ITEM:            CONSENT CALENDAR

 

4.         CONSIDER CONTRIBUTION TO CALIFORNIA SPECIAL DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION LOCAL EFFORT

 

Meeting Date:           December 15, 2003                            Budgeted: No

                                                                                                Program/Line Item No.:  N/A

Staff Contact:             Rick Dickhaut                                   Cost Estimate: +/-$500

 

General Counsel Approval:  N/A

The Administrative Committee reviewed this item at its December 9, 2003 meeting and recommended approval.

CEQA Compliance:  N/A


SUMMARY:  The California Special Districts Association (CSDA) joined the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties in the formation of the Leave Our Assets Local (LOCAL) coalition.  LOCAL is now undertaking an effort to place a statewide ballot initiative on the November 2004 ballot to put voters in charge of whether local tax dollars should be diverted from local district programs to fund state services.  CSDA is asking special districts for support in the form of a financial contribution to help fund the cost associated with formulating the initiative and securing sponsors.  Attached as Exhibit 4-A is the letter received from the CSDA regarding this subject.  Suggested contributions range from $500 to $10,000.  The District’s 2003 membership dues to CSDA were $2,165.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  District staff recommends that the Board provide direction regarding the amount of the District’s contribution, if any, to the California Special District Association for the above stated purpose.  No funds have been budgeted for this purpose; however, a contribution could be funded out of the contingency portion of the budget.  The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on December 9, 2003 and voted 2 to 0 to recommend approval.

 

BACKGROUND:  The District is a member of the California Special Districts Association (CSDA).  One of the most significant goals of CSDA is to build support for special district issues by educating key decision-makers and media about the value of special districts in providing essential services that voters want and need.  CSDA officially took its place in 2002 as the third leg in local government advocating for special districts by joining the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties in the formation of the Leave Our Community Assets Local (LOCAL) Coalition.  While more than $30 billion of local property taxes have been taken from local governments by the state over the past twelve years, during this year’s state budget process LOCAL was able to save local revenues and services from further cuts that could have crippled local government.  However, resolving the issue through the Legislature does not appear to be a long-term feasible option.  LOCAL is currently undertaking an effort to place a statewide ballot initiative on the November 2004 ballot to put voters in charge of whether local tax dollars should be diverted from local district programs to fund state services. 

 

 

 

 

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