COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Counsel

DATE:

September 6, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 28, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Thomas F. Casey III, County Counsel

SUBJECT:

Correction of 2004 Property Tax Roll: APN 068-330-310, 3908 Bret Harte Drive, Redwood City

Recommendation

Approve a change to the 2004 Property Tax Roll, and corresponding property tax refund to Shinnyo-En USA, to reflect the granting of a welfare exemption for property located at 3908 Bret Harte Drive, Redwood City (the “Property”).

Background

The Property is owned by Shinnyo-En USA, which uses the property for religious purposes. This use qualifies for a welfare exemption from property taxation pursuant to section 214 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.

Discussion

While the owner acquired the Property in October 2003, it did not filed a welfare exemption application until April 15, 2004. The State Board of Equalization did not approve the application until June 23, 2004, too late for the granting of the exemption to be reflected on the 2004 Tax Roll.

As a result of the granting of the welfare exemption, the County’s property tax roll for 2004 should be corrected. Since the correction will result in a property tax decrease of $107,000 in the 2004 roll (and a corresponding property tax refund in this amount to the property owner), the approval of the Board of Supervisors is required.

Vision Alignment

The approval of this proposal will further commitments and assist in achieving goals set forth in the County’s Shared Vision 2010 report. Specifically, this proposal implements the commitments of providing “responsive, effective, and collaborative government.”

Fiscal Impact

The fiscal impact of this action is estimated to be a $112,467.70 decrease in the 2004 property tax roll. The County General Fund’s share of this decrease/refund is 14% of this amount (i.e., approximately $15,745.48).