CC MIN 1970 - Laserfiche WebLink

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281 Francis L. Ludwig, 3050 Goodwin Avenue, expressing belief tax rate should be held to present level, even if it requires personnel cuts to do so. (Copies submitted to Council) Mayor Bury indicated he had additional correspondence, addressed to him: Mr. Robert F. Sharp, 907 8th Avenue, approval of Council decision to reduce personnel by attrition, rather than layoff. Personal appearance was made by: Mr. Carl Kulitich, 70 Foss Drive, expressed opposition to funds for Civic Center, suggesting funding from private sources. Mayor Bury responded that funds to the Civic Center Project had been reduced to $122,000 and would be expended only as needed as approved by Council. Comments made concerning other methods of financing are consistent with those under consideration. Councilman Keckley noted that $25,000 of these funds are encumbered, so that approximately $98,000 is being proposed, and Councilman Petersen added that it would be Council responsibility whether the Center goes forward, and that in working with this budget, provision was made in order that funds would be available to go ahead in 1970-1971, if that should be Council decision, but final determination has not been made on City Hall. Not including money at all would, in effect, indicate City was not going forward. Mr. Gordon Vore, 64 Grand Street, felt City taxes will rise 17% if budget is approved. He also felt increase in property tax is unavoidable, caused by increasing costs and loss of income from non -taxed property. It was also his belief that property tax would be preferable to utility user tax, since he understood the latter could not be deducted from Federal and State taxes, whereas property taxes could. He suggested further that public hearing be held on the Downtown area. City Manager stated that for the record, it should be indicated utility user tax is deductible. Mr. George Archbold, 1772 Anamor Street, recited property taxes when he first came to Redwood City fifteen years earlier, with increases to the present. In the response by Council, it was pointed out that tax rate had been held down, while providing continued services such as police and fire protection, recreation and many others. Betty Galonska, 353 Heller Street, indicated she had attended budget sessions, and observed from the great amount of time and effort that had gone into this budget, she felt the welfare of the City was given first consideration. There was discussion as to the appropriate time for suggesting potential reductions, and City Attorney indicated that if there was information that should be considered by Council relative to changes, this should be heard during the public hearing, with actual deletions to be considered after public hearing is closed.