HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 03-004
RESOLUTION NO. 03-004
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
URGING THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE TO REJECT THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSED SHIFT OF LOCAL VLF REVENUES AND TO HONOR THE 1998
COMMITMENT TO RESTORE THE VLF
WHEREAS, prior to 1935, cities and counties collected property taxes on motor
vehicles to fund essential local public health and safety services; and
WHEREAS, in 1935, the Legislature first enacted the Vehicle License Fee (VLF)
Act, replacing the property tax on vehicles with a 1.75 percent fee charged against the
value of the motor vehicle; and
WHEREAS, in 1948, the rate of the VLF was increased to 2 percent of the value
of the vehicle; and
WHEREAS, in 1986, the voters voted overwhelmingly to constitutionally
dedicate the proceeds of the VLF to fund city and county services; and
WHEREAS, in 1998, a period of strong economic growth, the Legislature
approved the use of a portion of the rapidly growing state General Fund to reduce the
VLF payments of vehicle owners. This amount, known as the "offset", grew in future
years to a 67.5 percent offset against the amount owed. The amount paid to local
governments in lieu of the reduced VLF payment is known as the "VLF backfill"; and
WHEREAS, the 1998 legislation and subsequent enactments contain clear
provisions that when insufficient funds are available to be transferred from the General
Fund to fully fund the offsets and backfill amount that the VLF offset shall be reduced
and VLF payments increased; and
WHEREAS, VLF and backfill revenues constitute 15 to 25 percent of typical city
and county general purpose revenues. On average, more than 60 percent of city general
fund spending and more than half of county general funds go to front line law
enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and health care programs.
WHEREAS, revenues derived from the VLF and backfill are of critical
importance in funding vital local public health and safety services; and
WHEREAS, any failure by the Legislature to maintain the VLF backfill or
restore the VLF will cause widespread disruption in local government services essential
to the well-being of California citizens and their cities and counties; and
WHEREAS, Governor Davis' proposal to divert $4 billion in local VLF backfill
payments over the next 17 months fails to honor the 1998 commitment and is a direct
assault on local services that will be felt by every California resident; and
WHEREAS, shifting $4.2 billion in locally controlled revenues for local services
is neither equitable nor fair. No state program or department has been asked to shoulder
such a disproportionate share ofthe budget pain. These cuts come on top of the nearly $5
billion each year that is transferred from local services to fund state obligations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA, that ifthe state General Fund can no longer
afford the expense of part or all ofthe VLF "backfill" that the Legislature and Governor
of California are hereby respectfully urged to implement the provisions of current law
providing for the reduction of the VLF offset in bad economic times and to restore the
VLF in an amount necessary to reduce the VLF backfill; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the City of Saratoga hereby expresses its profound
appreciation to the legislators who support such VLF restoration legislation.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at an adjourned meeting of
the Saratoga City Council held on the 15th day of January 2003 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Stan Bogosian, Kathleen King, Norman Kline,
Mayor Nick Streit
NOES: None
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Ann Waltonsmith
ABSTAIN: None
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Nick Streit, Mayor
ATTEST:
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