HomeMy WebLinkAbout95-68 - Measure M Sales Tax Ordinance on Countywide Ballotand
RESOLUTION NO. 95-68
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, DIRECTING
CITY REPRESENTATIVES ON THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTA-
TION AUTHORITY TO PLACE THE MEASURE M
SALES TAX ORDINANCE ON A COUNTYWIDE
BALLOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPEAL OR
MODIFICATION.
WHEREAS, on December 6, 1994, the County of Orange declared bankruptcy;
WHEREAS, the credit -worthiness of the County and all jurisdictions within are
threatened by a potential default on hundreds of millions of dollars in debt payments due within
12 months; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Supervisors is considering bankruptcy recovery
options which include shifting the Bradley -Burns sales tax from cities to the County; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature previously passed, and is likely to consider again,
legislation that proposes to shift as much as 16 percent of property tax revenues for up to 20
years from cities to the County of Orange; and
WHEREAS, a shift of sales tax or property tax revenues will have a serious negative
impact on the general funds of all Orange County cities, putting at risk provision of services
such as public safety, parks and recreation, and street maintenance; and
WHEREAS, the voters rejected Measure R, the "bankruptcy recovery" sales tax increase
on June 27, 1995; and
WHEREAS, the California Supreme Court has conclusively ruled, in March of 1995, that
taxes may be repealed prospectively by voter mandate; and
WHEREAS, there is currently imposed a half -cent sales tax within Orange County,
approved by the voters in 1990 as Measure M, for a duration of 20 years, expected to result in
revenues exceeding three billion dollars; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board has the
authority, according to legal opinions of both the County Counsel and OCTA attorneys, to place
the real or modification of Measure M before the voters; and
WHEREAS, the OCTA Board of Directors includes six city delegates representing all
the cities of Orange County; and
WHEREAS, the six city members constitute a majority of votes on the 11 -member
OCTA Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, redirection of Measure M revenues to the County would provide a dedicated
revenue stream to assist in the County bankruptcy recovery plans; and
WHEREAS, redirection of Measure M revenues to the County will avoid the necessity
for proposed shifts of revenues from cities to the County, or any tax increases on the public;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Division, League of
California Cities, directs the City representatives on the OCTA Board to take action to place
Measure M on a countywide ballot as soon as is practicable, to the extent consistent with State
law, to allow voters a chance to reallocate up to $350 million in Measure M funds for
bankruptcy recovery purposes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City representatives report back to the Division
General Meeting in September and October of 1995 as to their actions to implement this
resolution.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to all City
representatives on the OCTA Board of Directors, all other members of the OCTA Board of
Directors, all Orange County cities, and local media representatives.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 9th day of August, 1995.
ATTEST:
I.
Deputy City1 rk of the City of Costa Mesa
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
'L_ /00"� -�'
May r of the City of Costa Mesa
APPROVED AS TO FORM
YqkA?�_V43�J I_- I J - q'�'
CITY ATTORNEY
I, MARY T. ELLIOTT, Deputy City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the City Council of
the City of Costa Mesa, hereby certify that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 95-68 was
duly and regularly passed and adopted by the City Council at a joint Costa Mesa Redevelopment
Agency/adjourned City Council meeting held on the 9th day of August, 1995.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the City
of Costa Mesa this 14th day of August, 1995.
10 0 If I
D"CityCo
erk and ex -officio Clerk of
thil of the City of Costa Mesa