Resolution 15690CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 15690
SUPPORTING THE SCHOOLS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES FUNDING
ACT ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT
WHEREAS, since the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, cities and counties
have faced significant limitations in their main source of funding, the property tax; and
WHEREAS, while the intent of Proposition 13 was to help homeowners,
Proposition 13permits major commercial and industrial properties to avoid
reassessment to market value, a windfall to commercial property owners at the expense
of vital public services; and
WHEREAS, the property tax collected has shifted away from commercial
properties and toward residential properties throughout the state and in virtually every
county; and
WHEREAS, city and county finances have long been stressed while the state
has failed to enhance local finances; and
WHEREAS the property tax is one of the few discretionary sources of revenue
for cities and counties; and
WHEREAS, academic researchers at USC have estimated that reassessing
commercial properties will bring $11 .4 billion in additional property taxes to cities,
counties, special districts, and schools; and
WHEREAS, these same researchers have identified that nearly 80% of the
additional revenue will come from just 8% of properties, owned by corporations and
wealthy investors, many of them out-of-state; and
WHEREAS, USC research shows that a majority of commercial property owners
already pay close to market value, making the current system inequitable among
commercial and industrial property owners, benefitting property owners who .have held
their properties for a long period; and
WHEREAS, the current failure to close the commercial property inequity has led
to poor land use and inflated land values, particularly affecting the ability to provide
adequate high-density housing; and
WHEREAS, the Schools and Local Communities Funding Act will be on the ballot
in November 2020; and
WHEREAS, allocation of additional revenues to cities, counties and special
districts .will follow current property tax allocation; and
WHEREAS, the Act will provide billions in locally-controlled property tax funding
yearly for cities, counties, and special districts; and
WHEREAS, the Act contains provisions to benefit small businesses, and levels
the playing field among commercial and industrial property owners.
WHEREAS, the Act will improve land use, infrastructure, public safety, housing,
parks, libraries, health and human services and the environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Alameda
that the City of Alameda goes on record in support of the Schools and Local
Communities Funding Act and urges its residents to support its passage.
******
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 a special
meeting of the City Council assembled on the 15th day of September, 2020, by the
following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Knox White, Oddie, Vella and Mayor Ezzy
Ashcraft-4.
NOES: Councilmember Daysog -1.
ABSENT: None .
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal
of said City this 16th day of September, 2020.
Approved as 2::. o,.fef(m: ~/
·'·?
Yibin She,n(tity Attorney
City of )Xlameda
City of Alameda