TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Sheryl L. Bratton, County Counsel
REPORT BY: Ryan FitzGerald, Deputy County Counsel
SUBJECT: Appointments to Open Seats on Governing Boards of Special Districts
RECOMMENDATION
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Appointment of qualified candidates to those special district boards in the County where the number of candidates does not exceed the number of offices to be filled in lieu of conducting elections (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
Pursuant to their principal acts, the Circle Oaks County Water District (COCWD), Spanish Flat Water District (SFWD), Congress Valley Water District (CVWD), and Los Carneros Water District (LCWD) (collectively, "the Districts") are governed by the Uniform District Election Law (UDEL) set forth in Election Code 10500 et seq., which requires them to hold a governing board election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. On July 14, 2020, pursuant Elections Code section 10404, District resolutions, and Board approval, the District elections were consolidated with the even-numbered General Election for future election cycles. The Registrar of Voters conducts the elections for the Districts at their request and is reimbursed by the Districts for any costs incurred. Elections Code section 10515(a) provides that if an election is not held for any district because (1) the number of candidates who filed nomination papers did not exceed the number of seats to be filled and (2) voters have not petitioned the Registrar of Voters to request a general district election, the Registrar of Voters shall submit a certificate of these facts to the Board of Supervisors and request that the Board appoint to the office(s) the person or persons who have filed declarations of candidacy. This Certificate of Facts is attached.
Additionally, where there are fewer declarations of candidacy than there are governing board seats to be filled, Elections Code section 10515(b) requires the Board of Supervisors to make...
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