Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Declaration of Results of the March 5, 2024 Special Municipal Election and Such Other Matters as Provided by Law.
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publichearing
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From: Ashton R. Arocho, City Clerk
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Ashton R. Arocho, City Clerk
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, RECITING THE FACT THAT THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON MARCH 5, 2024, DECLARING THE RESULTS AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW.”
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BACKGROUND
During a Special Meeting on December 8, 2023, the Mayor and City Council called for the holding of a Special Municipal Election to be held on March 5, 2024, for the submission of a Measure (Measure E) to the voters relating to a proposed ½ cent (1/2%) City Transaction and Use (Sales) Tax.
The City of Westminster held its Special Municipal Election on March 5, 2024 in consolidation with the County of Orange. The election was duly held and the County of Orange Registrar of Voters (ROV) Office conducted said election as authorized and in compliance with the California Elections Code, conducted the canvass, certified and submitted its election certification to the City of Westminster. The election was certified by the ROV on Friday, March 22, 2024 and forwarded to the City on Friday, March 22, 2024.
The City Clerk, as the election official, is submitting the attached Resolution (Attachment No. 1) for adoption by the City Council as required by the State Elections Code. The resolution certifies the Statement of the Vote provided by the ROV and declares the results of the election as follows:
Ballot Measure
Pursuant to the Vote of the People of the City of Westminster, the following ballot measure was approved:
To sustain Westminster’s long-term financial stability, restore / prevent future cuts to services including 911 emergency response, police, neighborhood patrols, drug/gang/domestic violence/human trafficking units, firefighters, paramedics; keep parks/public areas safe/clean; address homelessness; protect local drinking water supplies; retain local businesses, shall an ordinance establishing a ½¢ (½%) sales tax, until ended by voters, providing an estimated $8,000,000 annually for general government use, requiring audits, spending disclosure, funds controlled locally, be adopted?
Ballot Measure E was voted on and the result was that it passed by a majority of Westminster voters. Therefore, upon the certification of the election results by the City Council, Ordinance No. 2609 (Attachment No. 2) will be deemed approved by the vote of the people.
Ordinance No. 2609 had previously been introduced for first reading at a Special Meeting on December 8, 2023, and was adopted by the City Council at its Regular Meeting on March 27, 2024. The Ordinance was approved by at least a 2/3rd vote of the total membership of the Council, as required by California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7285.9.
The certificate of elections presented by the OC ROV on March 22, 2024 is hereby attached as Attachment No. 1, Exhibit A. As a result, the City Clerk has prepared a Certification of Results (Attachment No. 1, Exhibit B).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact related to this item. Election costs for the Special Municipal Election of March 5, 2024 have been allocated and funds are available in the City Clerk’s Election Account No: 100-12500-43090. Once the ROV provides an invoice of shared costs, the city will make the appropriate payment.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
To certify the results, the next step is for the adoption of the proposed resolution and affirm the adoption of Ordinance No. 2609 (Measure E) as approved by voters pursuant to State law.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Attachment No. 1 - Proposed Resolution Declaring and Certifying results for the City of Westminster Special Municipal Election held on March 5, 2024
a. Exhibit A - Certification of Election by Orange County ROV
b. Exhibit B - Certification of Election by City Clerk
2. Attachment No. 2 - Ordinance No. 2609, Measure E
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager