HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSTOC_2025-02-13_Agenda Packet CITY OF ATASCADERO CSTOC and FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
HOW TO OBSERVE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING:
To observe and/or participate in the Citizens’ Sales Tax Oversight (CSTOC) and
Finance Committee Meeting, residents can attend the meeting and provide public
comment in the Council Chamber at Atascadero City Hall.
HOW TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT:
Individuals who wish to provide public comment may attend the meeting in the
Council Chambers at Atascadero City Hall. Individuals who wish to comment but
not in-person may email public comments to cityclerk@atascadero.org. The comments
will be forwarded to the CSTOC and Finance Committees, posted on the City’s website,
and made a part of the administrative record. To ensure distribution to the CSTOC
and Finance Committees prior to consideration of the agenda, the public is
encouraged to submit comments no later than 10:00 a.m. the day of the meeting.
AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT ACCOMMODATIONS:
Any member of the public who needs accommodations should contact the City
Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@atascadero.org or by calling 805-470-3400 at least 48
hours prior to the meeting or time when services are needed. The City will use
their best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to afford as much
accessibility as possible while also maintaining public safety in accordance with
the City procedure for resolving reasonable accommodation requests.
CSTOC and Finance Committee agendas and minutes may be viewed on the
City's website: www.atascadero.org/agendas.
Copies of the staff reports or other documentation relating to each item of business referred to
on the Agenda are on file in the office of the City Clerk and are available for public inspection on
our website, www.atascadero.org. Contracts, Resolutions and Ordinances will be allocated a
number once they are approved by the City Council. All documents submitted by the public
during public that are made a part of the record or referred to in their statement will be noted in
the Minutes and available for review by contacting the City Clerk's office. All documents will be
available for public inspection by appointment during City Hall business hours.
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SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
CITY OF ATASCADERO
CITIZENS’ SALES TAX OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE1 AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Atascadero City Hall, Council Chambers, Fourth Floor
6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, California
CALL TO ORDER: 3:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
PUBLIC COMMENT: (This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wanting to
address the Committees on any matter not on this agenda and over which the Committee
has jurisdiction. Speakers are limited to three minutes. Please state your name for the record
before making your presentation. The Committees may take action to direct staff to place a
matter of business on a future agenda. A maximum of 30 minutes will be allowed for Public
Comment, unless changed by the Committees. Comments will be allowed for the entire 30-
minute period so if the final speaker has finished before the 30 minute period has ended and
a member of the public wishes to make a comment after the Committees have commenced
another item, the member should alert the Clerk within the 30 minute period of their desire to
make a comment and the Committees will take up that comment upon completion of the item
which was commenced).
A. Oaths of Office
1. Administration of Oaths of Office
▪ Administration of Oath of Office to CSTOC Board Members: At Large
Members; Natalie Harnett and Cate Norton, Group Members; Dick Avery
(Atascadero Pickleball Club), Anton Kaul (Atascadero Little League), Vickie
Rabourn (Atascadero Senior Center).
1 Established for the oversight of the 2014 Sales Tax Measure F-14
CSTOC and Finance Committee Special Joint Meeting: 3:30 P.M.
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B. Management Report
1. 2024 Sales Tax Measure D-20 Annual Report
▪ Fiscal Impact: Distribution of the 2024 Measure D-20 Annual Report is
estimated to cost about $5,000 in budgeted General Funds.
▪ Recommendation: Citizens’ Sales Tax Oversight Committee and Finance
Committee review the 2024 Sales Tax Measure D-20 Annual Report and
recommend adoption by Council for distribution to the community.
ADJOURNMENT
The CSTOC will adjourn to its next Regular Meeting on December 11, 2025, and the
Finance Committee will adjourn to its next Special Meeting with a date yet to be
determined.
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CITY OF ATASCADERO
CITIZENS’ SALES TAX OVERSIGHT
COMMITTEE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Item B1
Department: Administrative
Services
Date: 02/13/25
Placement: Management
Report
TO: CITIZENS’ SALES TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
FROM: JERI RANGEL, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
PREPARED BY: CINDY CHAVEZ, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
SUBJECT: Sales Tax Measure D-20 Annual Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Citizens’ Sales Tax Oversight Committee and Finance Committee review the 2024 Sales Tax
Measure D-20 Annual Report and recommend adoption by Council for distribution to the
community.
DISCUSSION:
Sales Tax Measure D-20 is a General Fund “Essential Services Transaction and Use Tax” that
increased the local sales tax rate in Atascadero by one percent to 8.75%. Atascadero voters
passed Measure D-20 in November 2020 to generate revenue to fund many of the community’s
and Council’s key priorities.
Because Measure D-20 is a general tax, related revenues and expenditures are included in the
City’s General Fund and the City’s annual audited financial statements. Transparency and
accountability were an important part of the passing of Measure D-20. As such, Council requested
that the Finance Committee and the Citizen Sales Tax Oversight Committee (CSTOC) annually
review a D-20 Report along with the City’s annual audited Financial Statements at a publicized
joint meeting.
Fiscal year 2023-24 Measure D-20 revenue came in about $6.5 million, or $42,000 over the
budgeted amount. This revenue total was $150,000 higher than the prior fiscal year and has
continued to grow. Following is a graph of the three recent full years of Measure D-20 revenue.
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02/11/25 | Item B1 | Staff Report
As per City Council discussion prior to the passage of Measure D-20, because individual
expenditures would be difficult to track, subject to assumptions and interpretation, and
somewhat meaningless without the review of all general fund expenses, the annual Measure D-
20 report would focus on accomplishments and success of the programs/projects that were to be
implemented with Measure D-20 funds. As part of the 2021-2023 and 2023-2025 Budget
processes, key expenditures were identified that would help to successfully achieve the
community’s goals for the Measure.
Staffing and retention were among those top priorities for Measure D-20 revenues. Measure D-
20 has been instrumental to the City’s efforts to be more competitive with salaries. Due in large
part to Measure D-20, all of the City’s employee groups have agreed to three-year Memorandums
of Understanding. Citywide staffing vacancies are low, recruitments are resulting in a higher
number of quality applicants, and positions are being filled much more quickly than they were
prior to Measure D-20. Because the City is now more competitive, employee attraction and
retention are more successful, leading to better service to the community.
Focusing on Public Safety, Measure D-20 provided funding for much needed additional staffing.
Four additional police officer positions and one additional public safety dispatcher position were
included in the Police Department’s budget. In the Fire Department, one Battalion Chief and one
firefighter (SAFER) position were funded. Funding also included positions for the Outreach for
Underrepresented Residents (OUR) team, which includes two police officers, a County behavioral
health clinician, and an outreach case manager. This team is part of the Countywide Community
Action Team and is dedicated to assisting the community’s most vulnerable citizens. In 2024 alone,
the team helped house 21 individuals, conserved 3 at-risk individuals, and responded to over 700
calls for service. By providing critical support and resources, the OUR Team enhances public
safety, promotes community well-being, and ensures a cleaner, safer Atascadero for everyone.
The Department has also been able to staff a Special Enforcement Team. This team focuses on
$6,239,847
$6,354,899
$6,507,108
$6,100,000
$6,200,000
$6,300,000
$6,400,000
$6,500,000
$6,600,000
Measure D-20 Sales Tax Revenue
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02/11/25 | Item B1 | Staff Report
acute criminal issues that require additional follow-up beyond what the patrol officers have time
to investigate.
Measure D-20 revenues also funded additional replacement reserves for vehicles and equipment,
replacement of the Police Department’s 911 Dispatch System, and some reserves for building
maintenance and replacement. Adding to the vehicle reserves helped to fund a new Type III
wildland fire engine and six new Police Department vehicles.
The new wildland fire engine is shorter and smaller than the Type I structure fire engine. New
state-of-the-art equipment allows firefighters to protect our community as well as our neighbors
throughout the county and state. It is smaller than the structure fire engine, is four-wheel drive,
and has enhanced maneuverability for going up steep driveways or narrow roads. It carries 500
gallons of water and can pump water while driving along the edge of a wildland fire. A new Type
I structure fire engine has also been ordered and is expected to be placed in service in 2026. This
state-of-the-art engine will provide more reliability and lower maintenance costs than the 20+
year-old engine it will replace.
The Police Department has acquired six new patrol vehicles. These vehicles improve response
times, increase officer visibility, and ensure reliable transportation for emergency calls. Upgraded
with modern safety features and advanced technology, they help police officers patrol efficiently
and effectively. This investment strengthens public safety, allowing officers to better protect
residents, deter crime, and respond swiftly to emergencies.
Camp cleanups and vegetation management continue to be other key focuses of Measure D-20
resources. During 2024, 48 tons of debris was removed from encampments, improving public
spaces and the health of the community and its waterways.
A significant priority for Measure D-20 is the replacement of Fire Station #1. The City has long
recognized that Fire Station #1, built in 1952, is outdated and insufficient for current and future
needs.
Measure D-20 revenue is providing funds for a new 16,556 square foot Fire Station #1 and
Emergency Operations Center at the same location as the existing station. It will have 3 apparatus
bays, a separate workout room, upstairs living quarters, and a 900 square foot EOC complete with
break-out rooms, audio/video capabilities, and storage for training and supplies.
Fire Station #2, built in 1986, and the Police Station, in use since 1990, are also outdated,
undersized, and insufficient for current public safety building standards.
Fire Station #2 will increase in size by 850 square feet and will include all new living quarters,
adding an additional bedroom, and creating a lobby and public restroom. All the safety items
included at Fire Station #1 will also be addressed at Fire Sation #2 including a decontamination
room, and spaces for turnout cleaning, storage, and physical fitness separate from the engine bay
and diesel exhaust.
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02/11/25 | Item B1 | Staff Report
The Police Station is being renovated to address modern policing standards and maximize
operational efficiencies. Essential elements of the renovations include roof repair/rehabilitation,
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades, parking area security upgrades,
refreshed interior finishes, restroom/locker room improvements, and upgraded and expanded
detached 1,300 square foot public safety emergency dispatch building.
Staff proposes to fund the bulk of these public safety facilities projects with bond funding. The
debt service payments for these bonds will be paid for with Measure D-20 revenues. The non-
financed portion of this project will be primarily funded with Measure D-20 revenues that the
City has been putting away in Building Maintenance Reserves specifically for this project.
Measure D-20 activity, along with activity of all of the other City funds, are included in the City’s
financial statements that were audited by the independent accounting firm of Moss, Levy &
Hartzheim. Moss, Levy & Hartzheim performed a full audit of the financial statements and found
that the City presented fairly and accurately the City’s financial position, and that the reporting
was in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
The City’s fiscal year 2023-24 ended much better than expected. Expenditures came in at or under
estimates in most funds and divisions. The audit report and related City Council staff report can
be accessed by scanning the QR code below:
The Measure D-20 Report includes information on the Measure and focuses on key
accomplishments surrounding Public Safety.
Staff recommends that the Citizens’ Sales Tax Oversight Committee and the Finance Committee
review the 2024 Sales Tax Measure D-20 Annual Report and recommend adoption by Council for
distribution to the community. The Report will also be made available at City Hall and on the
City’s website.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Distribution of the 2024 Measure D-20 Annual Report is estimated to cost about $5,000 in
budgeted General Funds.
REVIEWED BY OTHERS:
This item has been reviewed by the Administrative Services Director.
ATTACHMENT:
The draft Annual Sales Tax Measure D-20 Report will be presented at the meeting.
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