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12. Regular Meeting October 25, 2004 Page 12 provided a window of time that city governments can look at their Uniform Election Date for their General Election. She stated the City of San Marcos holds their City Council Elections in May and the window allows for the Council to consider changing the Election Day to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. She stated the City Council has until December 31, 2004, to change the Election date. She stated last year the City Attorney provided the Council with several legislative changes, and at that time the Council decided to discuss the election date this year. Mayor Narvaiz asked the Council whether there was a consensus to hold a discussion to consider changing the Election Date at the next Regular Meeting. Mr. Diaz stated he has been an advocate of moving the City Election from May. Mr. Thomaides inquired whether the Election would have to be held on the first Saturday in May. Ms. Womack stated the election would have to be held on the first Saturday in Mayor the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Mr. Taylor inquired whether there would be a savings if the election was moved to November. Ms. Womack stated an election can run around $20,000.00, which we currently have a cost saving now, by holding a joint election with San Marcos School District. Mayor Narvaiz stated if the Elections are moved to November, it would be a cost savings by holding the Elections with the County. Mr. Thomaides inquired whether the City would have to hold a joint election with the County in November. Ms. Womack stated the County's General Election is in November, so the City could hold a Joint Election with the County. Mr. Thomaides stated he has some concerns about a Saturday election versus a Tuesday election. Mr. Mihalkanin stated he feels the change of an election date has enormous implications for the future of our community, and the public should have some input. He stated he is concerned about the implications of driving up costs of candidates running for office to the City Council. He also stated the City Council candidates would be competing for attention on presidential years with Presidential Candidates, Senators, and Congressmen and other years with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Supreme Court Justices. Mr. Guerrero stated he is interested in exploring the opportunity to change the election to November. He also stated he feels the change would bring out more voters. Mr. Taylor stated he is interested in looking at November from the standpoint of getting away from the Cinco de Mayo weekend. The Council agreed by consensus to hold a public hearing regarding the election date and a discussion and direction item at the next meeting. I I Mayor Narvaiz introduced a discussion regarding date for Board and Commission Reception (proposed date: Thursday, January 6, 2005, from 5:30- 7:00 p.m.). Mayor Narvaiz stated the Board and Commission Reception will be for outgoing members and newly appointed members. She stated the outgoing members will be provided a Certificate of Appreciation and the newly appointed members will be administered with a Ceremonial Oath. The Council agreed by consensus to hold the Board and Commission Reception on Thursday, January 6, 2005, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. I