Resolution 123830
CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 12383
SUPPORTING THE ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS
CAMPAIGN IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED CUTS
IN LOCAL FUNDS BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE
WHEREAS, the State of California failed to recognize the
depth of the recession; and
WHEREAS, the State of California for the past several
years has overestimated income and sales tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, the State of California continued to pass
legislation assigning programs to local governments without regard
to costs in a faltering economy; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is trying to correct a
serious budget deficit through Draconian cuts in funds allocated to
local governments; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties provide essential services,
ui including police and fire protection to citizens of the State of
California; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties throughout California are
suffering severe financial distress, and several are on the brink
of bankruptcy; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are required to provide
State-mandated services without adequate funding; and
WHEREAS, cities have been contributing more than $240
million a year in local dollars to the State General Fund through
cigarette taxes, trial court funding, and other fees levied in the
last two years; and
WHEREAS, property taxes and vehicle license fees
represent a substantial component of the funding base of cities,
allowing them to continue providing essential services, including
police and fire protection; and
WHEREAS, property tax monies were dedicated to local
governments after the passage of Proposition 13 as the permanent,
stable and long-term solution to local finance; and
WHEREAS, the State of California has bridged its
budgetary deficits in previous years by raiding local funds, such
as liquor license fees, highway carriers uniform business taxes,
business inventory property tax relief, cigarette taxes, drinking
water regulation fees, booking fees, and property tax
administration charges and fines and forfeitures; and
WHEREAS, raids by the State Legislature on local funds
this summer would gut support for police and fire protection with
no immediate source of fiscal relief, thereby compromising public
safety; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Board of the Association of Bay
Area Governments on June 18, 1992 expressed opposition to such
practices by the Governor and Legislature; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for a long -term budgetary and
constitutional reform at the State level; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the Association of Bay
Area Governments adopted a resolution endorsing unity for fiscal
reform on March 15, 1991; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Board, in cooperation with school
districts, subsequently adopted on June 13, 1991, a declaration of
fiscal interdependency and statement of guiding principles for
reform at the State and local level;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of
the City of Alameda hereby supports the Association of Bay Area
Governments' call upon the Governor and State Legislature to
refrain from raiding local funds in an effort to bridge the
budgetary gap in the short term and calls upon legislators to
develop responsible, long -term fiscal and constitutional reforms;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State, in response to its
own budget crisis, should not use local funds to support State
activities but should cut State spending, close tax loopholes and
raise its own revenues and continue the current 1/2 cent sales tax;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor of the State.
Legislature should support a simple majority on bond issues and
taxes where the law requires such a vote, make specific revisions
to the tax system to better meet the needs of the California
economy in the future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all unfunded State mandates
should be suspended.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby
directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to the
Governor, State Assemblywoman Barbara Lee, Alameda County Board of
Supervisors, Association of Bay Area Governments and League of
California Cities.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution
was duly and regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the
City of Alameda in regular meeting assembled on the 20th day of
April , 1993, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Appezzato, Arnerich, Lucas, Roth
and President Withrow - 5.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
official seal of said City this 21st day of April , 1993.
o
Diane BY Felsch, City Clerk
City of Alameda