ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D4
Prepared by: Amanda Lee, Acting City Manager Meeting Date: February 28, 2023 Approved by: Amanda Lee, Acting City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION TO ABOLISH THE GAS TAX
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss a resolution to abolish the gas tax.
PRIOR ACTION: On November 9, 2021, discussed roadway usage charges based on vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2021-196, objecting to new taxes, charges, or fees imposed by SANDAG on motorists to use roadways (Vote: 3-1-1, Contreras opposed, Melendez abstained).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Councilmember Melendez requested the City Manager place a discussion item on an upcoming agenda to discuss a resolution to abolish the gas tax. A proposed resolution for adoption is provided by Councilmember Melendez and is attached as Exhibit 1.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this discussion item.
EXHIBITS:
1.City Council Resolution No. 2023- , to abolish the gas tax AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
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Discussed and Resolution to abolish gas tax, adopted City Council Resolution 2023-24.
Vote: 5-0
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, TO ABOLISH THE GAS TAX
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. The State of California passed legislation in 2021 to pilot a Road Usage Charge program in order to fund road maintenance and transportation infrastructure and Californian's have paid a Gas Tax since 1923 to fund road maintenance and transportation infrastructure.
B. New gas-powered vehicles will be banned for sale as of the year 2035 and Gas Tax revenues have been declining in recent years therefore the California legislature has explored new methods of taxation such as a Road Usage Charge in order fund road maintenance and transportation infrastructure.
C. Despite this ban, low-income communities will continue to depend on gas- powered vehicles due to their accessible cost and therefore will continue to purchase gas and pay gas taxes even while a Road Usage Charge is implemented.
D. The State of California and other agencies proposing a Road Usage Charge have not provided a timeline or proof to taxpayers that the Gas Tax will be abolished before new taxes or a Road Usage Charge are implemented.
E. The City of Vista does not support inequitable tax policies that would result in drivers paying two forms of taxes.
2. Action.
A. The City of Vista supports the abolition of the California Gas Tax and the Federal Gas Tax; and
B. The City of Vista supports equitable tax policies to fund road maintenance and transportation infrastructure.
EXHIBIT 1
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RESOLUTION NO. 2023-
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA
PAGE 2
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on February 28, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK By: By:
APPROVED
Walter C.Chung
20230223104808
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