Frustrated by the rising cost of running the polls, Santa Barbara officials might hold their own election this November.As the county considers charging up to $650,000 for staffing the city council races, members of the panel will discuss several cost-saving options Tuesday, including using their own elections staff or holding a mail-in only contest. Officials will also consider moving elections to even-numbered years to share costs with other local governments. The proposals echo a growing feud that culminated with the city suing the county for charging administrative and overhead costs not directly associated with the city election, city officials say.  Brian Barnwell Jim McClure, deputy clerk-recorder assessor for Santa Barbara County, said costs have been rising for years due to new requirements for Spanish speakers, the disabled and an increase of voters who mail ballots in.
The city is shouldering all of that cost because it is the only agency that holds its election in odd-numbered years, McClure said.
City officials disagree.
“It doesn’t make any sense for us to pay that much,” said Marcelo Lopez, the city’s administrative services director who oversees elections for Santa Barbara.
Costs for voting booth rentals, poll workers and ballot printing are understandable, he said. But the city shouldn’t have to pay salaries of staff members and other costs that would be incurred whether the election is held or not, Lopez said.
 Das Williams
In the meantime, city leaders must figure out a plan for this November. Lopez said the city has already done its homework and can run the election for about $300,000, or half the cost that the county is charging.
It would be even less expensive if the council decides to follow in the footsteps of the city of Burbank and hold a mail-in only election. Burbank officials briefed leaders here about its process a few months ago, and the city also received information from the state of Oregon, which has held mail-in-only elections for the last five years.
“People lead such busy lives,” said Mayor Marty Blum, who is not up for reelection this November. “We know that more than half of the people in Santa Barbara vote by mail already. It’s something worth considering.”
Voters would still be able to drop off their ballots at polling places on Election Day Nov. 6, but less manpower would be needed to staff these facilities, city officials said.
On Tuesday, the City Council will also consider adding a measure to the fall ballot that would change the city’s Charter to switch city elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years.
 Helene Schneider
On Tuesday, the city’s Ordinance Committee will discuss ways to level the playing field for candidates seeking office. The city is working with City Channels, the publicly-funded government station, to air videos of candidates for free.
The committee is also discussing new requirements for candidates to report the money they spend on their campaign. The City Council would have the final say on these changes at a future meeting.
The Ordinance Committee meets at noon Tuesday in City Council chambers; the City Council will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers. For complete staff reports about the election issues, visit www.santabarbara.ca.gov.
Contact Melissa Evans at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
|
