Item 2F: Approval of Production of Voters' Pamphlet

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Approval of Production of Voters’ Pamphlet Meeting Date: June 12, 2006 Agenda Item Number: 2F Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Mary Feldman www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-8353 ISSUE STATEMENT The council is asked to approve a motion directing the City Manager to publish a voters’ pamphlet for the November 7, 2006, General Election. BACKGROUND On May 22, 2006, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 4868 referring to the legal electors of the City of Eugene a measure authorizing a Four-Year Local Option Levy for the funding of Library Operations. At the same meeting, the council also adopted Resolution No. 4869 calling a City election on November 7, 2006, for the purpose of referring to the electors a measure authorizing the issuance of a maximum of $25,490,000 of General Obligation Bonds for Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Projects. For elections at which City of Eugene measures are placed before the voters, the City has customarily prepared and mailed voters’ pamphlets to all residential addresses within the city. Voters’ pamphlets include the caption, question, and summary of each City ballot measure (including EWEB measures), the resolution referring the measure to the voters, and arguments and rebuttals from proponent and opponent committees for each measure. Additional arguments in favor or opposing the ballot measures are included when submitted by petition or paid for by individuals or groups. The pamphlet also may contain paid statements from City Council, EWEB, and School Districts 4J and 52 candidates, as well as ballot measure information for EWEB or school district measures. General information about the election process and how electors may complete it is also part of the pamphlet. Costs for the voters’ pamphlet vary depending on the number of pages required, which is dictated by the number of measures being considered and the number of arguments and candidate statements submitted; and on postage costs, which are dictated by current rates and the number of addresses in the data base. Costs for publishing the November 2005 pamphlet, which included a single City of Eugene ballot measure were approximately $15,000. Costs include advertising for members of the voters’ pamphlet opponent committees and solicitation of additional arguments. The additional pages required for the November 2006 pamphlet, the higher number of households receiving it, and increases in printing and advertising costs could as much as double the cost of the 2006 pamphlet. L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060612\S0606122F.doc