REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by:Candice Alvarez, MMC, City Clerk
Date:August 13, 2024
Subject:Withdrawal of Ballot Measure from the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election
Recommendation
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE
CITY OF A CERTAIN MEASURE RELATING TO WHETHER THE CITY TREASURER
POSITION SHOULD BE APPOINTIVE AT THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 AS CALLED BY RESOLUTION NO. 2024-11.
Background
On April 23, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-11 calling for the holding of a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 to elect City Council Members for Districts 2, 4, and 5 and the City Treasurer, and placing a Measure on the ballot to consider whether to change the City Treasurer position from elective to appointive.
As outlined in the April 23, 2024 Staff Report, the Mayor’s 2004 Electoral Reform Ad Hoc Committee and former Elected City Treasurer Baldwin favored elimination of the elected position and advocated changing the City Treasurer to an appointed position to ensure that a qualified and experienced municipal finance and municipal accounting professional fills the position. With those considerations in mind, the City Council approved placing the Measure on the November 2024 ballot for consideration by the electorate.
2024 Ballot Measure Withdrawal
Discussion
While the question of whether the City Treasurer should be an appointed position must be presented to the electorate, the timing of the proposed ballot Measure merits reconsideration.
Comprehensive public outreach and education efforts are essential to provide residents with clear and detailed information about the proposed change. Additional time is necessary to meet those objectives and ensure that the electorate fully understands the implications of changing the City Treasurer position from elective to appointive. Moreover, including this Measure on the current ballot alongside the City Treasurer contest may cause confusion among voters. By postponing the ballot measure to a future election, the City Council can minimize voter confusion and engage in town hall meetings, informational sessions, and communication efforts designed to educate the electorate. This approach will help garner informed opinions and support, ultimately leading to a more democratic and transparent decision-making process.
Fiscal Impact
Removing the ballot measure from the upcoming election would result in approximately $38,000 in savings for the City in the current Fiscal Year.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Resolution
City Clerk's Office