Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, July 07, 2020
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER PLACING ONE OR MORE BALLOT MEASURES ON THE NOVEMBER 3, 2020 REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION
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I. SUMMARY
For a ballot measure to be placed on the November 3, 2020 Regular Municipal Election, the City Council must call the election on the ballot measure by August 7, 2020. To assure that there is adequate time for the City Council to deliberate in time to meet this deadline, Mayor Robles has asked that this item be agendized for today’s meeting.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
DISCUSS and PROVIDE direction to the City Attorney and the City Manager to prepare the appropriate materials for one or more ballot measures to be considered by the City Council for placement on the November 3, 2020 Regular Municipal Election.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
PROVIDE any other direction to staff related to this item.
IV. BACKGROUND
If the City Council has an interest in presenting one or more ballot measures to the voters on the November 3, 2020 Regular Municipal Election, to meet applicable deadlines, the City Council is asked to provide staff direction at this meeting or shortly thereafter on which ballot measures it would like to consider.
There are various reasons the City Council may wish to put a ballot measure before the public. If there was an interest in amending the City Charter, it must be done by putting a ballot measure before the voters for their consideration. For example, if there is a desire to ask our residents to consider the banning of Safe and Sane Fireworks, that would require a Charter amendment that must be done by having them vote on a ballot measure.
Another reason to call for the election on a ballot measure would be to ask voters to consider additional revenue sources for the City to enhance the level of service on such things as street and sidewalk maintenance, and public health and safety. Revenue measures may include but are not limited to an increase in Sales Tax, a Sales Tax that would only go into effect if another government entity or Special District would otherwise collect new sales taxes from Carson residents (aka “a blocking sales tax”), an increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax, a truck tax, a cannabis tax, and a renewal of the Utility Users Tax.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Depending on the specific ballot measure(s) under consideration, there could be either a positive or negative impact on the City’s General Fund. If a ballot measure were to eliminate a funding source, that would negatively impact the City’s revenue stream. If, on the other hand, the ballot measure resulted in a new revenue source or increased the amount to be collected from an existing revenue source, that would have a positive impact on the City’s revenue stream. Once a ballot measure or measures are identified, staff will analyze their fiscal impact on the General Fund.
VI. EXHIBITS
Prepared by: Sharon L. Landers, City Manager