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SGS - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion of a Democracy Voucher Program and a Public Matching Funds Program and, if Desired, (2) Provide Direction to Staff as Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: December 3, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager's Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Standing Governance Subcommittee (11/25/2025)
Department Approval: John Nachbar, City Manager (11/25/2025) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Standing Governance Subcommittee discuss Democracy Voucher Program and a Public Matching Funds Program and, if desired, (2) provide direction to staff as appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
At the October 8, 2025 Standing Governance Subcommittee Meeting, the Subcommittee discussed Democracy Vouchers. Staff has prepared answers to the Subcommittee's following questions about this item:
1. Question: A Democracy Voucher program will have an impact, but if the City was to move forward with, e.g., the Seattle-type version, what would that look like in terms of an obligation from the City?
Answer: Staff, if directed by the City Council, would need to identify funding sources for a Democracy Voucher Program. One option would be for the City Council or a resident-initiated petition to bring forth a residential parcel levy to the voters during an election.
2. Question: Are there any estimates of cities with a similar population to Culver City that have a Democracy Voucher Program, including data around typical percentages of residents who opt-in to this kind of program?
Staff researched but did not find any publicly documented resident voter voucher programs in cities with a population under approximately 50,000 residents.
3. Question: How is Oakland standing up its Democracy Vouch...
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