East Contra Costa Fire Begins Process Towards an Elected Board

On Monday, the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board of Directors will vote on an action to move to an elected board and seeking voter approval.

If the Board of Directors approves the action, a special election will occur on November 8, 2016 asking voters in the District if the fire board should be elected or not. Staff is recommending a 5-person at-large board would represent the District.

Editors Note: An at-large election means the top 5 candidates who receive the most votes would become the new board regardless of where they live. Hypothetically, all five board members could come from a single city based on the population numbers.

Should a majority of the voters approve the measure, the new members of the Board will be elected at the next general district election on November 7, 2017

Currently, the District is represented by a 9-member appointed Board made up of four representatives from the City of Brentwood, three members from the City of Oakley, and two members of unincorporated Contra Costa County.

This action comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Contra Costa County and the cities of Brentwood and Oakley to pursue the Task Force recommendations requiring the Board to transition to an independent district with an elected board, changing the District’s name that is not related to a county agency, while also establishing a citizens oversight committee.

The County Elections Department estimates that including a District measure on the November 8, 2016 election ballot would cost the District approximately $1.50 to $2.00 per registered voter.  According to the County Elections Department, the District has 56,324 registered voters.  At $2,00 per registered voter, the County election cost to the District would be $112,648.

The District would also be required to pay for its share of costs for future elections on a biennial basis, starting in 2017, when the first new Board members would be elected.

The Resolution calls for the following:

1. Calls a District election to be held on November 8, 2016;
2. Orders a ballot question be submitted to the voters of the District regarding the election of the Directors of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, with the language of the ballot question stated in the Resolution;
3. Orders that a notice be sent to the County Clerk of a measure submitted to the voters;
4. Authorizes the Fire Chief to contract with the County to procure and furnish any election supplies and equipment needed to lawfully conduct the election, at costs to be reimbursed by the District;
5. Directs the District Clerk to transmit a copy of the Resolution and the measure language to the District General Counsel, who shall prepare an impartial analysis for the measure pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9313.
6. Requests the County to consolidate the special district election with the statewide election to be held on November 8, 2016;
7. Authorizes the County Election Department to canvass the returns for the special district election; and
8. Provides for reimbursement to the County for any costs to consolidate the special district election.