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Home My WebLink About1997-05-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - PROPOSITION E (2)NEW BUSINESS DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: BACKGROUND AGENDA REPORT City Mana, Item to be George Caravalho May 13, 1997 PROPOSITION E ON THE JUNE 3,1997 BALLOT City Manager's Office The Los Angeles County Fire Department collects about $52 million per year through its existing benefit assessment, which was imposed in 1991. The average 1996-97 assessment for a Santa Clarita single family residence is $50.96 per year. As a result of Proposition 218 on the November, 1996 ballot, the Fire Department will lose this benefit assessment district. Efforts to overrule Proposition 218 were not successful in a recent court action. As a result, the Los Angeles County Fire Department is supporting Proposition E on the June 3, 1997 ballot. Proposition E would impose a special tax, designed to replace the loss of the benefit assessment district. The proposed Special Tax varies based on the type of development. It would average about $48 per year for a single family residence. Under the provision of Proposition 218, Proposition E, the Special Tax will require a 2/3 majority of the voters who live in cities serviced by the Los Angeles County Fire District. In the same manner as the ad valorem property tax, the Special Tax would be adjusted annually for inflation, not to exceed 2% per year. Because any increase in the Special Tax other than that for inflation, would require voter approval, the amount of the Special Tax will not increase at the rate the benefit assessment amount did. There would be no low income exemptions, Properties exempt from ad valorem taxes, such as churches, will be exempt from the Special Tax. Churches currently pay the benefit assessment district. Chief Freeman reports that if the Special Tax does not receive a 2/3 majority approval; the loss of $52 million in revenues would likely mean: * The closure of more than 20 of the 138 neighborhood fire stations; about one in five fire stations would close in our area. * Loss of 34 of the 150 engine companies. * The reduction in daily fire company staffing of 157 of 744 fire fighters * An impact on paramedic and specialized rescue responses Adopted: �5-1 541 Agenda item: a * Elimination/reduction of command staff and non -emergency services such as week abatement, fire prevention and public education * Layoffs of sworn and non -sworn fire department employees RECOMMENDED ACTION Review Proposition E and adopt Resolution 97-57, supporting Proposition E. ATTACHMENTS Proposition "E° Fact Sheet Attachment A -- Basic Levy Resolution GACAAGN-PRPE.DOC RESOLUTION NO. 97-57 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING PROPOSITION E (LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT SPECIAL TAX) ON THE JUNE 3, 1997 SPECIAL ELECTION BALLOT WHEREAS, provisions of Proposition 218, the Right to Vote on Taxes Act, have eliminated the $51.7 million annually generated by the Fire Protection District of the Los Angeles County's Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment; and WHEREAS, if replacement funding such as a proposed special tax is not found due to Proposition 218, severe reductions in emergency fire and paramedic services will be required resulting in a greater risk to public safety and a higher potential for the loss of lives and property; and WHEREAS, balancing the Fire District's budget to meet a $51.7 million loss of revenue would most likely include: • Closure of the more than 20 neighborhood fire stations • Loss of 34 engine companies • Reduction in daily fire company staffing by 157 firefighters • Impact to paramedic and specialized rescue responses • Elimination of non -emergency services • Layoffs on firefighters and other employees; and WHEREAS, fewer stations, less firefighters and paramedics on duty each day and the longer response times that would result in this city, 47 other county contract cities, and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, all combine to pose a grave threat to life and property and will result in higher fire insurance rates as well; and WHEREAS, the Fire District is facing one of the earliest and most dangerous fire seasons on record; WHEREAS, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has called for a special election on June 3, 1997; and WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has placed on the ballot a special tax, Proposition E, which calls for replacement funding for fire and paramedic emergency services; and NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, does hereby resolve to support Proposition E, and encourage all of the voters of our city to vote "Yes" on Proposition E on June 3, 1997. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of 19 MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) § CITY OF SANTA CLAR TA ) I, Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarity at a regular meeting thereof, held on the day of 19_ by the following vote of Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CITY CLERK PRC0UNCXVes97-54.rg PROPOSITION "E" FACT SHEET As a result of the passage of Proposition 218 on the November, 1996 ballot, the Los Angeles Fire Department stands to lose $51.7 million annually, beginning July 1, 1997. This represents 17 percent of its annual fire station operational costs. This happened because the $51.7 million was in the form of benefit assessment districts, which Proposition 218 invalidated. A. two-thirds vote of the people is required to pass Proposition E, Replacement Funding for Fire and Paramedic Emergency Services, on June 3, 1997, which will result in a special tax that makes up for the loss of $51.7 million Local leaders are concerned about the this loss of funding as a result of the passage of Proposition 218 because it could result in: *The closure of one in every five fire stations in our community *The reduction of on -duty daily fire fighters by one in five *Potential delays with fewer resources protecting various areas *Greater risk for loss of lives and property *Reduced ability to respond to major disasters such as major wildland fires, earthquakes, floods, terrorist attacks and civil disturbances *Potential reduced response to daily emergences such as house fires, paramedic rescues, injuries, traffic accidents and drownings Money generated by Proposition E will be equal to the current benefit assessment amounts. For homeowners, this special tax would be $48 per year, which is a slight reduction from the benefit assessment amount of $50.96. Proposition E would be levied in all unincorporated areas and in the same cities that the benefit assessment is currently levied. Proposition E would be capped at C.P.I. or 2 percent per year, whichever is less, Apv-15-97 09:11 LA COUNTY FD DIV 6 213 726 7241 P.06 Attachment A Basic Lew Single -Family Home $48.00 peryear Mobile Home in Mobile Home Park $24.00 per year Multi-Family Residential • . ; $60.63 base amount, plus $0.0063 per ..square foot of improvement over 1,555 square feet Non-Residential $58.10. base amount, plus $0.0392. per ::•_square foot of improvement over 1,555 ..square feet High Rise (over four stories) $70.74.base amount, plus $0.0477 per square foot of improvement over 1,555 square feet Special Use (Refineries, Major Chemical ...$88.4 2 base amount, plus $0.0596 per Handlers) square foot of improvement over 1,555 square feet Vacant land less than 2 acres $12.00: Vacant land 2-to less than 10 acres 515.84: Vacant land 10 to 50 acres $31.68. Vacant land more than 50 acres $48.00