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WS — Item 6 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item #6 Date: October 4, 2010 To: City Council From: Julie Bartell, City Clerk Re: Odd Year Elections Background Chapter 4.01 of the Lino Lakes City Charter establishes that "A regular municipal election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd numbered year...". The rationale for holding a municipal election exclusive of the even - year state and federal level elections is not clearly stated in the city's records. Costs. The proposed budget for the city's cost of the 2011 election is $14,060. A change to even year would save that bi-yearly expense in its entirety. A change would also mean that the staff time devoted to elections during those odd years could be directed to other work. Charter Amendment. A change to the election year would require an amendment to the city charter. The amendment process is governed by state statute which provides more than one method by which a home rule charter can be amended: 1) Petition — a petition meeting the requirements of state law can be submitted by citizens and the question would be brought to the voters; 2) Amendment proposed by the council — the council may propose an amendment by ordinance and, after review by the charter commission, may present it to the voters; 3) Upon receiving a recommendation from the charter commission, the council may enact a charter amendment by ordinance with an affirmative vote of all council members (with a post approval waiting period of 90 days). Terms of Office. Any change to the municipal election year would obviously result in a question regarding the terms of office for the council members and mayor. Changing the election year may result in either the addition or loss of one year to the terms, possibly impacting both sitting council members and those individuals who are up for election/reelection.