LAKEPORT, Calif. — The city of Lakeport said the deadline has been set for the submission of arguments against Measure P, which is a question to be put to voters specifically in the proposed South Lakeport Annexation project area this fall.
The city is seeking to annex 50 parcels totaling 137 acres in the area adjacent to South Main Street and Soda Bay Road and east of Highway 29.
In a process that took place in May, owners of 16 of the 50 parcels — accounting for 36% of the land valuation — protested the annexation, which triggered the election. At least a 25% protest total is required for such elections to occur.
As a result, in June, the Lakeport City Council approved a resolution calling for a special municipal election to be held on the annexation on Nov. 8.
It will be consolidated with the general election that’s also happening that day.
The special election on Measure P will be decided by less than 20 voters who live specifically in the annexation area, stretching from 2325 South Main St. to 96 Soda Bay Road.
The question that will go to voters is as follows:
“Shall the order adopted on March 30, 2022, by the Local Agency Formation Commission of Lake County ordering the annexation to the City of Lakeport of the territory described in that order and designated “City of Lakeport Annexation to the City of Lakeport (LAFCO file 2019-0006) (South Lakeport Annexation)” be confirmed?”
The city reported that arguments for or against the proposition must be submitted to the city clerk for printing and distribution to the voters no later than July 25 at 5 p.m.
Residents entitled to vote on the proposal, or an association of such residents, are invited to submit and file an argument for or an argument against the proposal.
In addition, the legislative body of any affected agency, or any members of the legislative body of any affected agency authorized by it, may file an argument for or an argument against the proposal, the city said.
The arguments for or against the proposal may not exceed 300 words in length.
Those arguments shall be accompanied by the printed names and signatures of the authors submitting them, but not more than five signatures, or if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers who is the author of the argument, in accordance with Article 4, Chapter 3, Division 9 of the Elections Code.
The argument may be changed or withdrawn until and including July 25, after which no arguments for the proposition may be submitted to the city clerk.
If more than one argument for or against the proposition is received, the city clerk shall select one argument for and one argument against for printing and distribution to the voters giving preference and priority in accordance with Government Code section 57145(b) and Elections Code section 9287.
The rebuttal arguments in favor or against the proposition must be submitted to the city clerk no later than Aug. 4 at 5 p.m.
The city said the author or a majority of the authors of an argument relating to the proposition may prepare and submit a rebuttal argument or may authorize in writing any other person or persons to prepare, submit or sign the rebuttal argument.
The rebuttal argument shall not exceed 250 words and shall not be signed by more than five people.
Any direct argument, rebuttal argument, or impartial analysis filed under the authority of the Elections Code or Government Code will be available for public examination in the city clerk’s office for not less than 10-calendar days from the deadline for the filing of the direct arguments, rebuttal arguments and analysis.
More information about the election can be found on the city’s elections page.
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