AgdaPkt 2004-05-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8�-I3 MAYREVISE from page 1 • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • .•• • • • • •••• • • • •• • • • • • ••• • • • Revenues Improve. On the revenue side, the filled collector positions, which is certainly good news � January sales tax revenues projedions for fourth for cities. quarter 2003 and first quarter 2004 were below estimates. The anticipated sales tax groviMi for As the legislative h��rings begin over tlie next calendar year 2004 is estimated to be 4.1 percent se�'eral weeks, there may be changes to the propos- and in 2005 5.2 percent Local sales tax revenues als 2> outlined. The hearin,;s will be dosely moni- vary broadly Uom the statewide estimate. The Board tored and reported in upcoming issues of Priority of Equalization uses the Depar4nerd of Finance as a Focus. benchmark for estimating sales tax quarteriy advance payments. This deGine in sales tax revenues was more than offset at the state level with projected BUDGET from page 3 . . . . . . . . . . . • . • . growth in personal income tax receipts in both FY 2003-04 and 2004-05. LOCAL initiative for the November 2004 ballot, and on the ongoing success of the LOCAL coalition. Westly Trensportation, Libreries, COPS. In addition to described local govemments as'bvhere the rubber the ERAF contributions by cities and local govem- meets the road", providing the services that citizens ment and the Vansportation funding changes noted have come to value and expect from their tax dollars. on page 6, some other changes to state funding for local programs were inGuded in the May Revise. The 'fhe state must sWp using locals as their piggy Public Library FoundaGon, which provides funding for banks," he said, pledging his support for the prote� local libraries, suffered a ten percent reduction of Gon of local services. $1,406,000. The May Revise also suggested funds currently set aside for the Citizens Option for Public "Shoh-term Pain, Long-Term Gain" Safety (COPS) be used to pay mandate claims for Police Officers Procedural Bill of Rights. Any remain- Speaking after the Legislative Action Days ses ing funds after mandate claims are paid would be sion, League First vice Presiderrt Pat Eklund, Mayor used for the COPS program. This recommendation of the City of Novato said, "The cuts in this package — appears to be open fw negotiation and may be will be painful for cRies and other local agenaes. But removed. the long tertn stability and predictability in our rev- enues will make a huge difference to our communi- Booking Fees. The May Revise is silent on ties." booking fees, which is assumed to mean that Gover- nor Schwarzenegger continues to support•his January °It means short-tertn pain for long-term gain " said proposal that would remove the booking fee subven- League Second Vice President Alex Padilla, Counal tion and the authority of counties to charge booking p�sident in the City of Los Mgeles. "But we appreci- fees. There are two bilis currently circulating on this ate the govemor's leadership and his commitrnent to issue. SB 1808 would allow for cities to readjust their subvention to actual costs paid in 2003-03 up to a help get this measure passed, first by the legislature maximum of $50 million and would then sunset tMe and then by the voters in November." subvention in 2007. The second bill AB 2467 would °Our next focus will be to work with our I islators require the State Auditor to study the charging and � collection of booking fees and the fiscal-impact and to pass this package," said League Executive Director concems of local law enforcement agencies related to Chris McKenzie. 'They play a crucial role in this the booking fee repeal proposed in the Govemor's P�ss. We need their help and support to restore January budget. Expect a legislative debate on fhis the fiscal siability and predictability to local budgets issue. that is so badly needed by their constituents. We look forvward to working with them to achieve this BOE Staffing. On a posRive note, the State important goal. In the final analysis, however, rf the Board of Equalization is authorized to restore posi- legislature dces not agree with the recommended tions previously cut and fill 55 colledor positions. The �nstitutional amendment, we will be united in our budget summary noted that these changes would continued support for passage of the LOCAL Initia- prevent revenue losses of $2.9 locally for the restaqQ , 4ve. We can't lose either way." positions and generate $6.6 million addiUonal with the Visit the eague's fficial eb ite--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 9