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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8A - Changing Election Years MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT APRIL 17, 2006 SA Ralph Teschner, Finance Director , PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER CHANGING ELECTIONS FROM ODD YEARS TO EVEN YEARS Introduction The purpose of this agenda item is to consider public testimony regarding the proposed shift of city council elections from its present odd year format to conducting them in even years. Historv The City Council considered and approved a report at its regular city council meeting of March 20, 2006 regarding the process and associated implications of going to even year elections beginning in 2008. Subsequent discussion prompted the Council to direct Staff to prepare additional information for public dissemination and to schedule a public hearing at which residents could comment on their preference as to the merits of conducting even-year versus odd-year council elections. Current Circumstances MN Statute 205.07 subd. 1 & 3 establishes the process for changing election years. In summary the City Council must adopt an ordinance changing the year of the municipal election from an odd-year election to an even-year election. In order to make the change from 2007 to 2008 an ordinance must be approved before June 1 of this year. The change becomes effective 240 days after passage of the ordinance and publication. If within 180 days after adoption a petition equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast in the last municipal election is filed then the ordinance shall be placed on the ballot at the next general election. If the ordinance question passed on the ballot, it would become effective immediately. Outlined below is an excerpt from that initial report of the advantages/disadvantages of conducting an election during even years: Advantages: 1. Cost savings to the taxpayer would be achieved by reducing election expenses since elections would only occur every other year as opposed to every year. This would result in an estimated savings of $5,000.00 in those odd years when no election would occur. 2. Voter turnout would be larger during general election years when state and federal offices are voted upon thereby validating election outcomes to a greater degree. 3. Customer service would be enhanced as the residents would find it more convenient from a time perspective since voting activity would be reduced in half. www.cityofpriorlake.com P1iG\1i€~~419~230 / Fax 952.447.4245 ALTERNATIVES: 4. Election judge recruitment would be easier due to fewer elections. 5. Reduction of scheduling conflicts with the eight (8) polling locations. 6. Signage and sign enforcement would be limited to even years only. Disadvantages: 1 . Loss of local identity and focus because presently the city election is basically the "only game in town" during the odd years. 2. An argument could be put forward that the voter turnout during odd years is more informed because these voters are generally more engaged by council representation. 3. School district would need to move their elections back to an even year cycle if they wish to consolidate their election administration expenses with ours. Minnesota statute 205.07 specifically states that tlTo provide an orderly transition to the odd or even year election plan, the governing body of the city may adopt supplementary ordinances regulating initial elections and officers to be chosen at the elections and shortenina or lenathenina the terms of the incumbents and those elected at the initial election. " Oction #1 : Begin even-year elections in 2008 and extend all council member terms by one year. Terms for all future elections would continue to be four (4) years. Oction #2: Conduct odd-year election in 2007 for council terms of three (3) years. Begin even-year elections in 2008 by shortening the terms of the council member elected in 2005 by one year. Terms for all future elections would continue to be four (4) years. Oction #3: Conduct odd-year election in 2007 for council terms of three (3) years. Conduct odd-year election in 2009 for council terms of three (3) years. Begin even-year election in 2010. Terms for all future even-year elections would be four (4) years. Oction #4: Retain present odd-year election format. If the Council consensus is to switch to even-year elections by implementing any of the first three options then an ordinance authorizing the change would have to be approved before June 1, 2006. The following alternatives are available to the City Council: 1. Close the public hearing and direct Staff to proceed with preparation of an ordinance establishing even-year elections implementing Option #1. 2. Close the public hearing and direct Staff to proceed with preparation of an ordinance establishing even-year elections implementing Option #2. 3. Close the public hearing and direct Staff to proceed with preparation public !18a.ng of an ordinance establishing even-year elections implementing Option #3. 4. Close the public hearing and retain odd-year election (Option #4). RECOMMENDED MOTION: Dependent upon Council consensus. Reviewed by: iL H.