HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: February 21, 2023
Disposition: Resolution 15192
Agenda Item No: 4.f
Meeting Date: February 21, 2023
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: City Manager
Prepared by: Bernadette Sullivan
Senior Management Analyst
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: THE TAXPAYER PROTECTION AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL OPPOSING
THE PROPOSED BALLOT MEASURE: THE TAXPAYER PROTECTION AND
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
BACKGROUND:
On February 1, 2023, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber issued a memo to all county
clerks/registrars of voters announcing that proponents of Initiative 21-0042A1 had filed the necessary
number of valid signatures to make it eligible for the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot.
The “Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act,” a statewide initiative measure to amend
the California Constitution sponsored by the California Business Roundtable (“CBRT”), is a proposal that
would limit the ability of state and local governments to enact, modify, or expand taxes, assessments,
fees, and property-related charges, among other things.
ANALYSIS:
Ballot Initiative 21-0042A1 would result in the loss of billions of dollars annually in critical state and local
funding, restricting the ability of local agencies and the State of California to fund services and
infrastructure by:
•Adopting new and stricter rules for raising taxes, fees, assessments, and property-related fees.
•Amending the State Constitution, including portions of Propositions 13, 218, and 26, and creating
new grounds to challenge local and state funding sources, disrupting fiscal stability.
•Restricting the ability of local governments to issue fines and penalties to corporations and
property owners that violate local environmental, water quality, public health, public safety, fair
housing, nuisance and other laws and ordinances.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact and the City has expended no resources associated with the adoption of the
attached resolution.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1. Adopt the resolution.
2. Do not adopt the resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 15192
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
OPPOSING THE PROPOSED BALLOT MEASURE: THE TAXPAYER
PROTECTION AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
WHEREAS, California's cities, counties and special districts follow strict
guidelines and existing state law regarding the establishment of reasonable fees and
voter-approved local taxes; and
WHEREAS, the state ballot measure, “The Taxpayer Protection and Government
Accountability Act”, sponsored by the California Business Roundtable would restrict the
ability of local governments to continue to provide essential services by imposing new
onerous roadblocks to raising local revenue to address community needs, services and
infrastructure improvements; and
WHEREAS, the measure would add new and stricter rules for local governments
to raise taxes, fees, assessments, and property-related fees; and
WHEREAS the measure would amend the State Constitution, including portions
of Propositions 13, 218, and 26, and create new grounds to challenge local and state
funding sources, disrupting the fiscal stability of local governments; and
WHEREAS, the measure would restrict the ability of local governments to issue
fines and penalties to corporations and property owners that violate laws governing the
environment, water quality, public health, public safety, fair housing, and nuisance and
other laws and ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the impact of the proposed ballot measure would be to reduce all
types of public funds, both state and local, and thereby threaten public agencies’ ability
to adequately fund police, fire, park, planning, and other community services.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
RESOLVES as follows:
1. The City Council of the City of San Rafael does hereby oppose “The Taxpayer
Protection and Government Accountability Act” on the grounds that this measure
would harm the ability of local governments to adequately provide essential
services to our communities.
2. The City Manager of the City of San Rafael is authorized to email a copy of this
adopted resolution to the League of California Cities at
BallotMeasures@calcities.org.
3. No public funds of the City of San Rafael shall be used in the campaign for or
against the ballot measure.
I, Lindsay Lara, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the
City Council of the City of San Rafael, held on Tuesday, the 21st day of February 2023
by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Hill, Kertz, Llorens Gulati & Mayor Kate
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk