2020 2:00:00 PM

Monday, February 10, 2020 2:00 PM
Council Chambers, Legislative Bldg, 745 4th Street, Sparks, NV

Public Hearing and Action Items Unrelated to Planning and Zoning: 10.1

Title: SECOND READING, Public Hearing, discussion and possible adoption of Bill No. 2771, An ordinance providing for the conducting and holding of a primary election in the City of Sparks on the 9th day of June 2020 and a general election in the City of Sparks on the 3rd day of November 2020; identifying municipal offices seeking candidates, authorizing Washoe County to conduct the election and setting the filing fees for candidacy declaration.

Petitioner/Presenter: Lisa Hunderman, City Clerk/Lisa Hunderman, City Clerk

Recommendation: Council adopt the ordinance as outlined by staff

Financial Impact: N/A

Business Impact (Per NRS 237):
A Business Impact Statement is not required because this is not a rule.

Agenda Item Brief:

Pursuant to NRS 293C.110 and Sparks City Charter, Article V, Section 5.030, the City Council must adopt by ordinance all regulations necessary to hold an election and appointment any necessary election officers and election boards.

Background:

Under Sparks City Charter, Article V, Section 5.030, all city elections must be conducted under the control of the City Council. For the prevention of fraud in elections and for the recount of ballots in cases of doubt or fraud, the City Council must adopt by ordinance any and all regulations which it considers desirable and consistent with the law and this Charter.

Under NRS 293C.110, conduct of any city election must be under the control of the governing body of the city, which must, by ordinance, provide for the holding of the election, appoint the necessary election officers and election boards and do all other things required to carry the election into effect.

Analysis:

Adopting an ordinance providing for municpal elections is required by Nevada Revised Statutes and the Sparks City Charter.

In addition, the ordinance identifies election dates, municipal offices seeking candidates, sets the filing fees and acknowledges the interlocal agreement, approved by City Council during the January 27th meeting, authorizing Washoe County to conduct the election.

The current filing fee for municipal offices is set at $30

By authorizing Washoe County to conduct the election, the City reduces the cost of operating the polls as well as the printing and distributing of the ballots. It is not cost effective for the City to aquire and set up the voting machines necessary and to staff full time polling locations to conduct the election on our own. As Washoe County is required to conduct an election, it is cost effective for the City of Sparks to contract with Washoe County to allow the Registrar of Voters to conduct the city's elections for 2020.

Alternatives:

Council could adopt the ordinance as outlined

Council could decline to adopt the ordinance and provide direction to the City Manager

Recommended Motion:

Move to adopt Bill No. 2771, An ordinance providing for the conducting and holding of a primary election in the City of Sparks on the 9th day of June 2020 and a general election in the City of Sparks on the 3rd day of November 2020; identifying municipal offices seeking candidates, authorizing Washoe County to conduct the election and setting the filing fees for candidacy declaration.

Attached Files:

Bill 2771.pdf

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