Mark,
I cannot answer all of your questions, since some of the estimates/facts are not known at this time and will require further research; however, I can provide some information for you.
First of all, as you realize, the initiative would have to qualify for the ballot. If that occurs, the City Attorney will not be the one to calculate the cost of the election. The estimate comes from the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office to me, as City Clerk. I placed a request for the estimate with the County for the November 2010 Election and am waiting to hear back from them; they noted that I should receive the estimate in 3-4 weeks. Therefore, the cost is not a known quantity at this time. If the estimated cost has been provided by the County when a report is prepared for the City Council about the election, the estimated cost would be included in the report.
The cost of the Nov. 2009 General Municipal Election for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes (which was consolidated with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Library District through the County) with seven candidates and one measure on the ballot was $74,553. For comparison, the cost of the Nov. 2007 General Municipal Election (which was consolidated with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District through the County) with five candidates and two measures on the ballot for the City was $96,553. If the petition qualifies for the November 2010 ballot, the funds to pay for the Special Election would come from the General Fund.
Regards,
Carla
Carla Morreale, CMC
City Clerk
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Right now, the November ballot is not slated to have any candidates or issues specifically associated with our city government or issues in Rancho Palos Verdes.
That would all change if the Marymount initiative qualifies for the ballot and it appears our city's General Fund would have funds charged against it for the added costs associated with Marymount's proposed ballot measure, if it qualifies.
Now if approximately 10% of the registered voters in R.P.V. sign the petitions being circulated, that means that our city General Fund, which 100% of our residents, pay into would take a hit.
Since Marymount College is tax exempt, only students, faculty, staff, and supporters of Marymount who are residents of Rancho Palos Verdes would contribute to the General Fund, in some manner, possibly.
I highly doubt that those actively associated with Marymount College make up 10% of the registered voters of R.P.V.
Please do not sign the petition.
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