COUNCIL AGENDA: 4/12/2022
ITEM: 3.4
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Councilmember Jimenez
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: April 11, 2022
Approved Date: 4/11/2022
SUBJECT: Oppose the Valley Water District Measure Extending Term Limits for Board Members
RECOMMENDATION
Decline to take a position on the Valley Water ballot measure.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
While I appreciate the analysis provided in Councilmember Mahan’s memorandum, I disagree with involving the City in this political dispute and instead recommend a sober and pragmatic response.
As a practical matter, the deadline for Valley Water to withdraw the measure has passed, and the expenditure to place it on the ballot has been made. A resolution in opposition cannot change this.
The City will not be investing resources to defeat the measure, nor will it mount an information campaign to educate voters about it. However, as individual members of the Council and as local leaders, we retain the discretion to take personal positions and invest our own money and time in campaigning for or against measures placed on the ballot by other jurisdictions.
Finally, and most importantly, we set a problematic precedent in taking a position on a measure that has no material impact on the City. How would we respond if another jurisdiction adopted a resolution in opposition to our June 2018 Measure C, or our 2020 Measure E?
While highlighting our disagreement with another independently elected body may feel good -- and perhaps even help achieve personal political ambitions -- this action would only further erode already strained relations without providing any tangible benefit to our constituents.