TASSA CONSULTING GROUP, LLC - 2007

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EZ Application Consultant Services - City of Santa Ana July 5, 2007 Director and Practice Leader of Controversy and Consulting for the Western Region, where, among other state and local tax services, he assisted businesses with the documentation of their entitlement to EZ tax credits. As such, he worked with local EZ coordinators, the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), and large and mid-size companies throughout California. As former Deputy State Controller for the State of California from 1995-1998, Rex Halverson sat on the State Board of Equalization and served as Controller Kathleen Connell's advisor on all FTB matters. He later served as an advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger's tax team. He has extensive knowledge and experience in drafting tax legislation, regulations, and tax policy. Chris Micheli has worked on the EZ Program since 1993, including extensive experience in the legislative, regulatory and credit areas. He served as the Executive Director of the Association of California Enterprise Zone Employers, where he represented businesses before the Legislature and relevant executive branch departments. He has helped draft several bills affecting the EZ Program, including AB 46 (Washington), which resulted in three new EZs being authorized, as well as AB 1550 (Arambula), which substantially revised the EZ designation process that is embodied in the 2007 Application Guidebook. He has also been involved in the voucher regulations and tax credit controversy proceedings. Additionally, he has published a number of articles on California's EZ program, including ones addressing both the Government Code and Revenue & Taxation. Code provisions. Those articles have appeared in national publications, including the Journal of State Taxation and State Tax Notes. . It is also important to note that it was Chris Micheli and Rex Halverson who led the effort last year against HCD's erroneous interpretation of the law that required the EZ Application Area be at least 51 % industrial and/or commercial. In the end, HCD revised its policy. We have included in the References section the contact information for persons associated with our work at the City of Compton, as well as the Counties of Stanislaus and Merced. We have also enclosed the letter of reference received from the City of Compton. We would be pleased to share testimonials from other clients if desired. The principals of Tassa Consulting Group and Snodgrass & Micheli will be jointly responsible for the City of Santa Ana's Enterprise Zone application to HCD. There are specific sections of the EZ application for which each principal will be responsible. Tassa Consulting Group, LLC is a 50% woman-owned firm. Snodgrass & Micheli, LLC is a sole proprietorship. Both are California limited liability companies registered with the Secretary of State. - 4-