For a second time, the Ceres City Council rejected a staff request to lock into a five-year contract with NetFile, Inc. for electronic filing of certain required political documents.

Members expressed concerns about the $5,100 annual costs as well as other aspects of the contract.

The firm would have helped in the electronic filing of campaign statements, Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700), and provide AB 1234 Ethics Training and SB 827 Financial Training.

The state Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires elected officials, planning commissioners, and select city employment positions to submit a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) each year. In addition, elected officials must submit campaign statements throughout the year as well as all council candidates during election years. Currently, the forms are submitted via hard copy to the city clerk’s office with no option of filing electronically, with the exception of AB 1170 which requires 87200 filers submit their Form 700 directly via the FPPC’s eDisclosure website.

SB 827 went into effect Jan. 1 which requires select staff members, elected officials and appointed members complete a financial training every two years.

The council rejected a similar agreement in March, 2025.

City Clerk Fallon Martin recommended the contract for more seamless and convenient submittals required FPPC submittals and required trainings. Filers will not be required to submit hard copied, wet signed documents. She also believed it would save great deal of staff time and limit liability with staff conducting redactions.

Staff is recommending the City enter into an agreement with NetFile, a secure, hosted system that provides the opportunity for Form 700s, campaign statements, the required AB 1234 Ethics Training, and SB 827 Financial Training to be conducted electronically. 

The NetFile system also has a public portal where the public may view these documents.

Martin felt a contract made sense given that SB 827 financial training alone would have cost $3,250 through the California Special Districts Association for the 26 in Ceres needing it.

“Since we just basically pulled money from the General Fund and we just cut the aquatics program, I don’t know if I necessarily feel comfortable spending money on something that approximately 15 people have to submit,” said Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra.

Martin replied that approximately 50 staff members have to submit the Form 700. She said few vendors offer financial training burdened by the state upon local government.

“I just don’t know if it’s necessarily a wise financial decision right now considering our tough financial times that we’re dealing with this financial year,” Vierra continued.

Martin, however, countered that the funds were budgeted this fiscal cycle.

Vierra commented that SB 827 doesn’t kick in for another two years and that she found training cheaper on her own.

However, City Attorney Nubia Goldstein said SB 827 is delayed for existing elected officials but not for newly appointed commissioners and elected officials.

After being corrected, Vierra held to her guns and suggested other organizations offered cheaper services.

Supporting the contract were Councilmember Cerina Otero and Mayor Javier Lopez. Councilman James Casey voted no, saying he didn’t support the budget last June while Vierra also voted no. The council was deadlocked 2-2, resulting in a procedural denial.

The council was short a member as Vice Mayor Daniel Martinez was absent.