I. RECOMMENDATION:
The City Manager recommends that the City Council appoint Lonnie A. Hedgecock to the office of City Councilmember for District #5.
II. BACKGROUND:
Section 10229 of the Elections Code states that if a candidate is unopposed at the close of nominations, a city council can:
- Appoint to the office the person who has been nominated;
- Appoint to the office any eligible voter if no one has been nominated; or
- Hold an election if either no one or only one person has been nominated.
III. DISCUSSION:
As of the close of the nomination period on August 17, 2022, Lonnie A. Hedgecock was the only nomination to the District #5 council seat. Under the above code section, the City Council can appoint Mr. Hedgecock to that seat.
The appointment of Mr. Hedgecock to District #5 would occur in lieu of the election, therefore he would qualify and take office and serve exactly as if elected at a municipal election for the office.
The appointment shall not affect the conduct of the municipal election in any other legislative districts of the City.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
Do not appoint Lonnie A. Hedgecock to District #5 and instead have the election for District #5 continue.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
The Fresno County Elections Office estimates a $2,500 cost savings for the City of Coalinga by making the appointment for District #5 in lieu of the election. This cost savings would be to the City's General Fund. |