HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 04/01/2025 - Memorandum from Delynn Coldiron re Item #29 - Election Items - Updated Power PointCity Clerk’s Office
300 Laporte Avenue
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6515
[cityclerk@fcgov.com]
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 1, 2025
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
From: Delynn Coldiron, City Clerk
Subject: Item #29 – Election Items – Updated Power Point
It has come to our attention that several slides were hidden in the power point that was
published in the Council agenda for this item. Attached is an updated presentation showing all
slides.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Headline Copy Goes Here
2025 Coordinated
Election and
Campaign Oversight
April 1, 2025
Delynn Coldiron, City Clerk
Cecilia Good, Senior Deputy
City Clerk
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2
Coordinated Election
•2022 Election
o Voters approved moving regular elections to November and coordinating with Larimer County
76% of voters in favor
o Voters approved Ranked Voting for Mayor and Councilmember races
58% of voters in favor
•IGA with Larimer County Required
o Required by State statute; standard requirement we have done multiple times
o Sets out roles and responsibilities for both entities
o 2nd Coordinated Regular November Election (2023 was the first)
o Biggest difference – ranked voting!
Headline Copy Goes HerePlanned for the Ballot
3
2025 Ballot
•Council Races
o Mayor
o Councilmembers for Districts 1, 3 and 5
Will have ranked voting for any race with three or more candidates.
•Charter Amendments
o 4-6 expected
•TABOR Question
o Expecting at least one
•Citizen Initiative
o Expecting at least one
Blogs – University of Illinois
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Order of Items on Ballot
Send to
Municipal
Court
•State Items1
•County Items2
•City Items
o Candidates in alphabetical order under each race
o Referred measures
o Initiative measures
3
•School District Items4
•Other Entity Items5
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5
Election Costs - Estimated
Preliminary
Review
State and County Participating
$236,111.71
State Participating
(no County)
$303,289.29
County Participating
(no State)
$315,499.32
No State or County Participation
$430,688.91
$431K Anticipated
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Election Costs - Estimated
•$164K approved through BFO
•$ 50K of this is being used for Ranked Voting education
•$431K County estimate with no County/State
•$431K - 114K = $317K
Does not include the $68K requested as part of the
reappropriation ordinance which is also planned for
Ranked Voting education/outreach efforts
$317K
Ask
Entire amount must be appropriated to legally enter into IGA
Received indication that neither the State nor the
County will have ballot items so need to appropriate
the highest estimated amount
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7
Campaign Oversight
Farmersville Times
Building Trust
Promoting Accountability
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8
Campaign Oversight – Election Code Committee Recommendation
Proposed Outside Service Provider:
•Impartial
•Would work under the guidance of the City Clerk and City Attorney
•Would provide proactive review of campaign finance submissions
•Would assist with related investigation of potential violations
Election Code Committee:
•Recommended moving forward with an outside service provider as a first step in enhancing oversight of election filings.
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Proposed Duties Related to Oversight Contract Position
Proactive review of Campaign Finance Reporting and Related Compliance
•Ensure numbers make sense (starting and ending balances).
•Ensure timeliness of filing and follow up on missing reports.
•Ensure contributions are within limits.
•Ensure contributions are given by allowed donors.
•Make periodic checks of donations made to ensure accuracy of information
reported.
•Ensure all contributions meet City code requirements.
•Ensure revised reports are filed to address issues found.
•Work with Candidates and Committees to get voluntary compliance.
•If needed, report unresolved issues to City Clerk staff for enforcement.
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Total Ask
$317,000 – Coordinated Election Costs
$ 40,500 – Campaign Oversight Service Provider$357,500K
Full Ask
Any monies not used for these purposes will be
returned to the funding source.
Funding Source – General Fund Reserves
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13
Time Estimates for This work
Proactive review of Campaign Finance Reports
•9 reports due per committee
•If we have 12 candidates and 3 committees:
135 reports to be reviewed
@ 3 hours each = 405 hours (recognize that some will take longer due to
investigation and follow-up, and some will take less time).
$100/hour
•$40,500
•Additional funding might be required if proactive work outside of campaign finance
is desired
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14
Additional Items the Oversight Contract Position Might Assist With
Potential additional items the provider could assist with if there are monies available:
•Periodically ask for samples of materials to check for “paid for by” requirements.
•Periodically look at election-related Facebook pages to check for “paid for by”
requirements.
•Periodically check election signs to check for “paid for by” requirements.
•Pursue checks on potential issues reported such us text messages with no “paid for
by” information added.