REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Budget Modification No. 15 of $76,642 for November 5, 2024, Elections Costs
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
A budget modification is requested to increase funds in the Sunnyvale Biennial Elections project by $76,642 as the final cost of $629,998 to the Registrar of Voters for the November 5, 2024, elections exceeds the allocated project budget amount.
EXISTING POLICY
Pursuant to Sunnyvale Charter Section 1305, at any meeting after the adoption of the budget, the City Council may amend or supplement the budget by motion adopted by affirmative votes of at least four members so as to authorize the transfer of unused balances appropriated for one purpose to another, or to appropriate available revenue not included in the budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is not a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act because it is a non-discretionary decision (CEQA Guidelines Section 15357).
DISCUSSION
The City of Sunnyvale allocates funds in project 835020 - Sunnyvale Biennial Elections based on election cost estimates provided by the Registrar of Voters (ROV) and other election costs. The estimated budgeted cost for the November 5, 2024, elections fell below the actual election costs.
In addition to the election costs to the ROV, Sunnyvale incurs costs related to the publication of election notices, translation of election notices and varying costs to cover the costs of Candidate Statements of Qualifications as provided for by Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 2.28.030 (In lieu petitions for cost of candidate's statement). These additional election costs are currently estimated to be $18,349, some of which are reimbursed by the election candidates.
An additional $76,642 is required to pay the total invoice due to the ROV.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budget Modification No. 15 has been prepared to appropriate funding in the amount of $76,642 for payment to the Registrar of Voters for the November 5, 2024, election costs in Project 835020 - Sunnyvale Biennial Elections in the General Fund.
Budget Modification No. 15
FY 2024/25
|
|
Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
|
General Fund |
|
|
|
|
Reserves |
|
|
|
|
Budget Stabilization Fund |
$90,872,451 |
($76,742) |
$90,795,709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
Project 835020 - Sunnyvale Biennial Elections |
$571,705 |
$76,642 |
$648,347 |
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve Budget Modification No. 15 in the amount of $76,742.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_x_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Anna Mendoza, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: David Carnahan, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Matthew Paulin, Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Registrar of Voters Cost Estimate - November 5, 2024, Election
2. Registrar of Voters Invoice - November 5, 2024, Election