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RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -016 <br />A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF <br />SANTA ANA CALLING FOR THE PLACEMENT OF A <br />GENERAL TAX MEASURE TO BE PLACED ON THE <br />BALLOT OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO <br />BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2014 FOR <br />SUBMISSION TO THE VOTERS OF A PROPOSED <br />ORDINANCE TO UPDATE AND MODERNIZE THE CITY'S <br />UTILITY USERS TAX AS IT RELATES TO <br />TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND REDUCING THE TAX AS <br />IT RELATES TO ALL UTILITY USERS TAX CHARGES; <br />AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT AN <br />IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS <br />WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 35 -155, 35 -156, 35 -157 and 35 -159 of the <br />Santa Ana Municipal Code, the City currently levies a Utility Users Tax ( "UUT ") at the <br />rate of six (6) percent of all charges made for telephone, electricity, gas and water <br />services; and <br />WHEREAS, if approved by the voters, the proposed ordinance modernizing and <br />reducing the UUT across the board to the rate of five and one -half (5 1/2) percent of all <br />charges made for telecommunication, electricity, gas and water services would be on <br />par with the State average and will help ensure stability in budget planning and reduce <br />the risk of legal challenges; and <br />WHEREAS, the UUT is a general tax which funds the City general fund. The <br />general fund pays for essential City services such as police protection, fire and <br />paramedic services, street operations and maintenance, library services, parks and <br />recreation services and general municipal services to the public; and <br />WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana has already taken a variety of measures to <br />reduce spending, including avoiding filling vacant positions, implementing furlough days <br />for City employees, closing City facilities on certain days, and reducing services, and <br />whereas further reductions in spending will have real and noticeable impacts on public <br />safety, the quality of life enjoyed by Santa Ana residents, and Santa Ana's <br />attractiveness as a place to live, work and do business; and <br />WHEREAS, the City currently receives approximately $24 million per year in <br />UUT, approximately $9 million which is generated solely from telephone communication <br />services, and such revenues are critical to the public welfare and the City's financial <br />ability to provide essential municipal services; and <br />Resolution No. 2014 -016 <br />Page 1 of 5 <br />