Votes aren't even fully counted from last week's general election and already another one looms: The nominating period opens today for Clovis City Council.
Clovis voters will decide whether to re-elect Council Members Lynne Ashbeck and Nathan Magsig. Both confirmed last week that they will seek re-election to third terms.
Voters also could be asked to support a 1-cent hike in the city's sales tax to pay for city services, including police, firefighters, parks maintenance, recreation programs and road work.
Tina Sumner, interim city clerk, said she has received calls from people interested in running for the four-year council seats. She said she will meet with prospective candidates beginning today and give them packets of information about seeking office.
To campaign for council, a prospective candidate must receive a minimum of 20 valid signatures from registered voters. A candidate must be 18 years old and a resident and registered voter in Clovis.
But the March 3 election will likely be about more than two City Council seats.
The council will discuss tonight whether to move forward with a ballot measure in the March election to raise the sales tax in the city by 1 cent for every taxable dollar spent. The sales tax rate in Clovis is 7.975 cents per dollar.
The extra cent would raise about $15 million annually for the city's general fund.
It would help restore more than $6 million in cuts made in the past two years.
The city's general-fund budget is about $54.1 million, which pays for public safety, some parks maintenance, recreation programs and some road work.
The city would need another $8 million annually to restore the level of service the city had three years ago, city officials say. And to meet future service requirements, the city would need an additional $11 million annually.
Placing the measure on the ballot appears to have majority support among council members, as well as the Clovis Police Officers Association and Clovis Firefighters Association, which represent the city's public-safety employees.
The nomination period for council candidates concludes Dec. 5. Those interested in picking up candidate packets may reach Sumner at (559) 324-2070.
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