Staff Report
City Council
Item No. {{section.number}}.A
Meeting Date: December 10, 2024
From: Tracey Hermosillo, City Clerk
Title: Declaration of Results for the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election RECOMMENDATION:
To adopt a Resolution declaring the results of the November 5, 2024, election as certified by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters.
BACKGROUND:
A general municipal election was held on November 5, 2024, in the City of Cathedral City. The purpose of this election was to do the following:
•Elect two (2) Council Seats by District (District 1 and District 2), each with a four-year term.
•Submitting to the qualified electors a Ballot Measure to adopt an Ordinance increasing the City’s Transactions and Use Tax by one-half cent, known as “Measure W”.
DISCUSSION:
The Riverside County Registrar of Voters conducted the election and subsequently provided a complete canvass and certification of the results.
The election results provided by the Registrar of Voters are summarized as follows:
City Council Election Results – District 1
Rita Lamb – 1,941 votes, 65.66 %
Michael Hayes – 621 votes, 21.01%
Mark Scharaga – 394 votes, 13.33 %
Total Votes Cast: 2,956
Registered Voter Turnout: 69.99% (4,778 Registered Voters) City Council Election Results – District 2
Nancy Ross – 2,611 votes, 100%
Total Votes Cast: 2,611
Registered Voter Turnout: 71.84% (4,677 Registered Voters) Measure W Election Results
Votes Received:
Yes: 13,450 votes, 73.54 %
No: 4,839 votes, 26.46 %
Total Votes Cast: 18,289
Registered Voter Turnout: 69.40% (28,204 Registered Voters) In accordance with state law, the City Council is required to officially declare the results of the November 5, 2024, election, as certified by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. The attached Resolution formally confirms the election of the following individuals to the City Council, each for a full four-year term ending in December 2028:
District 1: Rita Lamb
District 2: Nancy Ross
The following question, designated as Measure W, was presented to registered Cathedral City voters in the November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election:
YES
Cathedral City Services Measure. Shall the measure providing funding for Cathedral City’s general services such as maintaining 911 medical emergency/ambulance/fire/police response and gang prevention programs; recruiting/retaining well-trained paramedics/firefighters; repairing streets/potholes; preparing for/responding to and recovering from rainstorms/natural disasters; keeping public areas/parks safe/clean; addressing homelessness; by increasing sales tax by ½¢ providing $5,000,000 annually until ended by voters; requiring audits, spending disclosure, funds locally controlled, be adopted?
NO
The vote requirement for Measure W to pass was a simple majority (50%+1) of the votes cast. With the number of votes in support of Measure W reaching 69.40 %, the measure passes. The Ordinance shall become operative as the result of the majority of the electors voting yes on the submitted Ballot Measure known as “Measure W” and Ordinance 881 shall go into effect ten (10) days after the date of which the election results are declared by the City Council (December 10, 2024).
Attached for your consideration is a Resolution satisfying the requirements to declare the results of the election and authorize the swearing-in of the elected officials. Also attached are “Exhibit A” the certified Election Results and “Exhibit B” Ordinance 881 increasing the City’s Transaction and Use Tax by one-half cent.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Declaring the Results of the November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election
2. Exhibit A Certified Election Results
3. Exhibit B Ordinance 881