RESOLUTION NO. 2022-62
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GONZALES IN
SUPPORT OF MEASURE D, A MEASURE TO BE CONSIDERED AT A SPECIAL ALL-MAIL BALLOT ELECTION ON AUGUST 30, 2022, INCREASING THE CITY’S TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX (SALES TAX) BY ONE-HALF PERCENT (0.5%),
WITH THE USE OF SUCH SPECIAL TAX FUNDS TO INITIALLY BE DEDICATED
EXCLUSIVELY TO THE GONZALES COMMUNITY CENTER COMPLEX PROJECT
AND THEREAFTER TO ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR, WITH THE USE OF
SUCH REVENUE TO BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL AUDITS
BY AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
WHEREAS, after several years of planning and extensive public outreach and input, the City of Gonzales is pursuing the construction of a Community Center Complex Project (“Community Center Project”) which will include a public library, Teen Innovation Center, a fitness studio, stand-alone gymnasium, multi-use conference rooms, consulting and counseling rooms, commercial kitchen, a 3,500 square foot Community Hall to host fitness and recreation classes and competitive sports events and public and private functions, and extensive outdoor venues which include an exercise area, amphitheater with stage, and meet-and-greet lounge areas; and
WHEREAS, the Council, Staff and Community appear generally to be of the joint opinion that the Community Center Project, as planned, will provide a multitude of recreation, education and social activities for local and regional residents and will be of benefit to the health and the quality of life for City residents of all ages; and WHEREAS, the total cost estimate for the Community Center Project is $42.8 million dollars ($34.8 million dollars for the base project and an additional $8 million for the stand-alone gymnasium), and while the City has been and continues to be diligent in seeking and obtaining funding sources for the Project, including significant State and local grants and use of City Measure X tax funds, the City still faces a significant Project funding deficit; and WHEREAS, on May 31, 2022, the Gonzales City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022- 31 placing a question on a ballot at a special all-mail election to be held on August 30, 2022, for consideration by the voters of “Measure D- The Gonzales Community Center Temporary Tax Measure (“Measure D”),” that would amend the Gonzales City Code and the provisions of the City’s Transactions and Use Tax (“TUT”); and
WHEREAS, Measure D is a special tax, which if passed by two-thirds (2/3) of the voters at the August 30 all-mail election, would adopt a one-half percent (0.5%) TUT on retail transactions involving tangible personal property in the City for a term of forty (40) years, to 2064, which would initially be used exclusively as security for financing the outstanding balance of the cost of the Community Center Project, with any funds generated after complete funding of the Project being dedicated to street maintenance and repair; and
WHEREAS, the City’s current TUT is set at one percent (1.0%), and if Measure D is adopted would be increased to one and one-half percent (1.5%), with an estimate that the onehalf percent (0.5%) increase in the City’s TUT would generate an additional $750,000 in special taxes each year; and
WHEREAS, if Measure D is passed at the August 30, all mail ballot election the tax revenues would be collected by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and remitted to the City, kept in a separate account from the revenues generated by the existing general TUT, and would be subject to independent annual audits and annual public expenditure reports; and
WHEREAS, the Council sincerely believes that the adoption of Measure D will assist in supporting the City Council’s and Community’s desire to provide a much-needed Community Center and is in keeping with the City’s goal of maintaining a safe, clean, family-friendly community.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Gonzales as follows:
1. The City Council of the City of Gonzales, and each member hereof, does hereby support Measure D-The Gonzales Community Center Temporary Tax Measure.
2. The City Council urges the citizens of Gonzales to learn the facts concerning the City’s current fiscal condition and the plans and status of the Gonzales Community Center Complex Project in order to make a reasoned and educated decision concerning Measure D.
3. Notwithstanding this resolution of support, the Council is fully aware of the restrictions imposed on the use of City funds to support ballot measures and represents that no public funds have been or will be used to campaign for or against Measure D.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Gonzales at a regular meeting duly held on the 15th day of August, 2022 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Jose L. Rios, The Honorable Mayor
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk