Redding council votes to consolidate Nov. 4 special election with statewide vote, authorizes $10,000 for clerk

The City of Redding City Council voted unanimously to consolidate the city’s Nov. 4, 2025, special municipal election with a statewide special election and to authorize $10,000 for the city clerk’s office to assist with election administration, council members and staff said.

Elections official Ms. Tipton told the council that the council previously adopted a resolution calling a citizens initiative to the Nov. 4 special election proposing a 1% sales and use tax to fund public safety infrastructure and parks. With the state scheduling a statewide special election for Nov. 4, Senate Bill 280 authorizes consolidation of the city’s special election with the statewide contest “notwithstanding the requirements of election code 10403 and 10406,” Tipton said. “Consolidating the city's with the statewide special election on November 4 would minimize costs, maximize voter participation, reduce voter confusion, and comply with state election law,” she said.

Tipton presented two proposed resolutions: one to call for consolidation under SB 280 and a second to make budgetary adjustments to cover election-related expenses, including consultant or legal services if needed. Councilmember Littall sought clarification on the $10,000 requested for the clerk’s office, asking whether that sum was routine administrative cost or an extra expense tied to this initiative. Tipton replied the $10,000 would help the clerk’s office navigate this citizens-driven initiative and that the larger $30,000 figure discussed for the city attorney’s office was hypothetical and would be spent only if the county proceeded in a way that required extra legal work.

After discussion, Councilmember Littall moved to authorize the $10,000 for the city clerk’s office now and defer any additional consultant or attorney funding. The motion was seconded and approved on a roll-call vote with four ayes and one absence. Dr. Danuka, Councilmember Resner and Councilmember Latav voted yes; Councilmember Oded was absent; Mayor Munz voted yes. The council directed staff to make the modification for the mayor’s signature the next day and noted that any further adjustments could be handled at midyear budget review if needed.

During public comment before the council took action, a resident identified only as Dolores criticized Shasta County officials’ handling of the matter and said she had submitted complaints to the California secretary of state and the attorney general. Dolores said county actions amounted to a threat tying land deals to election outcomes and called that conduct “totally wrong. It’s unconstitutional,” adding she had already provided materials to state officials and consulted lawyers.

Tipton also noted that, at the council’s prior meeting, the council adopted a separate resolution requesting the Shasta County Board of Supervisors to direct the Shasta County Register of Voters to provide assistance for the city’s election; the county took up that request at its board meeting earlier in the week.

The council’s immediate action authorizes the clerk’s office to use $10,000 from the city budget to support administration of the consolidated Nov. 4, 2025, election. Council members said they prefer to avoid spending larger sums unless necessary and will reconsider any additional funding later if circumstances require it.