REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Written Petition (Council Policy 030) Submitted by Councilmember Jain to Appropriate Funds to Support the Work of the Charter Review Committee as well as Strategic Policy Analysis, Voter Research, Community Engagement and Other Related Costs Associated with Election Activities and Potential Ballot Measures in 2024
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
At its meeting of July 11, 2023, the City Council took action to consider the 030 Written Petition submitted by Councilmember Jain to establish a budget for the Charter Review Committee as well as funding for research, community engagement, and other costs associated with the potential placement of measures on the ballot in March 2024. In considering this petition, the City Council requested that staff return on July 18, 2023 with a proposed budget amendment to fund these, and other related outreach efforts, in support of potential election activities for 2024.
The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council with an overview of the projected costs as well as related budget amendment information should the City Council wish to take that action.
DISCUSSION
On July 6, 2023, the City Council voted to establish a Charter Review Committee ("Committee") for the purposes of evaluating and recommending whether an amendment to the City Charter to change the positions of Police Chief and City Clerk from elected to appointed positions should be placed before the voters on a March 2024 ballot.
At its July 11, 2023 meeting, the City Council voted to consider a written petition from Councilmember Jain to prepare a budget amendment that would establish funding to support the work of the Committee as well as other outreach and election costs related to the possible placement of two measures before the voters in March 2024. As part of its discussion, the Council also requested that staff include costs for similar expenses for the No...
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