(August 27, 2008) -- As previously reported by LBReport.com, City Hall's proposed property parcel tax (Measure I) would let City Hall control over how to allocate the infrastructure tax proceeds. The tax money could be spent unequally, disproportionately benefiting a politically favored part of town while shortchanging others, a decision left to a Council majority.
On August 26, LB taxpayers got what may be an unplanned preview of how City Hall would allocate money under its proposed parcel tax measure...when he City Council held a budget workshop to discuss city management's proposed FY 09 "Capital Improvement Projects" (infrastructure). LBReport.com provides below city management's proposed allocations for street rehabilitation.
Although the sums aren't all General Fund (large chunks are from Redevelopment (continues to be raided for infrastructure), grants, state Propositions and the like) but the net dollar amounts indicated for the various Council districts in FY 09 are as shown by city management.
To view these sums, click here.
Councilmembers Rae Gabelich and Gerrie Schipske cited the disparity in funding, called it unfair and sought greater parity. City management said the funding process begins initially with a computer program that indicates where need is greatest; then possibly conflicting actions (such as Water department scheduling improvements) are factored in; the net effect is a snapshot in time with some projects spanning several years (with different amounts being spent from planning to construction) and some project funding is restricted by bond measures or federal funding (for certain streets), management said.
Council comments defending the allocations included:
- Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal: "It's very hard to come up with a definition of fair. I think as everybody has talked there's been a slightly different definition. I certainly think for example that Councilmember Schipske is right; her area is probably five times the size of mine. On the other hand, mine is the oldest in the city and so it's crumbling more quickly. I don't know what the definition is. I do believe that it's important to rehabilitate the entire city and it's in our best interest to look at all of it. I certainly accept what I see here. I don't want to be 1st district-centric and not be supportive of what the needs are in the other districts...Fair is very, very difficult to define and we just clearly need more money..."
- Vice Mayor Val Lerch: "Let's remember we are one city, you guys."
- Councilman Gary DeLong: "I think it is one city and the needs are different across the city...we need to do what's best for everybody and support that..."
Voters in Council districts 3, 4, 5 and 8 may have the last word on this in November...when they decide whether to hand a parcel property tax to a City Hall willing to rationalize disproportionate diversions of infrastructure money to politically favored areas.
