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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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DATE:
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June 20, 2007
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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June 26, 2007
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson
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SUBJECT:
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Resolution Urging the San Mateo County Tax Collector to Place the City of East Palo Alto’s Special Tax For Crime Prevention and Law Enforcement Programs on the Tax Bill
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve a resolution urging the San Mateo County Tax Collector to place the City of East Palo Alto’s special tax for crime prevention and law enforcement programs on the tax bill.
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all; Responsive, effective, and collaborative government.
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Goal(s): 7, 22. The resolution will further the goals of maintaining and enhancing the public safety of all residents and visitors, and facilitating effective communication and collaboration between County and local governments.
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BACKGROUND:
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On November 7, 2006, 67.7% of the voters of East Palo Alto approved “Measure C,” an ordinance also known as “The City Council-sponsored Crime-Fighting Act of 2007.” The ordinance authorized the collection of a special parcel tax from 2007 through 2017 with the collected monies to be allocated equally between youth and community crime prevention programs and neighborhood law enforcement programs.
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Although Measure C called for the collection of the special tax by the San Mateo County Tax Collector “in the same manner as the County’s collection of property taxes for the City,” the ordinance also specified that such taxes would not be a lien and further imposed annual penalties and interest in excess of 25% for non-payment of such taxes. As a result, the San Mateo County Tax Collector has expressed reservation concerning the collection of the taxes imposed by Measure C insofar as state law provides that such taxes automatically create a lien on property and limit interest on such unpaid taxes at 10%.
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DISCUSSION:
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Measure C, as approved by the voters of East Palo Alto, authorized the City Council to amend the ordinance, with exception of the tax rates, and to promulgate such additional ordinances and resolutions as it may deem necessary to implement the ordinance. The City of East Palo Alto has indicated its willingness to make appropriate amendments to Measure C in order to address the San Mateo County Tax Collector’s concerns.
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Upon the City of East Palo Alto’s adoption of amendments necessary to bring Measure C in conformity with state law, it is desired that the Board approve resolutions urging the San Mateo County Tax Collector to implement the collection of the special tax authorized by Measure C by placing said tax on the County’s tax bill. Placement of the special tax on the tax bill will assure timely collection of the taxes and implement the will of the East Palo Alto voters in raising additional monies to prevent crime and to support neighborhood law enforcement efforts.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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None anticipated.
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cc: John Maltbie, County Manager
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