07-16-1975 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA July 16, 1975 The meeting was called to order in Room 851, CitM Hall, 20 Civic Center Plaza, at 4:40 P.M. by Mayor John Garthe, proper notice and posting having been accomplished, with affidavits on file in the office of the Clerk of the Council. The following Councilmen were present: David F. Ortiz, Harry K. Yamamoto, Vernon S. Evans, and Mayor John Garthe. Councilman Gordon Bricken arrived at 4:42 P.M.. Councilmen David L. Brandt and James E. Ward were absent. The following staff members were also present: City Manager Bruce C. Spragg, City Attorney Keith L. Gow, Director of Finance Lawrence Shaffer, Director of Public Works Ronald Wolford, Police Chief Raymond C. Davis, and Clerk of the Council Florence I. Malone. PROPOSED BUDGET The City Manager FISCAL YEAR 1975-76 distributed a report of the current status of the Budget delibera- tions, outlining two Budget balancing options, in considera- tion of the Council's action on July 14, placing a S% Utility User Tax ordinance on first reading, and based on the assump- tion that the public safety program would be funded for two fiscal years with no increase in tax rates during the second fiscal year. Option One provided for a $% Utility Users Tax and a 28¢ increase in the property tax for the fiscal year 75-76, and a 17~ increase for 76-77. The yearly cost to the average tax payer would then be $28.26 and $28.96, respectively. Option Two provided for no Utility User Tax and a 40¢ property tax for fiscal year 75-76, with a 39¢ increase for 76-77. The yearly cost to the average taxpayer would be $30.00 and $32.17, respectively. If the 5% Utility User Tax were adopted, a 10~ increase in the property tax would be necessary, and there would be a deficit in the 76-77 year of $88,500~00. The yearly cost to the average taxpayer would be $19.60 for 75-76, and $33.14 for 76-77. Councilman Bricken stated his opinion that the Budget process was antiquated, which tended to obfuscate the facts Council needed to make the decisions, and to add to the confusion; that it does not permit Council to look back in time or to look forward into the future for more than one year. He added that at the current rate, in less than five years, the City would be spending twice as much per capita as it is today, withan operating Budget of $50 million; and that would be impossible with the current system of revenue. CAPITAL RESERVE Councilman Bricken's motion to eliminate the 1975-76 proposed Capital Reserve, in the amount of $203,000, was seconded by Councilman Evans, and carried ~4-1) with Councilman Yamamoto dissenting. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 309 JULY 16, 1975