Title
Conduct of Special Election to be held on Aug. 28, 2018, to Submit Ballot Measures to Voters (Ordinance S-44547)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an agreement with Maricopa County to conduct the City of Phoenix Special Election to be held on Aug. 28, 2018, in conjunction with the State Primary Election according to State law, and authorizing payment to Maricopa County not to exceed $375,000. Estimated total cost of the election is approximately $500,000; about half of this amount will be paid for by Southwest Gas Corporation. Further authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The City Council has referred six ballot measures to voters at a special election to be held on Aug. 28, 2018. The ballot measures include: four proposed Charter amendments related to City of Phoenix elections; one proposed Charter amendment related to City Council authority to remove a member from office for violation of the ethics, gift, conflict of interest, non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies for City elected officials; and one measure seeking approval of a new franchise agreement with Southwest Gas Corporation.
On the date of the Phoenix Special Election, Maricopa County will be conducting the regular State Primary Election within the City of Phoenix. The City of Phoenix can contract with Maricopa County to conduct the special election as part of the State Primary Election to reduce the total cost for this election by about $500,000 and avoid issues associated with having separate County and City elections on the same day. Approximately half of the election cost will be paid for by Southwest Gas Corporation as required by law to cover the cost to obtain voter approval of the franchise agreement. The County would conduct the election according to State law applicable to the primary election. The City will design, print and mail a publicity pamphlet for the special election, to be paid by the City. The pamphlet will include the official title and text of the City ballot measures and any arguments filed supporting or opposing the ballot measures. The publicity pamphlet will be mailed to each household in the City of Phoenix in which a registered voter resides.
This request seeks City Council authorization to permit the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an agreement with the Maricopa County Elections Department to conduct the special election by placing the six City ballot measures on the County ballot for the primary election; to conduct early voting, with Phoenix City Hall serving as an early voting site; to conduct voting on Election Day using polling places; to process and tabulate the ballots for the special election; and to provide unofficial results of all ballots tabulated. The item authorizes the County Board of Supervisors to designate the polling places and appoint election board workers for the conduct of the election.
Contract Term
The contract will begin on or about May 2, 2018, and expire on Sept. 14, 2018.
Financial Impact
Payment will be authorized for the duration of the contract, not to exceed $375,000, and will be allotted from the General Fund. Estimated total cost of the election is approximately $500,000; about half of this amount will be paid for by Southwest Gas Corporation.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Acting Deputy City Manager Toni Maccarone and the City Clerk Department.