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01/14/2019 <br />ORDINANCE NO. 2454 <br />AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY IMPOSING A <br />TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE <br />CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TAX AND FEE ADMINISTRATION <br />WHEREAS, the City of Redwood City (the City) is known for safe neighborhoods, <br />well-maintained parks, quality libraries and afterschool programs that keep kids safe; and <br />WHEREAS, these essential city services are all critical to maintain a high quality <br />of life for local residents; and <br />WHEREAS, the City is dedicated to the safety and well-being of all residents, and, <br />knowing that every second counts when residents dial 911, strives to ensure that <br />firefighters, paramedics and police officers are ready to help in the case of an emergency; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, 60% of the City's annual operating budget is dedicated to fire, <br />paramedics, police and public safety services and 82% is dedicated to these safety <br />services, libraries and parks; and <br />WHEREAS, the City is facing a growing annual operating budget deficit, which is <br />projected to reach more than $12 million annually in five years and only continue to <br />increase each subsequent year; and <br />WHEREAS, the City has taken a proactive approach to this deficit and has already <br />reduced staff, increased employee contributions to pensions and maximized the fees <br />charged to developers who build in the City; and <br />WHEREAS, despite these steps, a deficit of this magnitude will require cuts to <br />public safety, library and park services, given that those services comprise 82% of the <br />annual budget; and <br />WHEREAS, these cuts could include reductions to fire, paramedic and police <br />services, which could lead to slower 911 emergency response times; and <br />WHEREAS, in order to protect public safety and preserve essential city services, <br />the City is placing a half -cent sales tax (measure) on the ballot at the statewide general <br />election on November 6, 2018; and <br />WHEREAS, if enacted, the measure would protect the safety of Redwood City <br />residents by maintaining rapid 911 emergency response times and supporting fire, <br />paramedic and police services; and <br />ATTY/ORD.477/CC ORDINANCE IMPOSING NEW TRANSACTIONS & USE TAX ORDINANCE NO. 2454 <br />REV: 01-03-19 DZ MUFF NO. 305 <br />Page 1 of 9 <br />