A crucial deadline looms for a ballot measure aimed at banning the importation of sludge into Imperial County as officials grapple with whether proper procedures were followed.

At issue is the certification of a petition submitted by the citizens group, Imperial Valley Residents for Health and Safety First, which would put the ordinance on the November ballot.

The deadline for the County Board of Supervisors to place the ordinance on the ballot is July 5.

The petition was up for certification by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday but was pulled off the agenda by county Registrar of Voters Dolores Provencio.

“I have some concerns about the publication process and petition format,” Provencio told the board.

It will brought back to the board July 3.

Provencio later said she is conferring with county counsel on whether proper procedures were followed but would not elaborate on those procedures.

“Until I meet with counsel I’m not prepared to discuss it any further,” Provencio said.

Supervisor Victor Carrillo asked whether the delay on the board’s vote could “jeopardize its placement on the November ballot.”

“It’s not a question I feel I can answer at this time,” Provencio said.

The ordinance is aimed to block the importation and disposal of sewage sludge.

It also would prevent governmental bodies from authorizing the disposal of imported sludge.

The petition is the group’s latest effort to stop a proposed sludge-to-energy plant from being built in Imperial County.

An environmental impact review is under way for the Liberty Energy XX plant, headed by Bakersfield-based Liberty Energy.

The environmental impact report could be released as early as November.

Supervisor Larry Grogan has already raised questions of whether the ordinance is constitutional.

County Counsel Ralph Cordova will not comment on the record, other than to say that he has some concerns about the way the ballot measure is worded.

According to California Elections Code, the board can adopt the ordinance without alteration or submit the ordinance to the voters.

After months of gathering signatures, Monique Lopez, a member of Residents for Health and Safety First, said the county seems to be searching for cause to prevent the measure from going to a vote.

Lopez said the group was not informed that there were concerns about the processes they followed in gathering petition signatures.

“It’s a concern of mine because it does not show transparent government,” Lopez said.

>> Staff Writer Brianna Lusk can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 337-3439.