Resolution No. 2018-013RESOLUTION NO. 2018-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON OPPOSING THE TAX FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2018
WHEREAS, the City of Vernon (the "City") is a municipal
corporation and a chartered city of the State of California organized
and existing under its Charter and the Constitution of the State of
California; and
WHEREAS, California's cities, counties and special districts
follow strict guidelines and existing state law regarding the
establishment of reasonable fees and the required voter approval of
all local taxes; and
WHEREAS, there is a signature -gathering campaign for a
state ballot measure currently sponsored by the California Business
Roundtable that would severely harm the ability of local governments
to continue to provide quality services by imposing onerous roadblocks
to raising local revenue to address community needs, services and
infrastructure improvements; and
WHEREAS, it is important for local community members, in
concert with their duly elected officials, rather than a special
interest group in Sacramento, to determine the services and funding
levels appropriate for their own cities; and
WHEREAS, the proposed ballot measure would allow businesses
to escape from their existing obligations to pay the full cost of
services that they request and receive from local agencies and benefit
from; and
WHEREAS, the proposed ballot measure would then shift the
burden of these uncovered costs from business interests to
local general funds supported by taxpayers, and thereby reduce
general funds available to support police, fire, public works, and
other community services; and
WHEREAS, by memorandum dated May 15, 2018, the City
Administrator has recommended the City Council oppose the Tax Fairness,
Transparency and Accountability Act of 2018 to preserve the City's
authority to make important decisions about its needs on a local level
and avoid disruption to local government operations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
finds and determines that the above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon finds
that this action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA), because the action is a general policy and procedure making
activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in
the environment, and therefore does not constitute a "project" as
defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
SECTION 3: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
states its opposition to the Tax Fairness, Transparency and
Accountability Act of 2018 sponsored by the California Business
Roundtable on the grounds that this measure would harm the ability of
local communities to adequately fund services.
SECTION 4: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
directs the City Clerk, or the City Clerk's designee, to email a copy
of this adopted resolution to the League of California Cities at
citylettersscacities.org.
- 2 -
SECTION 5: The City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall
certify to the passage, approval and adoption of this resolution, and
the City Clerk, of the City of Vernon shall cause this resolution and
the City Clerk's certification to be entered in the File of Resolutions
of the Council of this City.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of May, 2018.
- luqE_*17
Name: 'Yvette Woodruff -Perez
ATTEST:
51
Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk
APPROVED S TO FORM:
Zaynah Mous ,
Senior Deputy City Attorney
- 3 -
Title: Mayor /
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution No. 2018-13,
was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City
of Vernon at a regular meeting of the City Council duly held on
Tuesday, May 15, 2018, and thereafter was duly signed by the Mayor or
Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Vernon.
Executed this095— day of May, 2018, at Vernon, California.
(SEAL)
p Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk
- 4 -
TRANSMITTAL COMMUNICATION
...II of �Er•-
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, California 90058
Telephone (323) 583-8811
May 30, 2018
League of California Cities
cityletters@cacities.org
Re: Resolution No. 2018-13 — Opposing the Tax Fairness, Transparency and Accountability Act
of 2018
Dear Sir of Madam:
Please find enclosed Resolution No. 2018-13 that was approved by City Council on May 15,
2018, Opposing the Tax Fairness, Transparency and Accountability Act of 2018.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Diana Figueroa at (323) 583-8811
ext. 570.
Very truly yours,
r
1
4eborah YR. Juarez
Records Management Assistant
Attachment
Carlos Fandino
Diana Figueroa
Resolution No. 2018-13
EXcfusivef Industrial
STAFF REPORT
City Council Agenda Item Report
Agenda Item No. COV-91-2018
Submitted by: Diana Figueroa
Submitting Department: City Administration
Meeting Date: May 15, 2018
SUBJECT
A Resolution Opposing the Tax Fairness, Transparency and Accountability Act of 2018
Recommendation:
A. Find that approval of the attached resolution in this staff report is exempt from California. Environmental Quality Act
('CEQA') review, because it is a general policy and procedure making activity that will not result in direct or indirect
physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a "project" as defined by CEQA Guidelines
section 15378; and
B. Adopt a Resolution Opposing the Tax Fairness, Transparency and Accountability Act of 2018, a measure that
would amend the State Constitution to impose restrictions on the financial authority of local governments, impacting
cities' ablhty to address community needs through taxes, fees, and other charges.
Backgroud:
As it stands, California's cities, counties and special districts follow strict guidelines and existing state law regarding the
establishment of reasonable fees and the required voter approval of all local taxes. Currently, there is a measure (AG#
17-0050 Amdt. # 1) sponsored by the California Business Roundtable being circulated amongst lawmakers that has
acquired 25% of the signatures needed to quality for the November 2018 statewide ballot. The 'Tax Fairness,
Transparency and Accountability Act of 2018" would amend the State Constitution to change the rules for how the state
and local governments can impose taxes, fees, and other charges. It is the City's view that the ability for a city to raise
any new revenues is a local control issue which should be addressed by local community members, in concert with their
duly elected officials, to determine the services and funding levels appropriate for their own cities.
The proposed state ballot measure would severely impact the ability for the City of Vernon to continue to provide
quality services by making it virtually impossible to raise revenue to address community needs, services and much
needed infrastructure improvements. As such, it would also have a dramatic impact on the climate in our community.
In summary, the treasure proposes the following:
-Restrictions on municipal finance authority
-Restrictions on local tax authority
-Restrictions on local fee authority
The proposed measure is opposed by the League of California Cities. It is recommended that the Vernon City Council
oppose the proposed state ballot measure to preserve the City's authority to make important decisions about its needs
on a local level and avoid disruption to local government operations.
Fiscal Impact:
None.
ATTACHMENTS
• Opposing the_Tax_Fairness_Transparency_and_Accountability_Act_of_2018_-_Resolution(1)(DFrev).doc
• Opposing the Tax Fairness Transparency and Accountability Act of 2018 - Resolution.doc
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON OPPOSING THE TAX FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2018
WHEREAS, the City of Vernon (the "City") is a municipal
corporation and a chartered city of the State of California organized
and existing under its Charter and the Constitution of the State of
California; and
WHEREAS, California's cities, counties and special districts
follow strict guidelines and existing state law regarding the
establishment of reasonable fees and the required voter approval of
all local taxes; and
WHEREAS, there is a signature -gathering campaign for a
state ballot measure currently sponsored by the California Business
Roundtable that would severely harm the ability of local governments
to continue to provide quality services by imposing onerous roadblocks
to raising local revenue to address community needs, services and
infrastructure improvements; and
WHEREAS, it is important for local community members, in
concert with their duly elected officials, rather than a special
interest group in Sacramento, to determine the services and funding
levels appropriate for their own cities; and
WHEREAS, the proposed ballot measure would allow businesses
to escape from their existing obligations to pay the full cost of
services that they request and receive from local agencies and benefit
from; and
WHEREAS, the proposed ballot measure would then shift the
burden of these uncovered costs from business interests to
K?
local general funds supported by taxpayers, and thereby reduce
general funds available to support police, fire, public works, and
other community services; and
WHEREAS, by memorandum dated May 15, 2018, the City
Administrator has recommended the City Council oppose the Tax Fairness,
Transparency and Accountability Act of 2018 to preserve the City's
authority to make important decisions about its needs on a local level
and avoid disruption to local government operations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
finds and determines that the above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon finds
that this action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA), because the action is a general policy and procedure making
activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in
the environment, and therefore does not constitute a "project" as
defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
SECTION 3: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
states its opposition to the Tax Fairness, Transparency and
Accountability Act of 2018 sponsored by the California Business
Roundtable on the grounds that this measure would harm the ability of
local communities to adequately fund services.
SECTION 4: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
directs the City Clerk, or the City Clerk's designee, to email a copy
of this adopted resolution to the League of California Cities at
cityletters@cacities.org.
4
- 2 -
SECTION 5: The City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall
certify to the passage, approval and adoption of this resolution, and
the City Clerk, of the City of Vernon shall cause this resolution and
the City Clerk's certification to be entered in the File of Resolutions
of the Council of this City.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of May, 2018.
ATTEST:
Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Zaynah Moussa,
Senior Deputy City Attorney
- 3 -
Name:
Title: Mayor / Mayor Pro-Tem
5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution No. ,
was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City
of Vernon at a regular meeting of the City Council duly held on
Tuesday, May 15, 2018, and thereafter was duly signed by the Mayor or
Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Vernon.
Executed this day of May, 2018, at Vernon, California.
(SEAL)
- 4 -
Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk
0
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VERNON OPPOSING THE TAX FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY AND
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2018
WHEREAS, the City of Vernon (the "City") is a municipal
corporation and a chartered city of the State of California organized
and existing under its Charter and the Constitution of the State of
California; and
WHEREAS, California's cities, counties and special districts
follow strict guidelines and existing state law regarding the
establishment of reasonable fees and the required voter approval of
all local taxes; and
WHEREAS, there is a signature -gathering campaign for a
state ballot measure currently sponsored by the California Business
Roundtable that would severely harm the ability of local governments
to continue to provide quality services by imposing onerous roadblocks
to raising local revenue to address community needs, services and
infrastructure improvements; and
WHEREAS, it is important for local community members, in
concert with their duly elected officials, rather than a special
interest group in Sacramento, to determine the services and funding
levels appropriate for their own cities; and
WHEREAS, the proposed ballot measure would allow businesses
to escape from their existing obligations to pay the full cost of
services that they request and receive from local agencies and benefit
from; and
WHEREAS, the proposed ballot measure would then shift the
burden of these uncovered costs from business interests to
7
local general funds supported by taxpayers, and thereby reduce
general funds available to support police, fire, public works, and
other community services; and
WHEREAS, by memorandum dated May 15, 2018, the City
Administrator has recommended the City Council oppose the Tax Fairness,
Transparency and Accountability Act of 2018 to preserve the City's
authority to make important decisions about its needs on a local level
and avoid disruption to local government operations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
finds and determines that the above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Vernon finds
that this action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA), because the action is a general policy and procedure making
activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in
the environment, and therefore does not constitute a "project" as
defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
SECTION 3: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
states its opposition to the Tax Fairness, Transparency and
Accountability Act of 2018 sponsored by the California Business
Roundtable on the grounds that this measure would harm the ability of
local communities to adequately fund services.
SECTION 4: The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby
directs the City Clerk, or the City Clerk's designee, to email a copy
of this adopted resolution to the League of California Cities at
cityletters@cacities.org.
N
- 2 -
SECTION 5: The City Clerk of the City of Vernon shall
certify to the passage, approval and adoption of this resolution, and
the City Clerk, of the City of Vernon shall cause this resolution and
the City Clerk's certification to be entered in the File of Resolutions
of the Council of this City.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of May, 2018.
ATTEST:
Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Zaynah Moussa,
Senior Deputy City Attorney
- 3 -
Name:
Title: Mayor / Mayor Pro-Tem
0
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I, Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk of the City of Vernon, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Resolution, being Resolution No. ,
was duly passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City
of Vernon at a regular meeting of the City Council duly held on
Tuesday, May 15, 2018, and thereafter was duly signed by the Mayor or
Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Vernon.
Executed this day of May, 2018, at Vernon, California.
(SEAL)
- 4 -
Maria E. Ayala, City Clerk
10