Title
Community Development Agency, Administration and Finance Division, recommending the Board adopt Resolution 188-2013 setting a mailed ballot election on May 6, 2014 for a measure to consider an increase to an existing special tax for the purpose of providing road improvement and maintenance services in the Fernwood Cothrin Ranch Road Zone of Benefit No. 98114 within County Service Area No. 9.
FUNDING: County Service Area No. 9, Zone of Benefit Special Taxes.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost
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$1,500.00 |
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Budgeted
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$1,500.00 |
New Funding
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Savings
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Other
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Total Funding Available
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$1,500.00 |
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Change To Net County Cost
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$0.00 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
The estimated cost of the election is $1,500. All costs associated with the election will be funded from the Fernwood Cothrin Ranch Road Zone of Benefit special tax. There is no Net County Cost.
Background
The Board of Supervisors formed the Fernwood Cothrin Ranch Road Zone of Benefit No. 98114 on April 30, 1985 for the purpose of providing road improvement and maintenance services. Zone operations were initially funded through an annual benefit assessment upon each parcel of land within the zone boundaries. On July 21, 1998 a mailed ballot election was conducted and a measure passed approving a special tax in the amount of $150.00 per parcel. A second mailed ballot election was held June 17, 2003 to consider a special tax amount of $250.00 per parcel, however the measure failed to receive the required two-thirds votes in favor of the increased amount.
A total of 262 parcels within the zone are each currently subject to an annual special tax amount of $150.00, generating $41,200.00 in revenue to fund road improvement and maintenance services on 19.1 miles of roads within the zone. If the proposed measure is approved, the special tax amount will be increased to the amount of $365.00 per parcel. If approved, the special tax will result in annual revenue of $95,630.00, an increase of $54,430.00 over the current special tax amount.
Reason for Recommendation
The zone advisory committee recently notified Community Development Agency, Administration and Finance Division staff, (Agency) of their desire to increase the special tax amount. Minutes of the annual general meeting held March 26, 2013, and second general meeting held on September 24, 2013 were provided to support the committee's recommendation. If approved, the special tax will increase revenue in order to keep pace with increased labor and material costs. The zone advisory committee prefers a special tax to a benefit assessment because a benefit assessment cannot be achieved unless supported by an engineer's report, which on average costs approximately $7,000.
California state law requires approval by registered voters within the zone to establish or increase a special tax. The Registrar of Voters must conduct an election to allow the voters to consider the special tax increase. The Agency requests the Board of Supervisors set the measure shown on Exhibit A to the Resolution for mailed ballot election. Should the measure pass, the special tax amount will be increased from $150.00 to $365.00 per parcel annually. Should the measure fail to achieve the two-thirds majority approval, the special tax amount will remain at $150.00 per parcel.
Action(s) to be taken following Board approval
1. The Clerk of the Board will produce two (2) certified copies of the Resolution;
2. The Clerk of the Board will distribute one (1) certified copy of the Resolution to the Agency
3. The Clerk of the Board will distribute one (1) certified copy of the Resolution to the County Registrar of Voters.
4. The Registrar of Voters will conduct a mailed ballot election on May 6, 2014 to consider the establishment of a special tax for the purpose of providing road improvement and maintenance services within the Fernwood Cothrin Ranch Road Zone of Benefit No. 98114 within County Service Area No. 9.
Contact
Kim Kerr, Acting Director
Community Development Agency
Concurrences
County Counsel