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Consider introducing an ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Solano County Code to eliminate the requirement that the Chief Information Officer be appointed as the Registrar of Voters; and Read the proposed ordinance by title only and waive further reading by a majority vote
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Consider introducing an ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Solano County Code to eliminate the requirement that the Chief Information Officer be appointed as the Registrar of Voters; and
2. Read the proposed ordinance by title only and waive further reading by a majority vote.
SUMMARY:
In 2004, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 1642 designating the Chief Information Officer to also serve as Registrar of Voters. The combined appointment was retained when the Board republished Chapter 2 through Ordinance No. 1759 in 2015. The current position is vacant, with separate interim incumbents carrying out the Chief Information Officer and Registrar of Voters responsibilities. This vacancy provides an opportunity to evaluate whether the combined structure continues to meet the County’s operational needs.
Since 2004, the complexity and specialized requirements of both information technology and election administration have increased significantly. Staff recommends separating the roles in order to best provide focused leadership and oversight for each function The proposed ordinance would remove the required dual appointment, allowing the Chief Information Officer to continue leading the Department of Information Technology and a separately appointed Registrar of Voters to oversee a Department of Elections.
Because the elections unit within the Department of Information Technology is a self-contained function, staff anticipates that the reorganization can be implemented with minimal operational disruption and without additional positions. If the ordinance is adopted, staff will return to the Board with an updated classification specification for the Registrar of Voters and any related implementation actions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The proposed reorganization is expected to have minimal fiscal impact and does not require additional positions. Existing staff and appropriations supporting elections would be assigned to the separate Department of Elections. Costs associated with preparing the proposed ordinance and this agenda item are nominal and absorbed within existing appropriations.
DISCUSSION:
Government Code section 26802.5 authorizes the Board of Supervisors to appoint a Registrar of Voters. Chapter 2 of the Solano County Code establishes the Registrar of Voters as a Board-appointed officer and assigns the duties of the county elections official to that position. Section 2-152(b), however, provides that the Chief Information Officer is appointed as the Registrar of Voters. As a result, one department head is responsible for both the County’s enterprise information technology services and election administration.
This structure joins two functions that have distinct operational demands. The Department of Information Technology is responsible for countywide technology strategy and service delivery, including cybersecurity, enterprise systems, infrastructure, data management, and service continuity. The Registrar of Voters is responsible for administering federal, state, and local elections under detailed statutory requirements and deadlines while maintaining election security, accessibility, accuracy, and transparency.
Since 2004 when the roles were initially combined, the scope and complexity of both functions have expanded. Separate departmental leadership would allow each department head to focus on specialized operational, workforce, and technology needs; improve accountability; and support succession planning. The current use of separate interim incumbents also provides a practical transition point for implementing the change.
Operationally, existing elections staff and functions would remain together under the Registrar of Voters in a separate Department of Elections. The Department of Information Technology would remain under the Chief Information Officer. Staff anticipates no immediate need for additional positions. Staff will separately return with an updated Registrar of Voters classification specification and any related implementation actions.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to introduce the proposed ordinance or may direct staff to revise it and return at a future meeting. If the Board takes no action, Solano County Code section 2-152(b) will continue to require the Chief Information Officer to serve as Registrar of Voters. This alternative is not recommended as the increasing complexity and specialized responsibilities of both functions warrant dedicated executive leadership.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrator’s Office coordinated with the Department of Information Technology, Human Resources, and County Counsel in developing the proposed reorganization. County Counsel drafted the proposed ordinance.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION