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Home My WebLink AboutAGENDA REPORT 2013 1204 CCSA REG ITEM 10B ITEM 10.B. CITY OF MOORPARK,CALIFORNIA City Council Meeting MOORPARK CITY COUNCI ' 3 AGENDA REPORT 41Cht�N- Via 3 TO: Honorable City Council FROM: Steven Kueny, City Manager d � Y er 9 DATE: November 25, 2013 (CC Meeting of 12/04/13) SUBJECT: Consider Resolution in Support of California State Board of Equalization and Franchise Tax Board 2014 Free Income Tax Preparation and Family Services Initiative BACKGROUND and DISCUSSION Jerome E. Horton, 4th District Board Member and current Chair of the California State Board of Equalization (Board of Equalization) sent a letter to Mayor Parvin (attached) requesting that the City of Moorpark participate with the Board of Equalization and Franchise Tax Board (collectively State) in their efforts to support the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The attached letter explains the State's intent to help eligible residents receive the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The State requests that the City assist by promoting the program on its cable channel and website and by allowing their promotional material to be available at City Hall and the Moorpark Library. FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact is a minor amount of staff time to promote the program as described in this report. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution No. 2013- . Attachments: 1) Letter 2) Resolution No. 2013- . 23 ATTACHMENT 1 1100 CORPORATE CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 203 132�'��'�iet, 621 CAPITOL MALL, SUITE 975 MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754 9"°^"��='" e��B Leo;•. a ..4,I SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 TEL (323)980-1221 � -1A) qr0 TEL (916)445-4154 FAX (323)980-1236 i � f - fg FAX (916)323-28,69 WEBSITE: www.boe.ca.gov/members/horton .. <:-q;16:2-% E-MAIL: Jerome.Horton@boe.ca.gov • 0# 1 AkQ, cake JEROME E. HORTON s CHAIRMAN (�,/ q CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION r v 1 2 2013 CITY CLERKS DIVISION Orr OF UOORPARK November 8, 2013 Mayor Janice S. Parvin City of Moorpark 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, CA 93021 Dear Mayor Parvin: I would be honored if you would partner with the California State Board of Equalization, 4th District, and the Franchise Tax Board in presenting the 2014 Free Income Tax Preparation and Family Services initiative as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This initiative will help our mutual constituents build wealth, stimulate the local economies, and gain access to millions in state, local, and federal services. Last year we were able to capture $3.7 million in federal tax credits by helping thousands of Californians file their tax returns. In addition to tax preparation services, we will again provide qualifying participants the opportunity to apply for and receive a broad range of much needed family services. This year qualified taxpayers who earn less than $51,567 may be eligible to receive a maximum of$6,044 in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a refundable credit and unlike other avail:IN ' credits: th, FITC dir :t cash n avm...nt which is added to any refund due to qualifying individuals. For example. if 1,000 of your constituents qualified for the maximum allowable EITC, $6 million of additional residual income will flow into your district. • As an elected official in Southern California, it is alarming that $370 million in EITC remains unclaimed every year in Los Angeles County alone. Imagine the positive impact that spending-power would have on our local economy and how appreciative our constituents would be. 24 Printed on Recycled Paper Page 2 of 2 Mayor Parvin November 8, 2013 We expect over 3,000 of our mutual constituents to attend the events for the 2013 tax year and it would be an honor if you would partner with us in this effort. The partnership merely requests that you help spread-the-word among those you are able to reach, and influence and authorize the use of your name on event brochures and other promotional material. I also ask that you consider adopting a City Resolution supporting the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. This resolution will demonstrate the importance of this federal credit and the positive impact it has on the local economy and, ultimately, the State of California. Your resolution will also serve as a testament to your interest in building wealth in our communities. I have taken the liberty of enclosing a sample resolution for your consideration. I have also enclosed a list of our program events for your review. Mr. Rafael Zuniga, our 4th District VITA Coordinator, will follow-up by telephone to answer any questions you may have related to the proposed partnership. In the meantime, if you or any of your staff members would like to speak with him to address any program details, he may be reached at (323) 980-1221 or via email at Rafael.Zuni gaAb o e.c a.go v. I am confident that your participation will contribute greatly to a successful 2014 Free Income Tax Preparation and Family Services and I look forward to our partnership. Sincerely, JEROME E. HORTON, Chairman 4th District, Board Member Enclosure 25 Board of Equalization, 4th District 2014 Free Income Tax Preparation and Family Services Events Date Location Time Saturday, February 1, 2014 Fremont High School 10:00 am—3:00 pm 7676 South San Pedro Street Los Angeles, CA 90003 Saturday, February 8, 2014 California State University, Los Angeles 8:00 am— 1:30 pm Salazar Hall 5151 State University Drive Los Angeles, CA 90032 Saturday, February 15, 2014 Oxnard College 11:00 am—4:00 pm 4000 South Rose Avenue Oxnard, CA 93033 Saturday, February 22, 2014 California State University, Dominguez Hills 10:00 am—3:00 pm (Tentative) Welch Hall 1000 East Victoria Street Carson, CA 90747 Saturday, March 1, 2014 California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 10:00 am—3:00 pm College of Business Administration, Building 163 3801 West Temple Avenue Pomona, CA 91768 Friday, March 14, 2014 Rio Hondo College 10:00 am—3:00 pm Technology Building 3600 Workman Mill Road Whittier, CA 90601 Saturday, March 22, 2014 California State University, Long Beach 10:00 am—3:00 pm College of Business Administration(CBA) 1250 Bellflower Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90840 Saturday, March 29, 2014 South Bay Workforce Investment Board 10:00 am—3:00 pm 110 South La Brea Avenue, 3`d Floor Inglewood, CA 90301 Rev. 11/7/201: 26 Board of Equalization, 4th District 2014 Free Income Tax Preparation and Family Services Events District Office Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Schedule BOE Office Day of Services Dates Notes West Covina District Office Every Monday January 27—April 7 VITA Services will not be 1521 West Cameron Avenue, Suite 300 available on February 17th West Covina, CA 91790 and March 31st in observance 1-626-480-7200 of State holidays. Culver City District Office Every Tuesday January 28—April 8 5901 Green Valley Circle, Suite 200 Culver City, CA 90230 1-310-342-1000 Norwalk District Office Every Wednesday January 29—April 9 12440 East Imperial Highway, Suite 200 Norwalk, CA 90650 1-562-466-1694 /Ventura District Office Every Thursday January 30—April 10 4820 McGrath Street, Suite 260 Tentative Ventura, CA 93003-7778 1-805-677-2700 Van Nuys District Office Every Friday January 31 —April 11 15350 Sherman Way, Suite 250 Van Nuys, CA 91406 1-818-904-2300 *Services at the district offices are offered from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Closed from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm) Rev. 11/7/2012 27 Attachment 2 RESOLUTION NO. 2013- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND THE FRANCHISE TAX BOARD EFFORTS IN PRESENTING THE 2014 FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION AND FAMILY SERVICES INITIATIVE WHEREAS, insufficient income contributes to many of the social and human service needs in our state; and WHEREAS, the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides tax relief and income support to low-income working families; and WHEREAS, the EITC lifts millions of individuals out of poverty each year in the United States by supporting work and self-sufficiency while reducing the need for public assistance; and WHEREAS, each year, the EITC helps approximately 3.1 million individuals in California and brings more than $6.96 billion into California's economy; and WHEREAS, every year 800,000 families who qualify for EITC fail to apply for the credit representing a loss of $1.2 billion in increased income for local communities; and WHEREAS, increasing the use of EITC by the qualified citizens of the City of Moorpark would help stimulate our local economy and increase access to millions of dollars in income; and WHEREAS, every resident earning less than $51,567 a year may qualify for up to $6,044 in EITC which may be used to lower their taxes or increase their tax refund; and WHEREAS, for every 1,000 residents who qualify and apply for EITC, it represents a potential $6 million in economic stimulus for our community; and WHEREAS, increasing EITC utilization represents a highly cost-effective economic development strategy; and NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council wants to inform the citizens about the availability of the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs. 28 Resolution No. 2013- Page 2 SECTION 2. The City Council hereby directs the City Manager to place a message on the City's local cable channel and website and to have the State provided Volunteer Income Tax Assistance related posters and brochures displayed at Moorpark City Hall and Moorpark Library. SECTION 3. The City of Moorpark joins the California State Board of Equalization, Franchise Tax Board, Internal Revenue Service and Jerome E. Horton, Chairman to the California State Board of Equalization, in advocating the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program to qualified families and individuals. SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the book of original resolutions; and the City Clerk shall provide a copy of this Resolution to Jerome E. Horton, Chairman to the California State Board of Equalization. PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of December, 2013. Janice Parvin, Mayor ATTEST: Maureen Benson, City Clerk 29