Council orders special election after certifying Friends of the Ross Firehouse petition

The Town Council received and filed the certification of the Friends of the Ross Firehouse Initiative after county elections staff verified 296 signatures — well above the 173 required to qualify the measure for the ballot.

Town Manager Krista Johnson summarized the petition history and legal process: proponents filed the initiative on Oct. 2, 2025; the county verified signature sufficiency by letter dated Jan. 22, 2026. Town staff outlined the council’s three options under Elections Code §9215: adopt the ordinance as written, submit it unchanged to the voters at a consolidated election, or order a report and then either adopt or send it to voters. County cost estimates presented by staff put a consolidated general election in November at about $3,000–$6,000 to the town and a consolidated special election (the county recommended June 2) at roughly $11,000–$27,000 depending on turnout and consolidation factors.

Councilmembers debated timing, cost, and legal obligations. One member said the town should show good faith to the state housing agency and proceed; others said the town should not adopt the ordinance without voter input. After a motion to adopt Resolution 2609 (to order the measure to an election consolidated with the county), the council approved the motion by roll call vote 3–2.

The motion will move the measure toward the ballot calendar (staff and county will proceed with the consolidation paperwork, ballot question text and scheduling). The council did not adopt the ordinance without alteration.