HomeMy WebLinkAbout03- City Attorney CITY )F SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
From: James F. Penman, City Attorney Subject: Ord...Adding Chapter 3.65 to the San
Bernardino Municipal Code Relating to a
Dept: City Attorney Special Tax for Police and Fire Protection
And Providing That it Shall Not Take
Date: November 13> 1996 ORIGINAL pP Y Effect Until Approved b 2/3 of the
Voters.
Synopsis of Previous Council action:
Assessment District 4994
Recommended motion:
Waive fizrther reading and lay over for final adoption.
Signature
Contact person: Dennis A. Barlow Phone: 5355
Supporting data attached: Ward: _
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount:
Source: (Acct. No.) _
(Acct. Description)
Finance:
Council Notes: f l�� / -� �`�A 1�'(d
75-0262 Agenda Item No. .
STAFF REPORT
Council Meeting Date: December 2, 1996
TO: Mayor and Common Council
FROM: Dennis A. Barlow, Sr. Assistant City Attorney
DATE: November 27, 1996
AGENDA ITEM: An Ordinance . . . adding Chapter 3.65 to the San Bernardino
Municipal Code relating to a special tax for police and fire protection and
providing that it shall not take effect until approved by 2/3 of the voters
Crime is still a serious problem in our community and ability to respond through
normal revenue channels has not been adequate. When coupled with the expiration of the
City-wide Street Sweeping and Street Lighting Assessment District #994 in July of next year,
and the resultant loss of the general fund monies made available by this district, this problem
becomes even more immediate.
Both Proposition 13 and the recent Proposition 218 allow local governments to present
a proposition for a special tax to the voters. Such special tax must be approved by a 2/3 vote.
The City Clerk has determined that the date of March 18, 1997 would meet the necessary time
lines for a special election on such a matter.
The attached ordinance would establish a special tax for police and fire protection at a
gradually increasing rate for the first 5 years, after which it would remain constant. For
instance the proposed annual tax on a single family residence would begin at $101.75 in fiscal
year 1997-98 ($8.48 per month), and increase to $120.50 in fiscal year 1998-99 ($10.04 per
month), and $153.11 in fiscal year 1999-00 ($12.76 per month), $180.55 in fiscal year 2000-
01 ($15.05 per month), and $183.75 in fiscal year 2001-02 and thereafter ($15.31 per month).
The money would be earmarked for use for front-line police officers and related
equipment and fire fighters and related equipment, as well as grant matches. To assure the
voters that the funds would be used for the purpose intended, the ordinance would make it a
misdemeanor for any City officer or employee, either elected or appointed, to divert such
funds to any other use. In addition to a criminal penalty, such a conviction would result in
removal from office or employment of the offending officer or employee, and the
disqualification for office or employment in the City for 8 years.
The ordinance provides that income from the special tax may not be used to supplant
general fund monies which have historically been budgeted for police and fire. To accomplish
this, the ordinance also establishes a minimum base budget for the police and fire departments
which amount would be subject to annual adjustments based on the CPI and the necessities of
DAB/js[SpecTax.Rpt] 1
Charter Section 186.
The ordinance also allows the City Attorney, and in some cases, private citizens, on
behalf of the City, to bring an action against a City officer or employee, in their personal
capacity, to recover for the police and fire funds, monies that have been diverted contrary to
the terms of the ordinance.
The ordinance is only effective when approved by 2/3 of the voters of the City voting on
the measure.
Revision
At the meeting of the Mayor and Common Council held on Monday, November
18, a similar ordinance was introduced and the first reading waived. The only change we
have made to this ordinance is to specifically provide on page 3 that the same exemptions
and tax assistance procedures as apply to state imposed ad valorem property taxes will
apply to this special tax. These include the exemptions provided by the State Constitution
for libraries, museums, churches, nonprofit cemeteries and charitable uses, and provides
that some homeowners and renters may receive tax assistance due to age, income and/or
disability. The new language is on lines 13 to 19 of page 4 and we have noted that change
in the highlighted versions that will be distributed at the meeting. This change requires
that a new first reading be conducted.
DAB/js[SpecTax.Rptl 2
TABLE I
Properties FY 1997-98 FY 1998-99 FY 1999-00 FY 2000-01 FY 2001-02 and
thereafter
Vacant $50.88 per parcel $60.25 per parcel $76.56 per parcel $90.28 per parcel $91.88 per parcel
Unimproved $50.88 per parcel $60.25 per parcel $76.56 per parcel $90.28 per parcel $91.88 per parcel
College
Unimproved $50.88 per parcel $60.25 per parcel $76.56 per parcel $90.28 per parcel $91.88 per parcel
Cemetery
Warehouse $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Light Industrial $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Heavy $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Industrial
Food $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Processing
Metals $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Water $50.88 per parcel $60.25 per parcel $76.56 per parcel $90.28 per parcel $91.88 per parcel
Distribution
Systems
Parking Lots $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Downtown $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Spot Retail $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Retail Strip $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Amusement $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
and Recreation
Bank, Savings $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
and Loan, etc.
Motels and $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Hotels
General Office $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Office Condo $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Industrial $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Condo
Medical/Dental $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Building
1
Service Station $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Auto Garage $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Shopping $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Center
Mobile Home $31.54 per unit $37.36 per unit $47.46 per unit $55.97 per unit $56.96 per unit
Park
Fraternal $101.75 per parcel $120.50 per parcel $153.11 per parcel $180.55 per unit $183.75 per parcel
Society
Educational $50.88 per acre $60.25 per acre $76.56 per acre $90.28 per acre $91.88 per acre
Cemetery $50.88 per acre $60.25 per acre $76.56 per acre $90.28 per acre $91.88 per acre
Mortuary $407.00 per acre $482.00 per acre $612.44 per acre $722.20 per acre $735 per acre
Veterans $101.75 per parcel $120.50 per parcel $153.11 per parcel $180.55 per parcel $183.75 per parcel
Organization
Misc $101.75 per parcel $120.50 per parcel $153.11 per parcel $180.55 per parcel $183.75 per parcel
Residential
Structure
Single Family $101.75 per parcel $120.50 per parcel $153.11 per parcel $180.55 per parcel $183.75 per parcel
Residential
(Suitable for
Permanent Use)
Mobile Home $64.10 per parcel $75.92 per parcel $96.46 per parcel $113.75 per parcel $115.76 per parcel
Subdivision
(Improved)
Mobile Home $64.10 per unit $75.92 per unit $96.46 per unit $113.75 per unit $115.76 per parcel
Inside Park
(Lease)
Mobile Home $64.10 per unit $75.92 per unit $96.46 per unit $113.75 per unit $115.76 per parcel
Outside Park
(Fee)
Mobile Home $64.10 per unit $75.92 per unit $96.46 per unit $113.75 per unit $115.76 per parcel
Accessories
(Leased)
Courts $64.10 per unit $75.92 per unit $96.46 per unit $113.75 per unit $115.76 per parcel
(Residential)
Two Single $183.15 per parcel $216.90 per parcel $275.60 per parcel $324.99 per parcel $330.75 per parcel
Family
Residential
Only
ii
Three Single $274.73 per parcel $325.35 per parcel $413.40 per parcel $487.49 per parcel $496.13 per parcel
Family
Residential
Only
Four Single $366.30 per parcel $433.80 per parcel $551.20 per parcel $649.98 per parcel $661.50 per parcel
Family
Residential
Only
Five Single $457.88 per parcel $542.25 per parcel $689.00 per parcel $812.48 per parcel $826.88 per parcel
Family
Residential
Only
Six Single $547.45 per parcel $650.70 per parcel $826.79 per parcel $974.97 per parcel $992.25 per parcel
Family
Residential
Only
Seven Single $641.03 per parcel $759.15 per parcel $964.59 per parcel $1,137.47 per $1,157.63 per
Family parcel p parcel
Residential
Only
Eight Single $732.60 per parcel $867.60 per parcel $1,102.39 per $1,299.96 per $1,323 per parcel
Family parcel parcel
Residential
Only
Condominium $91.58 per parcel $108.45 per parcel $137.80 per parcel $162.50 per parcel $165.38 per parcel
Co-op
Government $74.28 per unit $87.97 per unit $111.77 per unit $131.80 per unit $134.14 per unit
Assisted
Apartment
Program
Condos Used $74.28 per unit $87.97 per unit $111.77 per unit $131.80 per unit $134.14 per unit
for Apartments
Townhouse- $74.28 per unit $87.97 per unit $111.77 per unit $131.80 per unit $134.14 per unit
type
Apartments
Garden-type $74.28 per unit $87.97 per unit $111.77 per unit $131.80 per unit $134.14 per unit
Apartments
Duplex $183.15 per parcel $216.90 per parcel $275.60 per parcel $324.99 per parcel $330.75 per parcel
Triplex, or $274.73 per parcel $325.35 per parcel $413.40 per parcel $487.49 per parcel $496.13 per parcel
Duplex and
Single
111
Quad (True or $366.30 per parcel $433.80 per parcel $551.20 per parcel $649.98 per parcel $661.50 per parcel
Combination)
5 to 14 Units $74.28 per unit $87.97 per unit $111.77 per unit $131.80 per unit $134.14 per unit
and
Combination
Lowrise 1-2 $74.28 per unit $87.97 per unit $111.77 per unit $131.80 per unit $134.14 per unit
Story 15-40
Units
Lowrise 1-2 $74.28 per unit $87.97 per unit $111.77 per unit $131.80 per unit $134.14 per unit
Story 41-80
Units
Lowrise 1-2 $74.28 per unit $87.97 per unit $111.77 per unit $131.80 per unit $134.14 per unit
Story 81 and
Over
Highrise 3+ $74.28 per unit $87.97 per unit $111.77 per unit $131.80 per unit $134.14 per unit
Story 15+
Units
Recreation $91.58 per parcel $108.45 per parcel $137.80 per parcel $162.50 per parcel $165.38 per parcel
Cabin
Water Well $50.88 per parcel $60.25 per parcel $76.56 per parcel $90.28 per parcel $91.88 per parcel
Citrus $50.88 per parcel $60.25 per parcel $76.56 per parcel $90.28 per parcel $91.88 per parcel
Dairy $50.88 per parcel $60.25 per parcel $76.56 per parcel $90.28 per parcel $91.88 per parcel
Undefined $50.88 per parcel $60.25 per parcel $76.56 per parcel $90.28 per parcel $91.88 per parcel
iv
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WESTSIDE ACTION GROUP r.
498 West Court Street, Suite 219
San Bernardino, CA 92401
December 10, 1996
Dear Mayor and Common Council:
The Westside Action Group is a nonprofit community based organization which has been actively serving as a
forum for the greater San Bernardino Community since 1972. The membership of WAG is composed of business
owners, civic officials,community activists,and public employees,with many members having specific ties to the
Westside of San Bernardino. Many members are also residents and/or property owners in the City of San Bernar-
dino.
The proposed police/fire tax directly affects many of our members.
We have several recommendations regarding the proposed taxes:
1. The taxation rate should be based on the valuation of property. (ie... a house valued at$35,000 should
not be taxed the same amount as a house valued at$75,000)
2. WAG is resistant to any taxation of public housing tenants.
3, The police department does not reflect the diversity of the communities in which it is empowered to
serve and protect, and the issues of recruitment and hiring/promoting non-whites police officers require
serious planning and commitment.
4. The fire department needs to better utilize existing resources. The decreased use of fire engines for
paramedic calls will decrease wear and tear on this fire equipment, keeping it ready for fire emergencies.
5. The fire department also does not reflect the diversity of the communities in which it serves.
Therefore,any proposed ordinance to increase the taxes to the citizens and residents and property owners,which
does not conform to the above listed concerns will surely find active resistance from our membership and constitu-
ents. The Westside Action Group does not endorse the proposed police/fire tax ordinance.
Sincerely,
Wallace J. Allen
President Entered into Record at f
CouncillCMYDOVCms Mtg:
by
re Agenda Item �?
City ClerkICDC Secy
City of San Bernardino