At any time after the adoption of a plan for a boulevard or the letting of a contract for the construction of the whole or any portion of any boulevard, the commission may by order entered in its minutes call an election for the purpose of determining whether bonds shall be issued for the acquisition of rights of way for, and the construction of, such boulevard, or for the payment of such contract.
Boulevard DistrictsApproval of Construction Plans
Section § 26160
This law explains that at any point after a plan has been adopted or a contract has been started for building a boulevard, the commission can decide to hold an election. The purpose of the election is to see if voters agree to issue bonds, which are essentially loans, to fund the acquisition of land or to pay for the construction of the boulevard or the associated contract costs.
boulevard construction plan contract for construction commission authority
Section § 26161
This section explains how an order for bond elections in a district should work. The order must set the election date, specify the bond amount, and generally explain that the funds will be used to buy land and build boulevards. If the election is about paying off an existing contract the commission has made, the order needs to tell voters what that contract is about. Any leftover money from the bond after building and buying land must be used to improve and maintain the boulevards.
The order shall fix the day of the election, shall specify the amount of the bond issue, and shall state in general terms that the money raised from the sale of the bonds shall be used for the acquisition of rights of way for, and the construction of, boulevards in the district.
If the election is called for the payment of a contract already entered into by the commission, the order shall state the terms of the contract in such manner as will advise the electors of its contents. Any money raised by means of a bond issue which remains on hand after the acquisition of rights of way and the construction have been completed, shall be expended in the betterment and maintenance of the boulevard.
bond election bond issue amount election date
Section § 26162
This law section requires that the notice for an election be given in a way and time frame that is specifically outlined in another legal section, which is Section 26061.
Notice of the election shall be given in the manner and for the time provided for in Section 26061.
election notice election time frame communication requirements
Section § 26163
Before the scheduled election day, the commission must choose one or more polling places within the district. They also need to appoint election officers, specifically one inspector and two judges, from the district's registered voters to oversee the election. They ensure all other necessary preparations for the election are made. The ballots will simply offer a choice between 'Bonds, Yes' and 'Bonds, No.'
At any time prior to the day fixed for the election the commission shall select one or more polling places within the district, and appoint from among the qualified electors within the district, one inspector, and two judges for each polling place who shall constitute the officers of the election and the election board, and shall make all other necessary and proper arrangements for holding the election. The ballots shall contain the words “Bonds, Yes” and “Bonds, No.”
polling places appoint election officers qualified electors
Section § 26164
After votes are counted and results announced, election officers must seal the ballots and deliver them with the election results to the commission's secretary. During the next commission meeting, the election results are reviewed and recorded in the meeting minutes. This official record serves as evidence of the proper conduct and details of all prior election-related activities.
After the vote has been counted and the result announced by the election officers the ballots shall be sealed up and delivered to the secretary of the commission with the election returns. The commission shall, at its next meeting, canvass the returns and enter the result upon its minutes. This entry in the minutes is conclusive evidence of the fact and regularity of all prior proceedings required by this part and of the facts stated in the entry.
vote counting ballot sealing election officers
Section § 26165
This law states that if an election is held about issuing bonds, and two-thirds of the voters say yes, the commission can go ahead and issue and sell those bonds. However, if the majority votes no, then the same question can't be brought up for another vote for at least a year.
If, at the election, two-thirds of the votes cast are in favor of the issuance of bonds, the commission is authorized to issue and sell the bonds as proposed in the order calling the election. If the result of the election is against the issuance of bonds no other election upon the same question shall be called or held for one year after such election.
bond issuance election vote two-thirds approval
Section § 26166
This law explains that constructing a boulevard can be funded through taxes rather than issuing bonds, but only if a majority of people vote in favor of it during a special election. The process to organize and conduct this election is the same as it would be for bond elections.
A boulevard may be constructed with money raised by taxation instead of a bond issue if authorized by a majority of the votes cast at an election called for the purpose of determining if the boulevard shall be so constructed.
Elections to authorize the construction of boulevards with money raised by taxation shall be called and held in the same manner as is provided for bond elections.
boulevard construction funding taxation funding special election
