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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2018 0321 CCSA REG ITEM 09A CITY OF MOORPARK,CALIFORNIA City Council Meeting of March 21, 2018 _ Item: 9.A. ACT ION Approved staff recommendation and directed staff to include explanatory tax exhibit for residents with future agenda item By M. Benson MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT TO: The Honorable City Council FROM: Mayor Parvin and Councilmember Mikos DATE: March 13, 2018 (CC Meeting of 3/21/2018) SUBJECT: Consider Concerns Expressed About Moorpark Highlands Community Facilities District 2004-1 Special Tax for Police Services and Landscape Maintenance District 22 Assessments and Provide Direction to Staff on Setting Amount of Special Tax for Fiscal Year 2018/19 BACKGROUND Over the past year a group of residents from the Moorpark Highlands development have provided written comments, testified during the annual public hearings for levying annual assessments for landscape maintenance districts, and made comments during the public comment portion of Council meetings regarding their concerns with Landscape District 22 (LMD — 22) and Moorpark Highlands Community Facilities District 2004-1 (CFD 2004-1) The group also met individually with the Mayor and Councilmembers, as well as with Captain Reilly and City Staff to discuss their concerns about CFD 2004-1 special tax for police services and various items about LMD — 22, including the concept of special benefit and general benefit The representatives requested to continue the discussion about LMD — 22 finances and CFD special taxes LMD — 22 is also referred to as Moorpark Highlands LLMD on the Ventura County Secured Tax Statement On October 18, 2017 a City Council Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Mayor Parvin and Councilmember Mikos were appointed to meet with the representatives and report back to the City Council DISCUSSION The Committee has met twice (February 1 and 27, 2018) with the Moorpark Highlands representatives to discuss their concerns The representatives requested elimination of the special tax for police services and suggested various alternatives to reduce the tax over a few years until it reaches zero The special tax rate amount is $586 14 in Fiscal Year 2017118 for each residential property Note that the 35 deed restricted affordable 1 Honorable City Council March 21, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 2 units in the Moorpark Highlands project do not pay this special tax. During the discussion about the special taxes for police services it was explained to the representatives that the City Council is restricted by law from committing on budgetary matters for more than one year including actions on setting the special tax rate amount. With that understanding, the Ad Hoc Committee is recommending the City Council endorse the following proposal to reduce the amount of the special tax. Fiscal Year Projected Tax Rate Proposed Tax Rate Annual General Fund Reduced Revenue CUMULATIVE General Fund Reduced Revenue 2018-19 $ 604.14 $ 450.00 $ 98,804 $ 98,804 2019-20 $ 622.26 $ 350.00 $ 174,519 $ 273,323 2020-21 $ 640.93 $ 250.00 $ 250,586 $ 523,909 2021-22 $ 660.16 $ 0.00 $ 423,163 $ 947,072 Thereafter 3% annual increase $ 0.00 If the City Council concurs with this proposal, it would take action to set the special tax rate at $450.00 for Fiscal Year 2018/19. In spring 2019 the City Council would be presented with the proposal to set the special tax rate at $350.00 and in spring 2020 to set the special tax rate at $250.00. If the proposal is fully implemented, the special tax rate would be set at $0 in spring 2021 and future City Councils could act to keep the special tax at that rate for each year thereafter. On the matter of the LMD concerns, the representatives felt there was good progress on the landscaping matters but wanted to continue to discuss some matters related to budgeting practices. It was agreed the representatives would prepare a list of concerns and staff would meet with them to discuss these concerns prior to the LMD public hearing in May 2018. The representatives understand there are no commitments on the LMD matters of concern and they can present any remaining concerns at the May 2018 hearing. FISCAL IMPACTS There will be no impact on the LMD matters, since the costs are funded by assessments and not the City’s General Fund. If the CFD 2004-1 special tax amount for police services is set consistent with the proposal, there would be a 3-year cumulative reduction of about $523,909. The reduction amount for Fiscal Year 2021/22 2 Honorable City Council March 21, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 2 would be $423,163 and would increase by 3% annually thereafter. If the City retains the same level of police services, the reduction amount would need to be offset from an increase to the General Fund operating revenue, or by reducing other General Fund expenditures or from the General Fund reserve. The cumulative General Fund reduction in revenue is $947,072 over the next four years. STAFF RECOMMENDATION The Ad Hoc Committee recommends approving the proposal for a reduction of the CFD special tax amount and implementing the 2018/19 Fiscal Year special services tax rate reduction to $450.00 per residential lot. 3