Resolution 1993-20
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RESOLUTION NO, 93 - 20
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GILROY IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED CUTS IN
LOCAL FUNDS BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the State of California failed to recognize the depth of the
recession; and
WHEREAS, the State of California for the past several years has
overestimated income and sales tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, the State of California continued to pass legislation assigning
programs to local governments without regard to costs in a faltering economy; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is trying to correct a serious budget
deficit through Draconian cuts in funds allocated to local governments; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties provide essential services, including police
and fire protection, to citizens of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties throughout California are suffering severe
financial distress, and several are on the brink of bankruptcy; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are required to provide
state-mandated services without adequate funding; and
WHEREAS, cities have been contributing more than $240 million a year in
local dollars to the State General Fund through cigarette taxes, trial court
funding, and other fees levied in the last two years; and
WHEREAS, property taxes and vehicle license fees represent a substantial
component of the funding base of cities, allowing them to continue providing
essential services, including police and fire protection; and
WHEREAS, property tax monies were dedicated to local governments after the
passage of Proposition 13 as the permanent, stable and long-term solution to local
finance; and
WHEREAS, the State of California has bridged its budgetary deficits in
previous years by raiding local funds, such as liquor license fees, highway
carriers uniform business taxes, business inventory property tax relief, cigarette
taxes, drinking water regulation fees, booking fees, and property tax
administration charges and fines and forfeitures; and
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RESOLUTION NO. 93 - 20
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WHEREAS, raids by the State Legislature on local funds this summer would
gut support for police and fire protection with no immediate source of fiscal
relief, thereby compromising public safety; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Board of the Association of Bay Area Governments on
June lB, 1992 expressed opposition to such practices by the Governor and the
Legislature; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for a long-term budgetary and constitutional
reform at the State level; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the Association of Bay Area Governments
adopted a resolution endorsing unity for fiscal reform on March 15, 1991; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Board, in cooperation with school districts,
subsequently adopted on June l3, 1991 a declaration of fiscal interdependency and
statement of guiding principles for reform at the State and local level.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Gilroy
calls upon the Governor and State Legislature to refrain from raiding local funds
in an effort to bridge the budgetary gap in the short term and calls upon
legislators to develop responsible, long-term fiscal and constitutional reforms;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State, in response to its own budget
crisis, should not use local funds to support State activities but should cut State
spending, close tax loopholes and raise its own revenues and continue the current
1/2 cent sales tax; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and the State Legislature support
a simple majority on bond issues and taxes where the law requires such a vote, make
specific revisions to the tax system to better meet the needs of the California
economy in the future; and
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RESOLUTION NO. 93 - 20
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all unfunded State mandates should be
suspended.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of April, 1993, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GILROY, HALE, KLOECKER, NELSON, VALDEZ and
ROWLISON.
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT:COUNCILMEMBER: GAGE.
APPROVED:
-xL/~~ K~~~
Mayor Protempore
ATTEST:
~b
, City Clerk
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RESOLUTION NO. 93 - 20
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I, SUSANNE E. STEINMETZ, City Clerk of the City of Gilroy, do
hereby certify that the attached Resolution No. 93-20
is an original
resolution, duly adopted by the Council of the City of Gilroy at a regular
meeting of said Council held on the 19th
day of
April
19 93
, at which meeting a quorum was present.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Official Seal of the City of Gilroy this 20th day of
~,.<, 0' e4 .
the City of
April
,l993.
(Seal)