HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-379RESOLUTION NO. 2005-379
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN BERNARDINO URGING THE SAN BERNARDINO V ALLEY MUNICIPAL WATER
DISTRICT TO REPEAL THE RECENT TAX INCREASE AND TO REDESIGN THE DEBT
PAYMENT THROUGH A MEANS THAT IS FAIR TO ALL CUSTOMERS.
WHEREAS, the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District was formed in 1954 to
plan long-range water sup:ply for the San Bernardino Valley, and imports water into its service
area through participation In the California State Water Project; and
WHEREAS, as one of 29 contractors to the California State Water Project, the District
is required to make annual payments to the Project, which are funded by property tax assessments
within the District's boundaries; and
WHEREAS, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District's recent 14% property tax
increase is excessive; and
WHEREAS, the District's tax increase unfairly burdens owners of recently-purchased
properties regardless of their ability to pay, and shields long-term homeowners 'from the increased
cost of water; and
WHEREAS, this tax policy results in concealing a portion of the increased cost of water
service in annual property tax bills that most mortgage payers do not directly receive; and
WHEREAS, the District's use of :property tax as the primary means of raising revenue
results in assessments that are related to indIvidual property valuation, and not to actual individual
water usage; and
WHEREAS, this rate structure is a significant disincentive to current and future water
conservation efforts; and
WHEREAS, if this rate structure is continued, future water rates will not reflect actual
costs of service, thereby unfairly subsidizing some residents and penalizing others;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Common Council of the
City of San Bernardino, California as follows:
1. The City of San Bernardino urges the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water
District to repeal the recent tax increase and to redesign the debt payment through a means that
is fair to all customers.
2. The City also encoura~es the District to develop water conversation policies that
would result in long-term reductions In cost to the taxpayers.
DHC/js [SBVMWD.Res] 1
2005-379
RESOLUTION OF TIlE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF TIlE CITY OF
SAN BERNARDINO URGING TIlE SAN BERNARDINO V ALLEY MUNICIPAL WATER
DISTRICT TO REPEAL TIlE RECENT TAX INCREASE AND TO REDESIGN THE DEBT
PAYMENT THROUGH A MEANS THAT IS FAIR TO ALL CUSTOMERS.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Mayor and
Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at a joint regular
meeting thereof, held on the 7th day of November, 2005, by the following vote, to wit:
NAYS
ABSTAIN ABSENT
November , 2005.
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