HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2003-071 RESOLUTION NO. 2003-071
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING A STATEWIDE BALLOT
INITIATIVE TO REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL BEFORE STATE
GOVERNMENT MAY TAKE LOCAL TAX FUNDS
WHEREAS, State government annually seizes over $800 million in city property tax
funds (ERAF) statewide, costing cities over $6.9 billion in lost revenues over the past 12 years
and seriously reducing resources available for local public safety and other services; and
WHEREAS, in adopting the State budget this year, the Legislature and Governor
appropriated local vehicle license fee backfill and redevelopment property tax funds that are
needed to finance critical city services; and
WHEREAS; the deficit financing plan in the State budget depends on local property and
sales tax swap that leaves City services vulnerable if the State's economic condition fails to
improve and the adopted State budget assumes an ongoing structural budget deficit of at least $8
billion, putting City resources and services at risk in future years to additional State revenue
raids; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly clear that State leaders will continue to use local tax funds
to balance the State budget unless the voters limit the power of the Legislature and Governor to
do so, and that the voters of California are the best judges of whether local tax funds should be
diverted, confiscated, shifted, or otherwise taken to finance an ever-expanding State government;
and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of Voting Delegates of the League of California
Cities at its September 10, 2003 meeting voted to sponsor a statewide ballot initiative to
empower the voters to limit the ability of State government to confiscate local tax funds to fund
State government; and
WHEREAS, the League has requested that cities offer support for a November 2004
ballot initiative that will allow voters to decide whether State government may appropriate local
tax funds to fund State government operations and responsibilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Atascadero, that the City hereby expresses its strong support for a statewide ballot initiative to
allow voters to decide whether local tax funds may be taken, confiscated, shifted, diverted, or
otherwise used to fund State government operations and responsibilities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council and staff are authorized to
provide impartial informational materials on the initiative as may be lawfully provided by the
City's representatives. No public funds shall be used to campaign for or against the initiative,
City of Atascadero
Resolution No.2003-071
Page 2 of 2
and the residents of the City of Atascadero are encouraged to become well informed on the
initiative and its possible impacts on the critical local services on which they rely.
On motion by Council Member Scalise and seconded by Council Member O'Malley,the
foregoing Resolution is herby adopted in its entirety on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Luna,O'Malley,Pacas, Scalise and Mayor Clay
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADOPTED: November 25, 2003
CITY OF ATASCADERO
j Jerry L lay, Sr., May
ATTEST: Lf
M&ttt �)
Marcia McClure Torgerson,C.M.C.,Cit 0clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
14
'I d a—,
Roy 1�. Hanley,City A orney