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<br /> 3) Public comment; <br /> Pete Hughes, 18 Admiralty Place, Redwood City, remarked on how all sorts <br /> of taxes have a tendency to creep upwards over the years, and said it was his <br /> understanding that when the Utilities Users Tax passed in 1982, it was for a <br /> limited period of time to build certain things in the City. He also asked if <br /> there was any money in the current budget for the Gunfire Locator System. <br /> Councilman Claire acknowledged former Mayor Britschgi in the audience <br /> and said that they had served together on the Council when the Utilities User <br /> Tax was approved. He said the Utilities User Tax was originally intended for <br /> Capital Improvement Projects in the City, and certain projects were identified <br /> at that time. He said those funds were to be used only for those Capital <br /> Improvement Projects and "therefore one could reasonably suspect that those <br /> funds could cease to exist when the bond indebtedness ceases to exist, and that <br /> would be the only sunsetting that I would suspect. But that was not the <br /> direction of the Council at that point in time. There was no finite date or <br /> sunset date for those bonds. If we were to give up those revenues and transfer <br /> those funds and paid for those bond issues out of our General Fund, we are <br /> looking at 50 police officers that we would lay off tomorrow morning, because <br /> that's how much it would cost us. I don't believe that would be a prudent <br /> approach to take, but I do believe that at some point in the future when that <br /> indebtedness is paid off, that that's a darn good time to take a look at the <br /> Utilities Users Tax and say, do we really need it." <br /> City Manager Everett said there is no time limit on the Utilities Users Tax at <br /> this point, and as to Mr. Hughes second question, there are dollars reserved in <br /> the Budget for the Gunfire Locator System. That issue will be brought to the <br /> Council for its consideration on June 30. <br /> In response to Councilman Leipzig's questions, Director Ponty said the <br /> Utilities Users Tax brings in about $4.2 million per year with $2.3 million <br /> used for debt service and $1.9 million for Capital Improvement Projects, such <br /> as the Fire Station, Community Center, and Fair Oaks Library expansion. <br /> Director Ponty advised that the Bonds would be paid off July I, 2011. <br /> No one else wished to speak. <br /> ADJOURNED REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 JUNE23,1997 <br /> MINUTES Page Uo. 416 PAGE 14 <br />