HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/2020 09 City Council Express Support for Levy Lid Lift Ballot Prop. No. 1 a\'4\lyy bxk ik 1
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 9.
For Meeting of: January 21, 2020
ITEM TITLE: Resolution expressing the City Council's support for the Levy Lid
Lift Ballot Proposition No. 1 .
SUBMITTED BY: Alex Meyerhoff, Interim City Manager
Jeff Cutter, City Attorney
Steve Groom, Director of Finance and Budget
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
On December 3, 2019, the Yakima City Council placed a ballot measure on the February 11,
2020 special election ballot regarding a proposed property tax"levy lid lift." By state law, annual
income from property taxes collected by cities can only increase by 1% annually, unless voters
approve a greater increase, thereby"lifting the 1% lid" otherwise imposed by statute. The special
election ballot measure, which will be listed as City of Yakima Proposition No.1, asks voters to
approve an increase in property tax income in an amount greater than 1% for the year 2021 . The
additional revenues generated by the levy lid lift would be available to address general fund
supported City services, with particular consideration for law enforcement, public safety and
public infrastructure needs that have been identified by the Council. State law permits City
elected officials (Council members)to advocate for or against a ballot measure as individuals or
on behalf of the Council collectively. With respect to the latter opportunity, the attached resolution
represents the City Council's collective expression of support for the levy lid lift that will appear on
the February 11 special election ballot as City of Yakima Proposition No.1.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
L reso 1/15/2020 r Me e
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RESOLUTION NO. R-2020-
RESOLUTION expressing the City Council's support for the City of Yakima's Proposition
No. 1 authorizing the City to lift the one percent levy limit established in
RCW 84.55.010 in order to provide funds to pay the costs of City operations
and services, including public safety, parks and recreation, addressing
homelessness, street maintenance, planning, code enforcement and
graffiti removal.
WHEREAS, the three primary sources of revenue the City receives to pay for operations
and services such as public safety, parks and recreation, homeless issues, street maintenance,
planning, and code enforcement are sales tax, utility tax, and property tax; and
WHEREAS, state law restricts the City's annual increase in property tax revenue to a
maximum of a 1% annual increase, despite the fact that actual costs for City services and
operations have increased at approximately 2.5% each year, resulting in a shrinking source of
revenue and an inability to meet service and operations requirements the residents need; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 the City Council adopted long-term strategic priorities which included
fiscal sustainability as the top objective; and
WHEREAS,the City Council carefully considers multiple priorities in each year's proposed
budget and approves only those within foreseeably reasonable budgeted revenue; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 budget did not provide funding to increase the police response to
violent crime in the City or to address improved police and fire response times within the City; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 budget did not provide funding for replacement of aging fire engines
and police patrol vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 budget did not provide funding for continuing the effort to provide
children with safe means to go to and from their schools; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 budget did not provide funding for expansion of the Clean City goals
for the downtown area, streets and parks; and
WHEREAS, the 2020 budget did not provide funding for enhanced wildland firefighting
capabilities to meet growing needs as the City expands; and
WHEREAS, state law provides a means for the City's voters to approve an annual
increase in property tax greater than 1% if they approve what is referred to as a "levy lid lift"; and
WHEREAS, on February 11, 2020, voters in the City of Yakima (the "City") will decide
whether to approve the City's ballot proposition No. 1, a measure that would lift the one percent
real property tax levy limit established in RCW 84.55.010 in order to provide funds to pay the costs
of City operations and services that include public safety, parks and recreation, homeless issues,
street maintenance, planning, code enforcement and graffiti removal; and
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WHEREAS, pursuant to RC1/V42.l7.l3O. the City Council finds that its support ofBallot
Proposition No. 1 is in the bests interests of the residents of the City and therefore expresses its
support for the proposed levy lid lift; now, therefore
BE |T RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY C>FYAK|KXA:
Seotion1. The City Council hereby expresses its support for the City'» Proposition No. l'
included on the February 11, 2020 special election which, if passed, authorizes the City to lift the
levy limit established in RCW84.55.010to provide funding to sustain City operations and services,
including public safety, parks/recreation, youth/family, addressing homelessness, street and
facilities nnaintonanoo, and other City operations and services, by increasing the City's regular
property tax levy by $O.4O/$1.0O0nf assessed property value tno maximum rate nf $3.10/$1.0O0
uf assessed property value, for collection in2O2l. The 2O2l levy amount will bo used as the basis
to calculate subsequent levies, consistent with RCVVD4.55.
Geotion2. This resolution shall become effective immediately after its adoption.
ADOPTED BY' THE CITY COUNCIL this 2lst day nf January, 2O2O.
Patricia Byers, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sonya C|aar Tee, City Clerk