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Home My WebLink About2016/05/17 Written Communication Item 10 WnTI�►� COVhVV��vI�l1�flDnJ �t�am � [� Sheree Kansas �bject FVJ: Ciry Council io decide whether to ask voters to reise taxes -----Original Message----- From: Karla Mendez On Behalf Of Pamela Bensoussan Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2016 9:26 AM To: Donna Norris Subject: f W: City Council to decide whether to ask voters to raise taxes Good morning Donna, I just wanted to forward to you, this Constituent email that we received from Brian Lightbody, the email is in regard to today's council meeting. Thankyou - Karla -----Original Message---- From: Brian Lightbody �ent: Monday, May 16, 2016 8:04 PM : Patricia Aguilar Cc: Leslie Wolf Branscomb; Mary Salas; Steve Miesen; Pamela Bensoussan;lohn McCann Subject: Re: City Council to decide whether to ask voters to raise taxes Dear Pat and Honorable Mayor and Council members, I appreciate the issues you face in having to fund infrastructure in much need of repair and maintenance. It is in some ways the reaping of not adequately funding infrastructure maintenance for the past number of years. Of course, the reasons given are due to a poorly performing economy over the past half dozen years. Now that things are looking up economically it seems time to play catch up. And you as elected leaders have to decide how to fund ihose projects. I have absolute opposition to tax increases for infrastructure capital projects with no mechanism to "guarantee" the funds will go for what their stated purpose would be. It is understood that is how the law is. There are ways to mitigate that restriction. A bond for infrastructure. LeYs discuss that with some questions I have. 1) What specific projects would the bond proceeds fund? 2) Are these projects fully vetted with a definite budget and Scope of Work established? 3) What happens when the costs increase over the years it will take to complete the projects? 4}When would these proj_=cis be scheduled? What fiscal period could the public see real results? 5) Will there be an "over sight committee" established to ensure the public gets what it is paying for in an �tfiical and efficient manner? I{those questions can be answered to not only my satisfaction but for the pubiic you might see a success(ul campaign. , - My best regards, Brian Brian Lightbody � 91911 - --- Lesiie Wolf Branscomb <LWolf(a�chulavistaca.ROV> wrote: Friends, We wanted to let you know that on Tuesday, May 17 the Chula Vista City Council will decide whether to put a measure on the November ballot asking voters to increase taxes in Chula Vista. The city manager is requesting that the Council approve a funding measure to be piaced on the November ballot to pay for improvements to the City's infrastructure. The funding measure could be either a general use sales tax or a bond. A general use sales tax requires approval by a simple majority of the voters, and cannot be restricted for infrastructure only. So even though the City Manager is recommending using the new funding for infrastructure if a sales tax measure passes, there is no way to guarantee it will be used for that purpose. A bond, on the other hand, can be restricted to pay for infrastructure only, but is more difficult to pass because passage requires approval by 2/3 of the voters, not just a simple majority. This item is #10 on Tuesday evening's agenda. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 276 Fourth Ave. A copy of the staff report for this item is attached. If you would like to see what happens but cannot attend the meeting, you can watch it online on your computer, tablet or smartphone, live or later, via the City Clerk's website, here: htto://www.chulavistaca.�ov/departments/mavor-council/council- meetinQ-a�enda City Council meetings can also be viewed live on television on Cox Cable Channel 24 (only in the City of Chula Vista) or on AT&T U-verse channel 99 (anywhere in San Diego County). I would be very interested in hearing your views on this matter, and I am sure the other councilmembers would as well. You can comment to me by replying to this message. The mayor and other councilmembers can be reached as follows: Mayor Mary Casillas Salas, msalasC�chulavistaca.�ov<mailto:msalas(�chulavistaca.�ov>; Deputy Mayor Steve Miesen, smiesen(a�chulavistaca.�ov<maiito:smiesen(o)chulavistaca.�ov>; Councilmember Pamela Bensoussan, pbensoussan(a�chulavistaca.aov<mailto:obensoussan(a�chulavistaca.zov>; Councilmember lohn McCann, imccann(�chulavistaca.�ov<mailto:imccann(alchulavistaca.�ov> Best wishes, Pat Aguilar, Councilmember City of Chula Vista z