HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-01-02; City Council; 6124; Advisory proposition regarding allocation of taxCITY OF CARLSBAD
AGENDA BILL NO. fp / 3 V Initial:
Dept.Hd.
DATE: JANUARY 2, 1980 „ a, .
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DEPARTMENT; CITY MANAGER C. Mgr.
(30)
Subject: ADVISORY PROPOSITION REGARDING ALLOCATION OF STATE
SALES TAX
Statement of the Matter
The League of California Cities at its 1979 Annual Conference
adopted a resolution encouraging all cities to include an
advisory proposition on the next municipal ballot regarding
the allocation of the state sales tax. The League proposes
that an additional one cent of the sales tax be allocated to
cities, counties, and special districts. It is not clear if
the additional one cent would be allocated according to site
of sale or by some other method.
Attached is an information packet on the subject distributed
to all cities by the League. Also attached is a report from
the City's Finance Director analyzing the financial benefit
of the proposed change to the City in light of the limitations
imposed by Proposition 4.
Exhibits
Letter and Information Packet from the League of California
Cities dated December 3, 1979.
Report from Finance Director dated December 17, 1979.
Recommendations
If the Council wishes to place this issue on the April Ballot
as an advisory proposition, your action is. to direct the
staff to prepare the necessary documents for action at
your January 15, 1980 meeting.
Council Action:
1-2-80 Council directed that the matter be placed on the April ballot
as an advisory proposition.
California CitiesWor/c rogethet Sacramento, CA 95814
December 3, 1979
To: Mayors, City Managers and City Clerks in Non-Manager Cities
Subject: Information Packet and Procedures for Local Advisory Propositions
on Distribution of State Sales Tax Revenue (1979 Annual Conference
Resolution No. 62)
Pursuant to the League 1979 Annual Conference Resolution No. 62 encouraging all cities
to include an advisory proposition on the next municipal ballot regarding the alloca-
tion of the state sales tax, an information packet is enclosed.
On September 18, 1979 a virtually identical ballot measure was approved by the voters
in the City of San Diego by a 3 to 1 margin. The iriforraation packet which is en-
closed provides not only the text of the League Annual Conference Resolution but also
the City of San Diego!s ballot measure. The packet also provides suggested and statu-
tory election procedures and deadlines and arguments for and against the measure which
appeared j.n the San Diego voter's pamphlet.
City Clerks attending the League's City Clerks Institute last week also discussed the
procedural aspects of an advisory ballot election with Ann Tanner, City'Clerk of Pale
Alto, and member of the League's Board of DrLrectors.
Because, other cities and the League are interested in following city actions regarding
such an advisory vote, you are requested to respond to the following questions:
City of
1) Has your city considered placing this advisory
measure on the ballot?
2) Will the measure be placed on the ballot?
Yes
Yes
No
No
Please return to tha Sacramento Office of the League as soon as.possible.
(1400 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814)
1400 K STREPT • SACRAMENTO 95814
(91o)444-57(iO
HOTEL CLAREMONT • BERKELEY 94705 900 WILSHIRE BLVD. SUITE 70? • LOS ANGELES 00017
(213)624-1934
\ ) Leaaye of Citli
California Cities 1
Work Together
Information Packet Relating to Local
Advisory Propositions on Distribution
of State S?les Tax Revenues
(1979 Annual Conference Resolution No. 62)
December 3, 1979
1 A lli 1 ^ 1 £ 2.1 lllill
Page
Text of Annual Conference Resolution No. 62
Text of Proposition C, on San Diego City Ballot,
on September 18, 1979
Election Procedures Regarding Local Advsj.ory
Ballot Propositions 4-5
Ballot .Arguments Utilized in San Diego Election 6-7
- 1 -
1400 K STREET • SA"FW 1FNTO 95814 HOTEL Cl AREMONT • BERKF!! F.Y 9470S 900 WILSHIRE RL VD. SUITE 702 • LOS ANGELES 90017
(916)4-W-b790 . ('-15; 043-3083 (^13)624-4934
Text of Annual Conference Resolution No. 62 (Adopted at the 1979 Annual Conference,
San Francisco, September 25, 1979)
"RESOLUTION RELATING TO LOCAL ADVISORY PROPOSITIONS•ON DISTRIBUTION OF STATE SALES
TAX REVENUE
"WHEREAS, local governments in California provide many essential public serv-
ices such as police protection, fire protection, and parks and recreation; and
"WHEREAS, of the 6% sales tax collected in California, only 1% is levied by
local agencies, the remainder being levied by the state for state distribution or
placement in state reserves; and
"WHEREAS, by adopting this resolution, the League of California Cities has no
intention of supporting a change in the distribution of the existing 1^ local sales
tax; and
"WHEREAS, it is the position of the League of California Cities that of the
sales tax, \i of the 4-3/4c? retained by the state should be distributed to local
agencies; now, therefore, be it
"RESOLVED, by the General A.ssembly of the League of California Cities assembled
in Annual Conference in San Francisco, September 25, 1979, that the League encourage
all cities, at an election prior to July 1, 1980, to include an advisory proposition
on the ballot requesting an expression of the public will, which advisory proposition
would read substantially as follows:
'Should the Governor and Legislature of the State of California
be advsied that: ,
'It is the will of the people of the City of that
the Governor and Legislature apportion the existing six cents sales
and use tax so that two cents rather than the present one cent be
allocated to be used by cities and counties and special districts
for priority local services 'rather than by the s.tate for state dis-
tribution or state reserves.
'It is understood that if the Governor and Legislature so act, any
funds resulting therefrom which would cause the city to exceed a
spending limit imposed by a vote of the people of the City of
or the State of California shall, in accordance with
the provisions of nhe limitation, be returned to the people.
'Further, it is the. will of the people that the Governor and LegiS"
lature enact such allocation into law no later than July 1, 1980,
to avoid enactment of this proposal through the initiative process
to cure legislative default."1
— 2 —
Text of Proposition C, as it appeared and was approved on the San Diego City
Ballot, September 18, 1979.
"PROPOSITION C
(THIS PROPOSITION WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT IN THE FOLLOWING FORM)
"PROPOSITION C. ADVISING THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
OF THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO TO HAVE ENACTED INTO LAW A RE-
ALLOCATION OF EXISTING SALES AND USE TAXES.
"Should the Governor and Legislature of the State of California be advised
that:
"It is. the will of the people of the city of San Diego that the Governor
and .the Legislature apportion the existing six cents state sales and use tax so
that two cents rather than the present one cent be allocated to be used by cities
and counties for priority local services rather than by the state for state services
or to the state surplus.
"It is understood that, if the Governor and Legislature so act, any funds re-
sulting therefrom .which would cause the city to exceed a spending limit imposed by
a vote of the people of the City of San Diego or the State of California shall, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 77 of the City Charter, be returned to
the people or expended for capital improvements.
"Further, it is the will of the people that the Governor and Legislature en-
act such allocation into law by no later than the first cf May 1980, to avoid the
urmece.ssary enactment by the people through the initiative process to cure legislative
default."
- 3 -
ELECTION PROCEDURES REGARDING LOCAL ADVISORY
BALLOT PROPOSITIONS
The Elections Code (Section 5353) provides a mechanism for the public to voice
their opinion on substantive.issues or to indicate to the local legislative body
approval or disapproval of the ballot proposal. The "advisory vote" means an
indication of general voter opinion and the results in no way are controlling
on the legislative body.
Procedures for placing an advisory measure on the ballot are briefly summarized
below. You should consult with your city clerk and city attorney regarding the
elections procedures to be followed.
1. Council to place measure on ballot
2. Determine and announce deadline for
submission of arguments
3. City attorney to prepare synopses and may
be requested to prepare impartial analysis
4. Prepaid cards to order synopses
5. Public notice of nominees and measures
6. Committees supporting/opposing measures
1st statement due
2nd statement due
3rd statement due
Suggested
Date
January 24)
)
January 24)
February 13
February 18
February 28
February 23)
March 27 )
June 12 )
Code
Citation
Elec. C.
§54017, 403.8. 5010-
5016 and 22807
Elec. C. §5011
Elec. C. §4018
Elec. C. §§22833-
22835
Gov. C. §§84200-
82205
Suggestions Regarding Advisory Election Procedures:
- While not apparently required by law, ordering submission of the advisory
measure to the electors of the city at the general municipal election should
probably be published to be cautious and avoid any allegations of lack of
notice.
- Since there appears to be no deadline for submission of advisory ballot mea-
sures, the controlling factor is the time required locally to prepare the
necessary sample ballot materials.
City clerks usually prefer to publish any notice of deadlines for subroittal
of ballot arguments at the same time as the Notice of Election (i.e. required
between January 10 and January 24, 1980) in order to give notice of measures
that will be on the ballot.
- Regarding an impartial analysis of the measure, under Elections Code Section
5011 the governing body may request the city attorney to prepare an Impartial
analysis of the measure.
- 4 -
Campaign Disclosure. If groups form to support or oppose the advisory
ha]lot measure qualify as "committees" under the Political Reform Act,
the.n campaign statements will have to be filed as required by law.
Statements are to be filed 40 days prior to the election, 12 days
prior, and 65 or less days after the election (February 28, March 27,
June 12).
Advisory Vole Outside City Boundaries. Section 5353(d) of the Elections
Code apparently permits the sponsoring legislative body to call for an
advisory vote outside the territory of the jurisdiction if the residents
of th?.t territory are affected by the issue and if the advisory election
can be consolidated with the regular or special elections in such terri-
tory. However, there would be additional election costs involved.
Ballot Arguments Utilized in San Diego Election
"ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF PROPOSITION C
"Want to send a message to Sacramento? Then Vote Yes on Proposition C!
Ask yourself, what public services are of the greatest importance to you?
Police protection?
Fire'protection?
Libraries?
Parks and recreation?
All these services are provided by local government and essential to a good quality
of life.
Certainly they are of far greater value than those championed by overstaffed state
and federal bureaxicracies, which produce questionable benefits to the public while
unquestionably devouring your tax dollars.
Did you know that the state collects locally a 6% sales tax, yet returns only slightly
more than 1%? The rest stays in Sacramento where a massive budget surplus has proven
to be an irresistible temptation for Sacramento politicians to underwrite their pet
projects.
Yet, local government is faced with having to reduce or hold the line on these most
important public services.
It simply does not make sense!
Proposition C tells Sacramento it had better get the priorities straight, and address
our most critical needs without increasing the tax burden.
Proposition C proposes that some of that money that now goes to and is spent in
Sacramento be returned to local government so -that city and county government does
not have to be concerned with providing you with the kind of police and fire pro-
tection or other critical services you need and deserve.
Remember that our spending limit and that proposed under the 'Spirit of 13' initiative
requires that any extra revenue would have to be returned to you or be used for much
needed public improvements.
No wonder that Paul Garni, coauthor of Proposition 13 and the new spending limit, sup-
ports Proposition C.
San Diego Taxpayers Association supports Proposition C.
To assure essential local services, to reduce that massive surplus in
Sacramento, vote for local, control and for Proposition C.
PETE WILSON CARLETON LICHTY
Mayor President
City of San Diego - San Diego Chamber of. Commerce
BILL LOWERY JACK PEARSON
Councilman President
City of San Diego " San Diego Police Officers Association"
J. BRUCE HENDERSON
President
Association of Concerned Taxpayers
"ARGUMENT AGAINST PROPOSITION C
"Opposition to diversion of sales tax.
In passing Proposition G & J, 75% of the voters in San Diego voted to establish spend-
ing limits in the county and city respectively. Proposition 13 was overwhelmingly
passed by the voters in an effort to tell government to cut back their spending, not
increase it. Proposition C asks you the voters, whether or not you want to have the
- 6 -
MEMORANDUM
DATE: December 17, 1979
TO: CITY MANAGER
FROM: FINANCE DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED DISTRIBUTION
OF ADDITIONAL SALES TAX TO CITIES
BACKGROUND
According to the attached letter, the League is asking the City
of Carlsbad to support a proposal that would, if enacted by the
State Legislature, allocate an additional 1<£ sales tax from the
State share of the 6<f: sales tax to cities. Since the City
currently receives an allocation of 1<£, the distribution of the
additional 1<£ would double the total sales tax revenue received
by the City of Carlsbad.
Since Proposition 4 places a limit on the amount of tax revenue
a City can collect, any decision to support or oppose this
issue should have some grounds in the ability of Carlsbad to
keep and use this additional revenue. An analysis of the City's
position over the next five years has been prepared to illustrate
the estimated impact of this legislation.
ANALYSIS
According to a review of the City's Proposition 4 position prepared
by the Finance Department, the 1978-79 base for expenditure limit
calculation is about $10,216,000. This base can increase annually
by the sum of the change in population (assumed to be city pop-
ulation change - 9.7% average) and the change in the consumer
price index or per capita income. (A rate of 12% has been used
for these calculations). This combined factor for the City of
Carlsbad should be approximately 21.7% per year.
If the difference between the maximum limit allowed under Propo-
sition 4 and the City's appropriations from proceeds of taxes
for a particular year is relatively small, little or no benefit
would be received by doubling the sales tax revenue since a
considerable amount of tax dollars would have to be returned to
the state or the local taxpayers. If there is a large margin,
the greater portion of the additional sales tax revenue could
be used by the City without exceeding the Proposition 4 limit.
ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED December 17, 1979
DISTRIBUTION OF ADDITIONAL SALES TAX TO CITIES Page 2
In the attached Table it can be seen that if the City were to experience
a 26% increase in annual sales tax revenue as well as a 20% increase
in all other proceeds of taxes, a small margin would still exist
between the total tax revenue and the Proposition 4 limit. This
comes about due to the relatively high base experienced by the City
during 1978-79. The City appropriated a considerable amount more
than the actual 1978-79 revenue to establish the M§0 and construction
reserve funds.
CONCLUSION
Based on the stated assumptions, the City would be able to legally
make use of at least most of the additional revenue generated by
this proposed redistribution of the sales tax. The sales tax has
historically been a dependable source of revenue for the City. A
doubling of the total sales tax revenue would certainly strengthen
the City's fiscal position.
It should be noted that if the proposed income tax cut initative
passes, the state will probably eliminate the bail out funds
distributed to the cities (about 648,000 for Carlsbad). The
sales tax redistribution would be a means of recovering that
loss in very important revenue.
JAMES F. ELLIOTT
Finance Director
JFE:lw
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