HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 6685 RESOLUTION NO. 6685
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
URGING THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE TO USE A BALANCED
APPROACH IN ADOPTING THE STATE BUDGET.
WHEREAS, the State of California is facing a $38 billion deficit, which will
require the State to take dramatic measures to adopt a balanced budget, and
WHEREAS, counties and cities are adopting budgets for the 2003 -04 fiscal year,
but these budgets cannot be considered final until the State budget is completed, and
WHEREAS, cities understand that the State government controls much of the
fiscal authority for the funds received by cities, and
WHEREAS, the State previously reduced city property tax revenue and the
reduction is on -going and amounted to $779 million in 2002 -03, and
WHEREAS, the magnitude of the fiscal condition requires that the State balance
the budget by reducing expenditures and increasing revenues, and
WHEREAS, the 2003 -04 State budget plan should include a proposal to the
voters to constitutionally shield local general tax revenues that fund public safety, street
maintenance, parks and libraries, and other vital services from state reductions in the
future,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DOWNEY:
That the State adhere to the following principles in order to adopt a balanced budget:
SECTION 1. Spending Cuts. The State should reduce expenditures to the
greatest extent possible, but minimize the loss of federal funds where possible.
SECTION 2. Short -Term Borrowing. The State should use short -term debt
over a period not to exceed five years in order to assist the State to balance the 1 udget
and secure the debt with temporary taxes, designated solely to retire this debt.
SECTION 3. Local Revenue Protection. The State should submit to the voters
a ballot measure that amends the state constitution and limits the legislature's ability to
take, divert, or reduce City property tax revenue, City sales tax revenue, VLF (irc1uding
VLF backfill) and all locally approved tax revenues of local government.
RESOLUTION NO. 6685
PAGE TWO
SECTION 4. Reserve. The State should maintain a prudent reserve that could
be accessed during economic shortfalls.
SECTION 5. VLF Covenant. That the State should honor its covenant with
local government by activating the VLF trigger or continue the state General Fund -
revenue backfill for VLF.
SECTION 6. Local Government Reductions. That the State should limit any
reductions applied to State funding of local government to one -time reductions and any
reductions should not exceed the proportion of the overall reduction in the State's budget.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of July, 2003.
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RICK TREJO, Mayo
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the City
Council of 'he City of Downey at a regular meeting held on the 8th day of July,
2003, by thy. following vote, to wit:
AYES: 4 Council Members: Bayer, McCarthy, Perkins, Mayor Trejo
NOES: 0 Council Members: None
ABSENT: 1 Council Members: Cartozian
ABSTAIN 0 Council Members: None
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KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk