Title
November 5, 2024 Municipal Election - Call for Impartial Analysis, Selection of Argument Authors, and Setting Regulations for Ballot Arguments for One Measure: Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure
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FileID
File ID: 2024-01078
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Adopt a 1) Resolution directing the preparation of an impartial analysis for the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, for inclusion in the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election Official Ballot; 2) Resolution authorizing members of the City Council to author arguments related to the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, that will be presented to the voters in the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election Voter Information Guide; 3) Resolution setting regulations for ballot arguments that will be presented to the voters in the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election Voter Information Guide.
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Contact
Contact: Sydney Christoffersen, Administrative Analyst, (916) 808-5754, schristoffersen@cityofsacramento.org, Mindy Cuppy, MMC, City Clerk, (916) 808-5442, mcuppy@cityofsacramento.org; Office of the City Clerk
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution Directing the Preparation of an Impartial Analysis of One Measure
3-Resolution Authorizing City Councilmembers to Author Arguments for One Measure
4-Resolution Approving Regulations for Ballot Arguments
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Additional Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: On May 21, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2024-0013, the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, for voter approval on the November 5, 2024 ballot. On May 28, 2024, the City Council adopted a resolution calling for the holding of a municipal election on November 5, 2024, for the purpose of voting on the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure. In accordance with the Sacramento City Charter Section 152, regular City elections are to be consolidated with statewide elections. In accordance with California Elections Code section 9222, the council must adopt a resolution to place a measure on the ballot.
As provided in the California Elections Code section 9280, for any measure approved for placement on the ballot by the City Council, the City Council may direct the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney for preparation of an impartial analysis of the measure. The analysis is for the purpose of showing the effects of the measure on existing law and the operation of the measure. The analysis shall be printed in the official Voter Information Guide preceding the arguments and shall not exceed 500 words. The impartial analysis is due in the Office of the City Clerk no later than June 7, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. An impartial analysis will provide both the City of Sacramento and the voters of the city with impartial information regarding the measure.
To secure its position in the selection of ballot arguments for the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, in the event the City Clerk receives more than one argument in support or opposition of the measure, the City Council may select who will author and file the ballot argument(s) on the City Council’s behalf. This action will ensure that the City Council’s argument(s) have priority selection for printing in the official Voter Information Guide pursuant to the selection criteria in California Elections Code section 9287. If the City Council, or authorized member(s), do not submit an argument for a City Council measure, any individual voter who is eligible to vote on the measure, or bona fide association of citizens, or any combination of voters and associations, may submit an argument in support of or opposition to any measure.
Up to five authors’ names may be printed with the argument. If the City Council, as a body, chooses to submit an argument, at least one of the Councilmembers should be designated as an author.
If more than one argument is received for a given position, the City Clerk shall follow the selection criteria outlined in the Sacramento City Code section 1.16.070, which provides for the following author priority: (a) The City Council, or members authorized by the council; (b) charter officer or officer of department director; (c) individual voters who are eligible to vote on the measure; or (d) a bona fide association of citizens, or combination of voters and associations.
Prior to an election, the City shall adopt a resolution that establishes regulations for the preparation of ballot arguments. The primary arguments are due in the Office of the City Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 7, 2024. Both supporting and opposing arguments must be received in order for a rebuttal argument to be submitted. If arguments, both supporting and opposing the measure, are appropriately received, each side will be given the opportunity to provide a written rebuttal. The rebuttal arguments are due in the Office of the City Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 17, 2024.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: The actions outlined in this report are in accordance with the Sacramento City Code, Sacramento City Charter, and the California Elections Code.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: None.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: None.
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Sustainability
Sustainability: None.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: The recommendations are consistent with standard practice, the Sacramento City Code, and the California Elections Code.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): None.
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