HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 187-19RESOLUTION NO. ' 8 7 19
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF BAKERSFIELD REAFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR
PROPOSITION 13 AND OPPOSING A PROPOSED
STATEWIDE BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT WOULD
OTHERWISE SIGNIFICANTLY ALTER THE ORIGINAL
INTENT AND PURPOSE OF PROPOSITION 13.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, prior to Proposition 13, there were no limits on increases for
property tax rates; and
WHEREAS, prior to Proposition 13, local governmental agencies
independently established tax rates and the total property tax rate was the
composite of the individual rates, with few limitations; and
WHEREAS, prior to Proposition 13, some properties were reassessed 50
percent to 100 percent in a single year, with property tax bills increasing
correspondingly; and
WHEREAS, prior to Proposition 13, all property owners were subject to
unpredictable and unsustainable property tax increases; and
WHEREAS, prior to Proposition 13, excessive and volatile increases in
property taxes hindered home ownership and business development; and
WHEREAS, in June 1978, California voters passed Proposition 13, know as the
People's Initiative to Limit Property Taxation, which reformed the way properties
were taxed statewide; and
WHEREAS, under Proposition 13 fax reform, property fax values were rolled
back and frozen at the 1976 assessed value level and are based on the purchase
price of a property and not the current market value; and
WHEREAS, under Proposition 13, property tax increases on any given
property were limited to no more than 2 percent per year as long as the property
was not sold; and
OR;G;NAL
WHEREAS, the form of property taxation under Proposition 13 apply equally
to all real estate, residential, commercial and industrial, whether owned by
individuals or corporations; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 13 reduced property tax rates on homes, businesses
and farms by about 57 percent; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 13 has significantly benefited all property owners in
California by making property taxes predictable and manageable; and
WHEREAS, the City Council previously affirmed its support for Proposition 13
by approving Resolution No. 178-14; and
WHEREAS, in October 2019, a proposed initiative measure (1 9-0008Al) was
cleared for signature collection, that if becomes qualified for the statewide ballot
and passed by voters, would significantly alter how property taxes are assessed
on commercial and industrial properties; and
WHEREAS, under the proposed initiative most commercial, industrial and
certain vacant properties would be taxed based on the current market value, as
opposed to the original purchase price plus the annual inflation factor as currently
done under Proposition 13; and
WHEREAS, this proposal is commonly referred to as a "split roll"; and
I
WHEREAS, the proposed initiative will further increase the costs of many
businesses operating in California, increase cost for consumers, prevent
companies from hiring new employees and have no accountability for how the
new funds are expended; and
WHEREAS, the proposed initiative will expose commercial and industrial
property owners to pre -Proposition 13 patterns of property tax volatility, which will
hinder economic development and negatively impact the business climate in
California; and
WHEREAS, a significant property tax increase, in addition to California's
other high taxes would damage consumers, employers, and ultimately the
economy; and
WHEREAS, for over four decades, Proposition 13 has proven to be a benefit
to all property owners within California and should not be amended or altered.
ORIGAAL
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of
Bakersfield as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct
2. The City Council hereby reaffirms its support of Proposition 13
3. The City Council hereby opposes the proposed initiative to alter the
original intent and purpose of Proposition 13
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OR!GAAL
HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted,
by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on
DEC I 1 2019 by the following vote:
AY COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA, GONZALES, WEIR, SMITH, FREE WN, SULLIVAN, PARLIER
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER WMQ
IN: COUNCIL MEMBER
BSE ' COUNCIL MEMBER-r0P-rnc1n
JL LIE DRIMAKIS, CMC
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio
Clerk of the Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED: DEC 112019
By / d CAVLAO gnVA
KAREN GOH
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
By /z
RICHARD IGER
Deputy City Attorney
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