TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Philippe Eskandar, City Manager
BY: Alison Walker, City Clerk
DATE: June 28, 2024
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A
RESOLUTION OF THE SAN MARINO CITY COUNCIL
ORDERING THAT A MEASURE TO EXTEND THE CITY'S
EXISTING PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIAL TAX FOR FOUR (4)
YEARS BE SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 5, 2024, AND DIRECTING THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS
STRATEGIC PLAN CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Engaged and Connected Residents
Efficient, Responsive, and Effective City Services
Fiscally Responsible and Transparent City Government
BACKGROUND
One of the hallmark characteristics that sets San Marino apart from most other cities is the City’s pride in, and commitment to, public safety. San Marino has become synonymous with the gold standard of safety that many other communities attempt to emulate. This level of service and safety is a direct result of the community’s constant support of the City’s Police, Fire, and Paramedic services. Beginning in 1980 and in every election since, the voters of San Marino have passed a Public Safety Parcel Tax measure for the specific purpose of funding Police, Fire, and Paramedic services.
The current City of San Marino Public Safety Tax will expire on June 30, 2025.
This ballot measure would extend for four (4) years the City of San Marino Public Safety Tax for paramedic, police, and fire protection services. The Public Steven W. Huang, DDS, Mayor
Gretchen Shepherd Romey, Vice Mayor
Tony Chou, Council Member
Calvin Lo, Council Member
Steve Talt, Council Member
Safety Tax is a tax on each parcel of real property in the City and is authorized under the authority of Section 4 of Article XIII-A of the California Constitution.
Estimated collections for FY 24-25 is $3,700,000. As a special tax, the proceeds can only be used for paramedic, police, and fire protection services.
The City may not use the funds for any other purpose.
DISCUSSION
The General Municipal Election will be held on November 5, 2024. As a special tax, the measure requires a two-thirds vote of the persons voting at the election. Staff recommends that the City Council submit an ordinance with a four-year time extension, to align with future City elections that will be held in even years going forward. This tax has been in effect since 1980. A yes vote on the measure would extend the existing Special Public Safety Tax and assessment amounts for four years. A no vote would eliminate the Special Public Safety Tax at the end of the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
FISCAL IMPACT & PROCUREMENT REVIEW
The cost of placing this ballot measure on the November 5, 2024, election is included in the total estimated cost of the election, which is $50,000. This amount is included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operating Budget.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved as to form.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council conduct a public hearing and direct that a Measure be included on the November 5, 2024, election ballot that will give residents of the City of San Marino the opportunity to decide whether to continue the Special Public Safety Tax for paramedic, police, and fire protection services.
If the City Council concurs with staff’s recommendation, an appropriate motion would be:
“I move to adopt Resolution No. R-24-22, a resolution of the San Marino City Council ordering that a measure to extend the City’s existing Public Safety Special Tax for four (4) years be submitted to the voters at the general municipal election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and directing the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis.”
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. R-24-22, a Resolution of the San Marino City Council ordering that a measure to extend the City’s existing Public Safety Special Tax for four (4) years
2. Ordinance No. O-24-1412, an Ordinance levying a Special Public Safety Tax for paramedic services, police protection, and fire prevention, including Exhibit I to the ordinance