AGENDA DATE: 8/3/2016
TITLE:
Title
Public Awareness and Education Plan for General Obligation Bond Referendum
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Discussion of Draft Public Awareness and Education Plan for General Obligation Bond Referendum on November 8, 2016
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Letteri, Catlin, Kamptner, Henry, Lewis
PRESENTER (S): Lee Catlin
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: On June 1, 2016, during a discussion regarding the proposed General Obligation Bond Referendum, the Board discussed the importance of clearly explaining both the upcoming bond referendum process and also the specific projects to be included in the referendum to County voters. During the July 6, 2016 meeting, the Board approved the referendum question and adopted a resolution to request a special election to conduct the referendum. At that time, staff noted that they would bring a draft public awareness and education plan, including estimated budget impacts, to the Board for discussion at the August 3 Board meeting.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal 1 - Citizen Engagement. Goal 2 - Critical Infrastructure.
DISCUSSION: Virginia Code ? 24.2-687 authorizes a local governing body to provide for the preparation and printing of an explanation for each referendum question to be submitted to the voters of the locality to be distributed at the polling places on the day of the referendum election. The following expenditures are permissible and form the basis of the draft public awareness and education plan that has been developed by a staff team from the School Division and Local Government.
- The County Attorney is required to prepare any explanation of the referendum. The explanation is required to contain the ballot question and a statement of not more than 500 words, is to be written in "Plain English," using non-technical, readily understandable language and common everyday terms, is to be "neutral," and may not presen...
Click here for full text