HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-10-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - EXPANSION BALLOT MEASURE (2)NEW BUSINESS
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SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
BACKGROUND
AGENDA REPORT
City.Manager Approval
Item to be presentedy:
Michael Murphy
October 27, 1992
Board of Supervisors Expansion Ballot Measure
City Manager
The Charter of the County of Los Angeles currently divides the County into five
supervisorial districts of approximately equal population, with one supervisor
elected from each district. The City of Santa Clarita is currently in the fifth
district, represented by Supervisor Mike Antonovich.
Los Angeles County Measure C, to be voted upon at the November 3, 1992 election,
proposes to divide the County into nine supervisorial districts of approximately
equal population with one Supervisor being elected fromeachdistrict. The City
of Santa Clarita would be placed into the new ninth district. The City's
northern and eastern boundaries would also serve as the . dividing line between
the ninth. and fifth supervisorial districts. Therefore, the incorporated area,
as presently established, would be within the bounds of the ninth district. The
unincorporated areas north and east of the City would remain in the fifth
district. Furthermore, any annexations which occur in these areas would remain
in the fifth district until a future boundary adjustment, presumably after the
2000 census.
The new districts would elect representatives in 1994. The new Supervisors will
take office on December 5, 1994.
In 1991, the. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors created the Supervisorial
District Boundary Review Committee for purposes of considering Board expansion
alternatives. The Committee identified two proposals, for a seven member and a
nine member expansion. Both proposals were slated to come before the County's
electorate until late July, 1992, when the Board opted to delete further
consideration of the seven member plan based upon concern that it would not
receive clearance under the federal Voting Rights Act. The nine member plan
subsequently received a United States Department of Justice clearance.
Measure C can only become effective should it be passed by the voters of Los
Angeles County and if Measure B, creation of an elected Los Angeles- County
Executive is approved by the voters at the November 3, 1992, election.
Agenda Itam:l--
Board of Supervisors Expansion Ballot Measure
October 27, 1992
Page 2
ANALYSIS
Proponents of Measure C argue that Los Angeles County government would be more
responsive with smaller districts. Each supervisor currently represents
approximately 1.8 million people, while this measure would reduce that figure to
approximately 1,000,000. They further note that the composition of the Board
would be more reflective of the diverse populations in the County. Finally,
proponents cite a provision of Measure B which limits the combined budgets of
the new County Executive, Board of Supervisors and Department of Finance to the
present budgets of the Chief Administrative Officer and Board of Supervisors,
adjusted for inflation and population growth.
Opponents argue that increasing the Board of Supervisors will only result in
increasing County bureaucracy, not better service. They continue by noting that
communities of interest have been divided. opponents finally argue that
establishing new districts, designed in part to facilitate the' election of
candidates of particular ethnic backgrounds, mayserve to further polarize
communities.
The City of Santa Clarita would be placed in the ninth district with Agoura
Hills, Hidden Hills, Calabasas, the San Fernando Valley portion of Los Angeles,
Santa Monica, Malibu and Westlake Village. Local proponents argue that the City
may have an increased opportunity at impacting County policy as part of a
smaller district. This would be due to the City's population base within the
new district but also the ability to link with Santa Clarita Valley residents in
the unincorporated areas which would be in another supervisorial district.
Local opponents charge that by splitting the Santa Clarita Valley, the
community, as a whole, will -not be represented as well by two supervisors as
opposed to being in one district.
Discuss and adopt a position regarding Los Angeles County ballot Measure C.
MPM:395
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
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