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
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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