I don’t know if an EFID will prove to be a good thing or a bad thing but like so many new issues that come before the city council, it happens at the 11th hour and it is vetted in haste.
A perfect example of this is Lynda Hopkins statement at the last city council meeting, “I wanted to hear from council today.” So, she needed a yes or no after 20 minutes of discussion.
I thought Neysa asked a great question, “If we’re not reassessing anything, why are we surveying the properties?” That is the most important question to, most likely, all property owners. I wasn’t convinced by the answer Diana or Lynda gave especially when Lynda stated, “No new taxes just taking that tax increment and financing a property tax increase and then reinvesting it in the community.” This sounds like 1984 doublespeak to me.
Basic questions:
1. How much time and money will this take away from our city staff, who are already overburdened with their amount of work?
2. What is the goal, the vision; what is it that the council is going for in this?
Lynda, Diana and Steven have already been talking about a new library – if that is the goal – state it. The ask should be on the table and then taxpayers might get on board.
Hopkins stated, “The last step of the 1st phase is to create a public financing authority with Sebastopol and the County and members of the public. I would assume that would be people from West County.” If it is people from West County, do you really think they are going to go along with using their taxes for something in Sebastopol?
3. 25% of our 2% increase in property taxes? What happens if there is no percentage increase? This is where I figure it will end up becoming another property tax because an EFID can legally be funded by a sales tax or a property tax.
4. Sandra’s question of Lynda; property owners will not have to pay more taxes – is that true?
Hopkins stated, “That would depend on what the county decides to do with respect to its formal EIFD policy. It is unlikely the county would put in that the City of Sebastopol having some kind of a match.”
THIS ANSWER IS FROM HOPKINS AND IS WHERE EACH OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY THROW THIS OUT.
No one knows, yet, what the county will do – how can any council member in good faith vote yes? It’s unlikely, really, unlikely? The council is supposed to be fiduciarily responsible for the citizens of Sebastopol. Going ahead with this carrot Lynda is hanging over them is not responsible unless these questions, and others, are answered by the county in writing prior to a yes vote.
And another quote from Hopkins, “This is redevelopment 2.0 so you would need to – as part of the analysis – be assured that the investments in the community will actually result in increased property taxes overtime to compensate for the money that has been invested in those improvements.” And, after Sandra asked, “will property taxpayers get a vote? Lynda answered, “They don’t need to vote on it because it’s not actually a new tax. It’s just investing a portion of their property tax increase over time back into the community. It’s not something that goes to the vote of the people.”
Now, that was misleading and the exact place where, if she were being transparent, she would explain the 3 steps involved in deciding the project and at the end if the members of the public on the committee are not in agreement, then it will go to an actual vote from all voters.
Lastly, this isn’t free money. Free money is never free and this is taxpayer’s money. Most likely, we are heading into rough times and now is not time for a city in a fiscal emergency to flit on a lark. Spend your time on what is needed – basics.
Thank you for your time,
Mary Cone