April 25 City Council Agenda Summary: Considering New Taxes

Below is a summary of what is due to occur at this week's Council meeting. Santee Patch regularly livestreams video of Council meetings and reports on important happenings, so check back for the lowdown on the meeting.

The next  begins Wed., April 25, 2012 at 7 pm:

Presentation

A San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Boardmember will report on the Green Build Project, currently the largest construction project in East County, new air service and Gillespie Field developments.

Proclamations

• “Esther McCartney Day” on her 100th Birthday- Born in 1912, this Santee resident will turn 100 on May 3!

• Combat Ready Angry Bear’s Day on May 15- A group of students have been attending City Council meetings and learning more about how teens can get involved in politics and help the community. They hope this proclamation will help encourage Santeeans to be more active in the community.

• May is Drowning Prevention Month- Council is promoting Safe Kids San Diego and Santee Fire Department's water safety event at the on Saturday.

• Day on April 28- Check out this for more about the event

Continued Business

The Council will discuss draft materials for two tax/fee increase proposals that would appear on the upcoming November ballot. 

The first is the city's Trasient Occupancy Tax, which applies to guests of hotels, a raise from 6 to 10 percent is suggested in the draft.

Currently Santee has the lowest TOT in the county, 6 percent, versus a high of 13 percent in Solana Beach. The city estimates revenue of $116,300 from TOT this fiscal year. An increase in TOT tax rate would require a majority vote by the public.

Also under consideration is an increase in the rate of the City's special parcel tax for fire protection services (aka Fire Benefit Fee), in the draft materials the fee is increased by 50 percent.

This fee is currently $41 annually per "dwelling unit" and commercial and industrial units. It would rise to $61.50. The city estimates $923,000 in revenue from the fee this fiscal year. In order to increase the FBF a two-thirds super majority of the public would have to vote in favor.

Each measure would cost about $26,000 to $30,000 to put on the ballot.

New Business

The council is expected to accept a proposal from Waste Management of San Diego (WMSD) for solid waste and recyclables collection services. The council had previously put the city's collection services out to bid, and WMSD came back with a proposal with a better economic benefit for the city than Allied Waste Services. See details in the agenda packet.

Council will discuss amending the FY 2011-12 Budget to eliminate one full time secretary position and add . The secretary position has been recently vacated and the will save the city $21,000 annually.

The council is expected to approve immediate on Rancho Fanita Drive, waiving the requirement for competitive bidding, and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract to complete the necessary repairs of the storm drain pipe.

If you want to publicly comment on any topic, fill out a speaker slip at the beginning of the meeting.

For more detailed information see the full council agenda in the media box or download here.

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