CC - 1998-14 - Opposing the Efforts of the CA Legislature to Eliminate Vehicles Lincese Fees0. •
RESOLUTION NO. 98 -14
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD OPPOSING THE EFFORTS OF THE CALIFORNIA
LEGISLATURE TO ELIMINATE VEHICLE LICENSE FEES
WHEREAS, in light of a currently sound statewide economy and projected windfall tax
revenues, the State Legislature and Governor's office are exploring the possibility
of eliminating vehicle license fees in the State of California; and
WHEREAS, vehicle license fees have proven to be among the most stable sources of revenue
for local governments since the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, as indicated by
the fact that the City of Rosemead receives more than 22% of its $9 million
general fund budget in the form of vehicle license fees; and
WHEREAS, vehicle license fees in recent years has proved to be the foundation of available
revenue sources used by local governments to fund necessary police, fire and
other public safety services; and
WHEREAS, though there has been discussion of "backfilling" the revenues lost by local
governments, the City Council of the City of Rosemead does not believe that the
Legislature is in a position to commit scarce discretionary revenues to local
governments, especially during the inevitable periods of economic downturn; and
WHEREAS, the plausibility of gaining legislative and voter approval of a Constitutional
Amendment to protect revenues for local governments is highly unlikely in this
era of cynicism toward government and its motives; and
WHEREAS, in the wake of a devastating statewide recession during the early years of this
decade, it appears overly optimistic to count on an unabated stream of tax
revenues at the State level in lieu of vehicle license fees.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE:
To oppose the current effort to rescind vehicle license fees in California unless the
Legislature can ensure a simultaneous Constitutionally protected source of funds to
"backfill" revenues lost by local governments.
Authorize the Mayor to send all necessary correspondence to the State Legislature and
Governor's office stating the Council's opposition.
Authorize the City Clerk to send certified copies of this resolution to the League of
California Cities, the California Contract Cities Association and other entities
interested in protecting the current vehicle license fee.
DONE THIS 28TH DAY OF APRIL, 19
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF ROSEMEAD
I, Nancy Valderrama, City Clerk of the City of Rosemead, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution No. 98 -14 being:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD
OPPOSING THE EFFORTS OF THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE TO ELIMINATE
VEHICLE LICENSE FEES
was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the C
following vote to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
TAYLOR
NOES: COUNCILME MBERS
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
AGENDA:CERTIFY
ity Council on the 28th of April, 1998, by the
VASQUEZ, BRUESCH, CLARK, IMPERIAL,
NONE
NONE
NONE
NANCY VAL15ERRAMA, CITY CLERK-