Lack of an Election Will Save Fair Oaks Park District $15K

While perhaps unintentional, the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District is saving thousands of dollars not having to hold a Board Member election this November.

Recreation and Park District Board Members this fall, so those races won't appear on the November ballot.

District Administrator Maureen Zamarripa said the exclusion will save the district nearly $15,000.

"The Park District had three Director vacancies and only three candidates filed for the vacancies," Zamarripa said in an e-mail. "As a result, the District will not have to place candidates on the General Election ballot saving about $15,000."

Breaking down the costs, Zamarippa noted the fees are calculated and paid to the Sacramento County Voter Registrar:

• A $1,660 base setup fee.
• $13,102 ($0.6510 per registered voter - The Park District has 20,126 registered voters).

In total, the Park District will save $14,762.

Zamarripa could not speculate as to why why more people didn't file to run, explaining, though, the district had accounted financially for the election regardless of turnout.

"We budgeted to cover the cost of the election in the FY 1213 Final Budget," Zamarripa said. "Since we will avoid the cost of placing items on the General Election ballot, the funds will remain available for other programs or activities the District chooses to fund."

The district only learned about the anticipated savings just prior to the August Board meeting so it hasn’t made any specific recommendations to the Board for spending the unused funds, the administrator explained.

Zamarripa believes sometime in the next month or so, the district will have a workshop with the Board to discuss implementation of a master plan for the Fair Oaks Village, Plaza Park, the Fair Oaks Community Clubhouse. She also hopes to have an update for the district's Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan and the priorities for FY 1213 implementation of the District’s 10-year master plan.

"During that discussion, the Board may well provide direction that could speak for the saved funds," Zamarripa said.

For those interested in election details, including costs for an election on the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters website, a booklet includes factors that comprise the costs for a publc agency’s election if placed on the General Election Ballot.

The booklet can be found by clicking here. Page 12 has the schedule of fees and costs.

For more information on the 2012 election, check out the .

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