Endorsed) Gilroy, California*

R1b

Governing entities within Santa Clara County should voluntarily submit their ballot questions to the County Counsel for review prior to submission to the Registrar of Voters, unless and until

R1c

Governing entities within Santa Clara County should, by March 31, 2023, adopt their own resolution or ordinance to require submission of their ballot questions to the County Counsel for review prior to submission to the Registrar of Voters, unless and until Recommendations 1d and 1e are implemented. City of Gilroy Response to Recommendation 1c: The City of Gilroy finds this recommendation unwarranted, and it will not be implemented by the City. The City of Gilroy does not often have local measures on the ballot, and has not encountered the type of problem discussed in the report. The Gilroy City Attorney will continue to provide the services identified and the City will not be shifting those responsibilities to County Counsel.

R1d

is implemented. City of Gilroy Response to Recommendation 1b: The City of Gilroy finds this recommendation unwarranted, and it will not be implemented by the City. The City of Gilroy will retain local control of ballot measure questions and will not hand over that responsibility to County Counsel. The Gilroy City Council will continue to review and approve ballot measure language, as the Gilroy City Council is the body elected by, and responsible to, the residents of the City of Gilroy. In addition, the City of Gilroy has a qualified City Attorney to provide the review as is being proposed in Recommendation 1b.

R1e

Governing entities within Santa Clara County should submit their ballot questions for review by the Good Governance in Ballots Commission pursuant to Recommendation 1d. City of Gilroy Response to Recommendation 1e: The City of Gilroy finds this recommendation unwarranted, and it will not be implemented by the City. The County of Santa Clara does not have the authority to regulate another agency and, as a Charter City, Gilroy will retain local control. 1 . . . Passing legislation that would enable the County of Santa Clara to have an express grant of power over local agencies would be a dangerous precedent and would take away local Gilroy control and grant control to the County of Santa Clara. The elected officials of Gilroy take the ballot measure process very seriously and will continue to satisfy their responsibilities to the residents of Gilroy to ensure a thorough review and approval of any ballot measure questions. The City Council has carefully reviewed and considered the concerns raised in the report. The Gilroy City Council supports clear, accurate, and non-biased ballot measure questions and is mindful of the issues raised. We thank the Civil Grand Jury for their interest in this important issue. Sincerely, Marie Blankley Marie Blankley Mayor City of Gilroy Gilroy City Council Members CC: Gilroy City Administrator Gilroy City Attorney Gilroy Assistant City Administrator