TITLE
Recommendation to, by motion of the City Council, request City Manager and City Attorney to provide information on what requirements can be put in place to protect taxpayers from having to bear the burden of special election costs due to City officials not completing their full terms.
DISCUSSION
Since 2006, the City of Long Beach has been required to conduct several “special elections” due to the voluntary resignation of elected officials before they completed their terms in office. (1)
As a result, the taxpayers have had to bear the burden of approximately $900,000 in special election costs. This problem will continue as more and more politicians seek higher or different elected office before completing the terms of the office they hold.
The elected official who voluntarily resigns before his or her term of office is completed, whether for personal reasons (which the exception of serious illness) or because of election to another public office, should be responsible for the costs of a special election due to his or her failure to faithfully perform the duties of their office. This is particularly important in these economic times when cuts to essential city services are being made to balance the City’s budget.
Perhaps a Public Official Performance Bond or insurance could be required to be posted by Long Beach elected officials so that if they voluntarily resign from their office and a special election is required to replace them, the costs would be covered.
(1) Council Dan Baker resigned in 2006; Councilwoman Laura Richardson resigned in 2007; Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal resigned in 2009.
FISCAL IMPACT
Bond or insurance costs would be borne by the elected official and could potentially save the taxpayers up to $300,000 in special election costs.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILWOMAN GERRIE SCHIPSKE
FIFTH DISTRICT