Attachment 5
Resolution No. 2026-xx Page 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-xx
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA,
CALIFORNIA PROVIDING FOR THE FILING OF REBUTTAL ARGUMENTS FOR CITY
MEASURES SUBMITTED AT MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
WHEREAS, California Elections Code Section 9282 provides for the filing of written arguments in favor or against city measures not to exceed 300 words in length; and
WHEREAS, California Elections Code Section 9285 authorizes the City Council, by majority vote, to adopt provisions to provide for the filing of rebuttal arguments for city measures submitted at municipal elections;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA , CALIFORNIA DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to California Elections Code section 9285, when the elections official has selected arguments for and against the measure which will be printed and distributed to the voters, the elections official shall send a copy of an argument in favor of the proposition to the authors of any argument against the measure and a copy of an argument against the measure to the authors of any argument in favor of the measure immediately upon receiving the arguments.
The author or a majority of the authors of an ar gument relating to a city measure may prepare and submit a rebuttal argument not exceeding 250 words or may authorize in writing any other person or persons to prepare, submit or sign the rebuttal argument.
No more than five authors may sign a rebuttal argument.
The rebuttal arguments shall be filed with the City Clerk, signed, with the printed names and signatures of the authors submitting it, or if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers, not more than 10 days after the final date for filing direct arguments. The rebuttal arguments shall be accompanied by the Form of Statement To Be Filed By Authors of Argument.
Rebuttal arguments shall be printed in the same manner as the direct arguments.
Each rebuttal argument shall immediately follow the direct argument which it seeks to rebut.
SECTION 2. This resolution repeals previous resolutions providing for the filing of rebuttal arguments for city measures, except for referendum measures.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON JULY 21, 2026.
____________________________
John Stephens, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________ _______________________________ Brenda Green, City Clerk Kimberly Hall Barlow City Attorney
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that foregoing Resolution No. 2026-xx was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting held on the 21 st day of July, 2026, by the
following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the City of Costa Mesa this 22nd day of July, 2026.
_________________________________
BRENDA GREEN, CITY CLERK