03/12/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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The voter~ would therefore have the opportunity to vote on any supplemental budgets. The tax base, once established, could be used for a couple of years. tit Oy~('o..boV"'la\ limits for individual years would be determined by using the State " formula involving the Consumer Price Index and population growth factor, yet the total would still be eligible for the 30-percent tax relief program. The individual limits for each year were established in that manner. The charter amendment: which would be on the May 20 ballot would take effect if the tax base is approved. If the tax base did not pass, the charter amendment would not take effect. The charter amendment could contain a sunset clause, on the amendment to be effective June 30, 1982. Manager indicated that a gross limit of $19 million could be also be added for 1982-83. Also an amendment could be con- sidered which would establish maximums but not sunset the two-thirds vote requirement. Mr. Henry further stated that the order in which the ballot measures occur can be adjusted somewhat so that the charter amendment appears first and the tax base second. If the council strays from these areas of consideration, the proposal should go back to the attorney as this is a very precise and bindinq commitment. They would need to call a special City Council meetinq. Mr. Lieuallen stated he would like to hear additional discussion for having a third-year gross levy limit without voter approval and not attaching a sunset provision to the two-third vote requirement of the Budget Committee. Mr. Henry noted that there is a gap in the third year from $16.5 million to $21 million. They have used the growth and cost of living percentage, year to year, as used in the State formula, and he thinks it is a rational approach. In regard to the process, the staff has always felt that getting a two-thirds vote of the Budqet ~ Committee was highly desirable. He said that elections have not been won with ., very narrow votes in the Budget Committee. Mr. Lieuallen stated that the democratic process is of that simple majority vote. He stated including the sunset clause would require that this process be reviewed periodically. He would. like to have that review opportunity. He stated that establishing such a process is a departure from the traditional democratic process. Mr. Delay stated he disagreed with Mr. Lieuallen. He does not view it as a departure from traditional democratic process. The process would be that major consensus of the Budget Committee would be required on the core budget and alternative programs would be decided by the voters. In regards to the review, if this process fails, it will need to be dealt with before the sunset clause would come into effect. He further stated he feels the process is the key factor to provide the opportunity for people to decide whether or not they wish to con- tinue funding projects to which they have become accustomed. He does not feel this process should be sunsetted. Inclusion of this clause would just be to reassure the community. Mr. Delay stated the process should be established: then only the tax base wi 11 need to be updated every few years. In reqard to the order of items on the ballot, he felt it might be better to put the charter amendments first. Ms. Smith stated she is pleased to see a third-year fiqure. She supports Mr. Delay's comments and feels a two-thirds vote of the Budget Committee is very important. She stated she felt it would be better to put the charter amendments on first and then the tax base. .' .3/12/80--10