(July 22, 2008) -- LBReport.com has learned that Mayor Foster will tonight propose creating some type of citizen advisory group -- whose members will be chosen by City Hall (Mayor/Council) -- to discuss what infrastructure projects would be funded by a proposed parcel tax on LB properties whose revenue stream would support a $600 million debt bond.
LBReport.com learned of the proposal, and Mayor Foster described it for us, following his appearance (primary advocate and fielding Q & A) at a Town Hall meeting convened by 5th district Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and attended by roughly 100 people.
After LBReport.com reported [and several other LB media outlets misereported] that the originally proposed parcel tax unveiled by the Mayor/management on July 10 was a General fund parcel tax, not an infrastructure bond, and LBReport.com reported that the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Ass'n called this illegal, city officials hastily changed the parcel tax to specify infrastructure categories requiring a 2/3 vote.
However specific infrastructure projects -- including what, where and when -- still aren't consensed although a list has been proferred by city management and the Mayor. The Mayor and management have both said their list comes after much detail work and discussion on what's needed and possible fiscally...but taxpayers who'll be paying for the work haven't weighed in yet.
A decision on what to fund won't be decided until after the Council votes on whether to put the measure on the ballot tonight...and the ultimate decision on what projects to fund won't be made by a citizen advisory group but by the Council after voters vote on the proposed parcel tax.
No Council committees (chairs appointed by the Mayor) have held hearings on the now-pending proposal.
Also not yet public: the extent of cuts/service reductions/fee increases, if any, that management and the Mayor propose in a FY 09 City Hall spending budget...which won't be released until roughy August 1 (i.e. after tonight's Council vote).
Developing...on LBReport.com.
