West Sacramento Municipal Code Ch. 2.16 Municipal Elections

The time of the general municipal election in and for the city shall be the same day as the statewide general election, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year.

(Ord. 87-38 § 1; Ord. 95-14 § 1)

Those city officers whose terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of this code, expired on the Tuesday succeeding the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June of an even-numbered year, shall instead, continue in their offices until no later than the fourth Tuesday after the day of the general municipal election date set forth in Section 2.16.010, and until their successors are elected and qualified. The city council finds that this chapter shall not result in any term of office being increased or decreased by more than twelve months.

(Ord. 87-38 § 2; Ord. 95-14 § 1)

The West Sacramento voted to transition to district-based elections in 2022 in order to assure that communities of interest throughout the city have the opportunity to elect their candidates of choice. While this change will bring a renewed focus on neighborhood priorities, it is not intended to fundamentally alter the city's long-standing commitment to strategic governance that focuses on the good of all West Sacramentans, or to the council-manager form of government and related best management practices. This section outlines key governance principles that the council intends to continue going forward.

A. One City Principle.

The One City Principle is that West Sacramento's strength lies in its unity. While acknowledging and serving the diverse needs of individual communities, councilmembers will govern strategically, in the interests of all West Sacramento residents, regardless of the district from which they were elected.

1. Council districts are a construct that relates solely to the city's council elections process. City councilmembers are elected by district to serve the entire community.

2. Any resident can submit a concern to any councilmember, without regard to the district that elected that councilmember.

3. Councilmembers will serve their constituents in a manner that promotes unity, and avoid language or actions that foster divisions or rivalries between residents and elected officials in different council districts.

B. Council-Manager Form of Government.

1. The city of West Sacramento operates under the council-manager form of government, which means that the city manager is responsible for administering the policies that are promulgated by the city council, as opposed to individual councilmembers.

2. Historic practices regarding inviting all councilmembers to community events throughout the city shall continue as a means of reinforcing connections between councilmembers and the entire community.

3. Resource allocation decisions, appointments, policy changes, or other city actions that historically would have required direction from the council will still be approved by the entire council, even if they primarily affect only one district.

4. The city's operations and capital budgets shall continue to be allocated on a line item and/or project basis for expenditure city-wide based on council priorities and shall not be allocated on a district basis for budgeting by individual council members.

5. All city-related interactions with other local jurisdictions, state and federal executive branch agencies, and state and federal elected officials will be coordinated through the city manager's office and will focus whenever possible on the interests of the city as a whole, rather than those of any single district.

6. Budget requests must demonstrate relevance to the city council's strategic plan.

(Ord. 23-8, 10/18/2023)

Pursuant to Government Code Sections 34886 and 34871(c), each member of the West Sacramento city council shall be elected through district based elections in four single-member districts. Each councilmember shall serve a term of four years. The city's district based electoral system shall be conducted in accordance with California Government Code Section 34871(a).

(Ord. 22-17 § 4)

A. The city council shall, by resolution, determine the boundaries of each of the four city council districts in accordance with Elections Code Sections 21601 et seq., and shall adjust those boundaries by resolution following each decennial census and as required by state law. The districts so created shall be numbered districts 1 through 4.

B. Pursuant to Section 2.16.100 and beginning with the general municipal election in November 2022, the members of the city council from districts 3 and 4, shall be elected on a by-district basis as that term is defined in Government Code Section 34871.

C. Pursuant to Section 2.16.100 and beginning with the general municipal election in November 2024, the members of the city council from districts 1 and 2 shall be elected on a by-district basis as that term is defined in Government Code Section 34871.

(Ord. 22-17 § 4)

A. Except as provided in subsection (B) of this section, all candidates for the city council and all appointed and elected councilmembers shall fully comply with applicable law, including, but not limited to, Government Code Sections 34882 and 36502, and Elections Code Section 201. Termination of residency in a district by a councilmember shall create an immediate vacancy for that council district unless a substitute residence within the district is established within thirty days after the termination of residency.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, each of the councilmembers in office at the time this chapter takes effect shall continue in office until the expiration of the full term to which he or she was elected and until his or her successor is qualified. Any vacancies in councilmember seats elected at-large prior to the November 2022 general election shall be filled in the manner prescribed by law. At the end of the term of each councilmember, that member's successor shall be elected on a by-district basis in the districts established in accordance with Section 2.16.110(A) and as subsequently reapportioned as provided by law. A vacancy in a councilmember office elected by-district shall be filled by a person qualified to hold the office, consistent with applicable law.

(Ord. 22-17 § 4)