Agenda Date: 08/17/2021
Subject:
Title
Resolution 37-2021: Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder and the City of Littleton regarding the conduct and administration of the November 2, 2021 coordinated mail ballot election
Body
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Prepared by: |
Colleen L. Norton, City Clerk |
PURPOSE:
Does city council support approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Jefferson County for a coordinated election on November 2, 2021?
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Colleen L. Norton, City Clerk
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
The attached IGA(s) allocate responsibilities between the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder and the City of Littleton for the November 2, 2021 coordinated mail ballot election.
Two (2) IGAs have been provided; one for council candidates only and one to include ballot question(s)/TABOR. Signed IGAs are due to coordinating counties no later than August 24, 2021. As council will not hear an ordinance on second reading and public hearing regarding a potential ballot question until their special meeting on August 26, 2021, both versions are being presented for approval. On August 27, pending a decision by council on August 26, the clerk will notify the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder as to which IGA will prevail.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
Election IGAs are completed with Jefferson County every two years.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
The Littleton Election Commission met on August 6, 2021 and voted unanimously that the City of Littleton coordinate with the counties for the November 2, 2021 election.
Pursuant to C.R.S. 1-7-116(1) if the city and the county hold elections on the same day in November and the eligible electors are the same or have overlapping boundaries, the county clerk is the coordinated election official and shall conduct the election on behalf of all political subdivisions.
The city is required to enter into an IGA with each of the three counties in Littleton by August 24, 2021, pursuant to C.R.S. 1-7-116(2).
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
Littleton will remain ENGAGED and civic-minded in all matters affecting the direction and priorities of city government and the community. Elections are the largest engagement the city has with citizens.
Fiscal Impacts
The cost of the coordinated election is based on the number of active registered voters. There are approximately 1,880 in Jefferson County. The city will be invoiced for its pro-rata share of the actual cost of the election, divided between the city, county, state, and all other participating political subdivisions. The approximate cost of the coordinated election with Jefferson County is $5,000 and may fluctuate depending on whether the ballot submitted by the City of Littleton contains council candidates only or also includes a ballot question.
Alternatives
Coordinated elections save taxpayer dollars by sharing costs with all political subdivisions, counties and the Secretary of State’s office. The city’s cost for an independent election would be approximately $70,000. An independent election could confuse voters, as they would receive two ballots, one from the city and a statewide ballot.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution authorizing the IGA(s) with Jefferson County to coordinate the November 2, 2021 election.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder and the City of Littleton regarding the conduct and administration of the November 2, 2021 coordinated election.