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180 <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati explained that enabling legislation was adopted by the General <br />Assembly last year which allows localities to move their Council elections to November. <br />Richmond and North have moved the election date, and Virginia Beach is considering it. <br />Mr. Caravati said that the League of Women Voters has accepted the job of farther <br />researching the issue and providing some sort of public education. <br /> Ms. Cheri Lewis, Chair of the Electoral Board, said that the Board feels there <br />would be benefits to moving the elections to November, noting that Virginia is the only <br />state where elections are held every year. Ms. Lewis said that staffing of precincts is <br />always an issue, but the most compelling reason is the cost savings of $29,293 every <br />year. Ms. Lewis said that the main concern she ~has heard is that there would be less <br />focus on local issues. Ms. Lewis noted that elections for constitutional officers are <br />always held in November. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he has heard some discussion about moving Council elections <br /> to odd years to coincide with state elections, but Mr. Brown, City Attorney, said that if <br /> the year is changed Council may need enabling legislation. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that with the exception of salaries, election expenses are paid <br /> by localities, and she hopes we will continue with our push to relieve local governments <br /> of this responsibility. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked about the process to further study the issue, and Mr. Caravati said <br /> he feels it would be advisable to have a public hearing at the first meeting in November. <br /> Mr. Caravati noted that the issue can also be placed on the ballot if a certain number of <br /> signatures are obtained on a petition. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she would like to know how Richmond fares in their elections, <br /> and would like information on the amount of coverage given to local' elections when the <br /> elections are held in November. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he feels data from counties would be germane since their <br />elections are held in November. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that .probably more people will vote if the elections are held in <br />November, but the question is whether they make a perfunctory vote without knowledge <br />of the issues. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he would like to know the percentage of votes for constitutional <br />officers. Mr. Cox noted that only 28% of registered voters voted in the last Council <br />election. Mr. Cox expressed concern that a public hearing with no public education may <br />not be worth muck <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he thinks we should have a public hearing, but expressed <br />concern about having it the night before the election. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said the issue could be addressed first on the agenda on November <br /> <br />ORDINANCE: CITY COUNCIL SALARIES <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said that Council may want to have a public hearing on increasing <br />Council salaries. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brown said that the current salaries of $6,000 a year for Councilors and <br />$8,000 a year for the Mayor, were increased in 1995; previous the salaries were $5,000 <br />and $7,000. The salary for the Chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors is <br />$13,030 and the salary for Board members is $11,230, and their salaries are considered <br />annually during their budget process. Mr. Brown said any salary increase for Council <br />would not take effect until July 1, 2002. <br /> <br /> <br />