11-02-1970 - Laserfiche WebLink

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UTILITY USER TAX Bryn Evans, President of the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber's position had not changed in supporting the utility user tax for a temporary period if a long term method of financing capital 'improvements were immediately developed; however, it was their feeling that this matter had divided the Council, the citizens and the community; that in order to have a successful bond issue, unity was essential and that the only way to achieve unity would be for the Council to repeal Ordinance NS-1042 providing for the utility user tax. Mr. Evans further stated that the Chamber of Commerce had determined that repeal of the ordinance would be in the best interests of Santa Anain promoting harmony and support for a bond issue and that the Chamber had authorized him to appear at this meeting to request that the City Council repeal the ordinance, and to assure the Council of Chamber support of a bond issue. A motion was made by Councilman Yamamoto, seconded by Councilman Patterson, to repeal Ordinance NS-t042. Councilman Villa stated for the record that he felt it was a sad state of affairs when the Council took one position and then changed over to another, that Council was losing faith, not only with the people but with themselves; that if arguments were submitted that the City did not need the money now, that would be fine. He stated he was convinced a bond issue would not pass and that if the arguments were weighed one against another for a bond issue or a 5% utility user tax, he felt the utility tax would be more advantageous. Councilman Villa quoted from a League of California Cities pamphlet that close to 40 charter cities presently are imposing a tax on consumption of utility services. He stated that many commitments had been made based on the fact that the utility user tax ordinance was adopted; that now Council would have to go back and cut projects out - first, parks, then the helicopter service which was requested by the Police Chief, knowing full well the concept of this program in the fast growing crime rate in this county. Councilman Villa stated that it is a proven fact that the helicopter program does displace the criminal element to areas where aerial observation is not used, and that to provide the same protection for our citizens as our neighboring cities have, we must provide the same service and equipment. He explained that when the Police budget was prepared, the Police Chief was informed that if his staff received the helicopter program, no additional personnel could be added to his staff, and that if the helicopter program had not been requested, there would have been a request for 18 or 19 additional personnel in the Police Department in its place. Councilman Villa further stated that if the utility tax ordinance is repealed and funds are not available for the helicopter program, it will put us behind our neighboring cities and the Police Chief will receive neither the helicopter program nor the additional needed manpower. He explained that this was only one ftem in the unfunded list of capital improvements. He asked if Council had considered the consequences and requested that Council reconsider the proposed repeal. Mr. Villa stated that Council is losing faith with the people and is going to lose faith with its beliefs, too. CITY COUNCIL -318 - November 2. 1970