It’s important for voters to know the facts prior to signing petitions. Californians have been bombarded with petitions. The “Right to Know and Vote” petition would require that Signal Hill voters approve all City fees, taxes, assessments and bonds. Other than the catchy title, there are major problems with the petition.
The City’s charter requires that the City follow all State laws when considering increasing taxes, assessments, fees and bonds. Protections exist in California’s Constitution requiring votes on property taxes, sales taxes and special taxes. Users approve increases in water, trash and sewer rates. This petition would remove Section 906.1 of the City Charter, effectively supplanting State law. For example:
• Signal Hill voters would be required to approve any and all proposed fee increases, like library cards, bicycle licenses or restaurant inspections
• The petition freezes, and then expires, all City fees in 10 years
• Each election will cost an estimated at $30,000.
The petition would subject all fees, taxes, assessments and bonds to a supermajority, two-thirds vote. The petitioners downplay this for obvious reasons. It would take away local control from property owners in California Crown to annually set their landscape maintenance fees, subjecting them to a two-thirds vote of the entire City electorate. It would take away the authority of the police chief and city council to establish reasonable fees for services.
The city attorney has pointed out some of these defects to the proponents of the measure and has suggested corrections, but they have chosen not to make any changes.
We are being told by residents that the petitioners are saying the City is planning on raising property taxes so people need to sign the petition. If the petitioners are saying this, they are misleading the residents. There are no planned increases, property assessments or fees, or any utility taxes or other taxes being contemplated. In fact, the City is prohibited from raising property taxes by Proposition 13. Any other new or increased assessments, fee and taxes already require an election under Proposition 218. Our City budget is balanced, and we are living within our means.
The city council carefully considers any increases because we live here and pay them. The City has worked hard to control municipal costs, to continue to provide superior municipal services and to keep all fees, taxes and assessments reasonable. We believe that our voters and property owners are fully protected by Propositions 13 and 218.
We urge you to carefully consider the facts if asked to sign the petition. Copies of the entire petition and the City’s Charter can be obtained at City Hall and on the City’s website, cityofsignalhill.org. You can also call (562) 989-7305 for additional information.
Tina L. Hansen
Mayor
