Capitola hires demographer, approves $45,000 budget amendment for districting outreach

The Capitola City Council voted unanimously to authorize an agreement with National Demographics Corporation (NDC) to serve as the city’s demographer for the districting process and approved a $45,000 budget amendment to fund consultant work, legal noticing and two translated direct-mail mailers to residents.

Staff told the council that NDC was the unanimous recommendation of the ad hoc subcommittee (Vice Mayor Jensen and Mayor Morgan) after an RFP and interviews; staff said NDC has more than 40 years of experience and local work with nearby agencies. The firm’s proposal includes an interactive online mapping tool, paper maps for public meetings, and attendance at five city public meetings (with an option for virtual participation).

Staff presented a consultant budget capped at $35,000: a base project element of $12,500, per-meeting expenses for five public meetings estimated at $15,000, and an optional online mapping toolkit for $4,000; a 10% contingency was included to reach the $35,000 cap. Separately, staff recommended a $10,000 amendment to cover legal noticing and two direct-mail mailers (English and Spanish) to all city residents, bringing the total budget amendment to $45,000. Staff proposed transferring the funds from contingency in the adopted budget because these items were not in the current year budget.

Vice Mayor Jensen noted that while the immediate consultant and noticing budget totals about $45,000, internal legal costs and potential settlement expenses could raise total program costs and suggested a ballpark of roughly $90,000 when internal and contingent costs are included. The council discussed the figure as an estimate rather than a guaranteed total.

During public comment on this item, Enrique Domo Jr., who identified himself as a 17-year resident and a school employee, asked the council to note that he had not contacted the law firm referenced earlier and requested that the firm not use his name when discussing outreach. “If you want to talk to me, give me a call,” he said.

The council approved the agreement authorization (not to exceed $35,000) and the $45,000 budget amendment in a roll-call vote. Staff said the demographer will work with legal counsel and staff to ensure maps meet legal safe-harbor deadlines and that the work would support maps applicable to the 2028 election.

Next steps: the city will execute the NDC agreement, post outreach materials and FAQs, and proceed with the scheduled public meetings for community input on proposed district maps.