Tavani	Cost Estimate:	$33,100
General Counsel Approval: Yes
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on June 9, 2005 and recommended ___________________.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: A MPWMD Board of Directors general election will be conducted on November 8, 2005. Two Board positions are scheduled for election, one each from Voter Divisions 1 and 2 (refer to map included as Exhibit 2-B). The Directors whose terms expire in November 2005 are Alvin Edwards, Division 1 and Judi Lehman, Division 2. The Monterey County Elections Department requires that the District approve a resolution calling for the election, and submit it to their office by July 6, 2001. The resolution is attached as Exhibit 2-A. The Elections Department has advised that its estimated cost to conduct the election in Voter Divisions 1 and 2 is $33,100. The Department has also confirmed that the election will not be an all-mail ballot, since a statewide special election is anticipated on November 8.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board adopt the resolution requested by the County Elections Department and submitted as Exhibit 2-A, so that it may be transmitted to the Elections Department before July 6, 2005. In addition, the Board should authorize an expenditure equal to the County Elections Department’s actual cost to conduct the election in Divisions 1 and 2, which it estimates at $33,100.

BACKGROUND: Interested persons may file for candidacy at the Monterey County Elections Department in Salinas. The filing period opens on July 18, 2005 and closes on August 12, 2005. If an incumbent in one of the voter divisions does not file for candidacy, the filing period in that division will be extended from August 13 through August 17, 2005.

The County Elections Department will not assess a candidate filing fee; however, the candidate will be responsible to pay fees for submission of a candidate’s statement that vary depending on the number of voters within each division and the number of words contained in the statement. The fee to file a 400-word candidate statement for Division 1 is $372 if submitted electronically, and $422 if a hard copy is submitted. For Division 2, the fee is $366 if submitted electronically, and $451 if a hard copy is submitted.

IMPACTS ON STAFF/RESOURCES: On June 2, 2005 the County Elections Department provided an updated estimate of $33,100 for its cost to conduct the Divisions 1 and 2 election, which is based on a charge of $2 per voter. The estimated cost for District 1 is $15,400 and for District 2 the estimated cost is $17,700. This reflects the Department’s cost to print election materials such as the voter pamphlet. The final cost to the District could be higher depending on the amount of information that must be printed. This is the only expense the District will incur in connection with the election.

The $30,000 included in the Fiscal Year 2005-2006 proposed Budget to fund the election was based on prior years’ experience. Given the County Elections Department’s latest cost estimate, $35,000 is included as a proposed budget adjustment for this account in the 2005-06 Budget adoption item on this Board meeting agenda.

EXHIBITS

2-A Resolution No. 2005-03 Calling for Board Member Elections on November 8, 2005

within Voter Divisions 1 and 2

2-B Map of Voter Division Boundaries

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