Council: Switch to Even-Year Elections Will Save City Money

Livermore voters may be asked to ditch the city's longstanding odd-year elections to help the city save money, according to reports.

A move to even-year elections would help the city save $300,000 per municipal election. The city council is expected to vote Monday on whether to place an initiative on the Nov. 6 ballot that would change Livermore's election cycle to even years, and if voters would support an immediate switch or one at a later date, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

An immediate change would extend the terms of current council and mayor by an additional year. Further details from the San Jose Mercury News report:

(Mayor John) Marchand, Vice Mayor Doug Horner and councilman Bob Woerner, who was appointed in December to Marchand's vacant seat, all have terms that expire in 2013. The seats of council members Laureen Turner and Stewart Gary, who both won four-year terms in November, expire in 2015.

"There may be some that think I have ulterior motives, but that is not the case" Marchand said. "My main concern is saving money."

City officials have said the money tied to odd-year elections could be used for hiring more police officers and supporting the — services that have been affected by city budget cuts over the years.

The Independent newspaper reports Livermore voters approved a switch to odd years in 1982. Further details from an Independent article published earlier this month:

The idea behind holding the vote in odd years was that Livermore issues would receive more attention if Livermore elections were not held at the same time as national and statewide elections.

The cost for a November 2012 vote would be $50,000, according to the Independent.

View The Independent article here.

View the San Jose Mercury News article here.

Monday's council meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the , 3575 Pacific Ave.