TITLE
Adopt resolution providing for the filing of Primary and Rebuttal Arguments and setting rules for the filing of Written Arguments regarding a City Measure to be submitted at the March 3, 2020 Special Municipal Election; and
DISCUSSION
Pursuant to your request of November 12, 2019, this office has prepared and submits the above-described Resolutions for your consideration.
1) Resolution Calling for the Placement of a General Tax Measure on the Ballot of the March 3, 2020 Special Municipal Election: This Resolution presents a ballot question for submission to the qualified voters of the City of Long Beach relating to an ordinance amending Long Beach Municipal Code section 3.64.035, increasing the rate of the general purpose Transient Occupancy (Hotel) Tax from 6% to 7%.
At the November 12, 2019 City Council meeting, City management presented information that the City's ability to maintain services and infrastructure after the FY20 budget year is at significant risk, primarily because costs are continuing to increase faster than the City's limited general fund revenues. In addition to these shortfalls, staff described a significant backlog of unfunded infrastructure improvements, including capital improvement projects at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, a City asset. Finally, City staff presented information that there is minimal general fund support available for arts and culture organizations in the City.
Proposition 218 requires new and increased general taxes and extensions of general taxes to be voted on only at a regular general election at which members of the City Council are elected (November 2020), unless the City Council adopts a finding of emergency by a unanimous vote of the Council. The declaration of a fiscal emergency allows the City to bring the proposed tax measure to the voters at the March 3, 2020 election. Without such a unanimous declaration of a fiscal emergency, the City must wait until the next regular gener...
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