HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES CC 2008 2736 2008 0820RESOLUTION NO. 2008 -2736
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING STATE
BUDGET DECISIONS THAT WOULD "BORROW"
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, REDEVELOPMENT, AND
TRANSPORTATION FUNDS
WHEREAS, on July 1, 2008 the State Legislature missed its Constitutional
budget deadline; and
WHEREAS, both the Governor and the Legislative Budget Conference
Committee have recommended balanced budgets without resorting to "loans" or
seizures of local government property tax, redevelopment tax increment and
transportation sales tax funds; and
WHEREAS, in 1952 the voters of California approved Article XVI, Section 16 of
the California Constitution, providing for tax increment financing for community
revitalization —not balancing the state budget, and the voters never authorized the
legislature to take or "borrow" community redevelopment funds for state programs; and
WHEREAS, in 2004 by an 84% margin of approval the voters of California
approved Proposition 1A and sent a loud and unambiguous message to state leaders
that they should stop the destructive and irresponsible practice of taking local
government funds to finance the state budget and paper over the state deficit; and
WHEREAS, in 2006 by a 77% margin of approval the voters of California also
approved Proposition 1A, providing similar protections to transportation funding for state
and local transportation projects, including important street maintenance and public
transit programs; and
WHEREAS, both ballot measures allow the Governor to declare a "severe state
of fiscal hardship" and "borrow" these funds if they are repaid in three years with
interest, but the Governor believes it would be irresponsible to "borrow" such funds
because it would deepen the state's structural deficit and cripple local government and
transportation services; and
WHEREAS, refusal by the Legislature to carryout its constitutional obligation to
compromise on a balanced budget is not a "severe state of fiscal hardship" and would
not justify reductions in critical local services, community revitalization programs and
infrastructure maintenance at a time when cities are struggling to balance their own
budgets during this economic down turn; and
Resolution No. 2008 -2736
Page 2
WHEREAS, city investments in infrastructure, affordable housing and basic
public safety and other community services will create needed jobs and speed our
economic recovery; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature should balance the state budget with state revenues
and respect the overwhelming support of voters for not using local property taxes,
redevelopment tax increment and transportation sales tax funds to fund the day -to -day
operating cost of state programs; and
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the City of Moorpark hereby opposes any and all efforts by
state government to "borrow" or seize local tax funds, redevelopment tax increment and
transportation sales tax funds by the state government to finance state operations. Such
a move would be fiscally irresponsible for the state and hamper effective local services
and infrastructure investments.
SECTION 2. That the City Manager is hereby directed to send this resolution
and communicate this Council's strong and unswerving opposition on this matter to
State Legislators and the Governor along with an expression of our continued
appreciation for the Governor's and any supportive legislators' steadfast opposition to
further borrowing or seizure of these funds.
SECTION 3. The City Cler all certify to adoption of this resol tion and
shall cause a certified resolution t e filed in the book original reAsolutions.
PASSED AND ADO
this 20th day of August, P008.
r,payor
ATTEST:
Maureen Benson, Assistant City Clerk
Resolution No. 2008 -2736
Page 3
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF VENTURA ) ss.
CITY OF MOORPARK )
I, Maureen Benson, Assistant City Clerk of the City of Moorpark, California, do
hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing Resolution No. 2008 -2736 was
adopted by the City Council of the City of Moorpark at a special meeting held on the
20th day of August, 2008, and that the same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Mikos, Millhouse, Parvin, Van Dam, and Mayor
Hunter
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
WITNESS my hand and the official seal of said City this 8th day of September, 2008.
Maureen Benson, Assistant City Clerk
(seal)