Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Dave Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Toni Wheeler, Legal Director Ed Mullins, Finance Director Casey Toomay, Budget Manager
DATE:	July 31, 2008
RE:	Sales Tax Referenda

Based on previous City Commission discussion and direction regarding proposed sales tax referenda, three resolutions calling for special election have been drafted and are attached as follow:

· A resolution calling for special election relating to an infrastructure sales tax (0.3 percent)

· A resolution calling for special election relating to a transit sales tax (0.2 percent)

· A resolution calling for special election relating to a combined sales tax for infrastructure and transit (0.5 percent:  0.3 for infrastructure and 0.2 for transit)

Associated Notices of Special Question Election documents have also been drafted for City Commission review.  One notice includes provides a separate ballot question for each sales tax proposition while the second combines the two propositions into one ballot question.  Staff continues to await information from the County Clerk’s office regarding the voting sites for precincts 10 and 37, which are left blank in the attached notices.  Once that information is received those sites will be included.

Legal Services Director Toni Wheeler has provided a memo regarding use of public funds to promote or advocate on a matter before the electorate in response to discussion at the July 22 City Commission meeting.

Action Item

Staff is seeking direction from the City Commission regarding how to proceed with Resolutions and Notification of Special Question Election publications.  Specifically, should the issues be combined to one ballot question or presented to the voters as two separate questions?

The Douglas County Clerk must receive ballot language and materials no later than September 23, 2008 to be placed on the November 4, 2008 ballot.  Publication of the Notice of Special Election must occur at least 21 days prior to the November 4 election.

Attachments:  Table of Estimated Sales Tax Collections

Memo regarding transit funding

Memo and attachments regarding infrastructure and equipment funding