HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-20 City Council (2)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY MANAGER
SEPTEMBER 20, 2004
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
CMR:414:04
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MEASURE I, THE
PALO ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PARCEL TAX
3
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution of support for the Palo Alto Unified
School District (PAUSD) parcel tax.
BACKGROUND
The Palo Alto Unified School District has experienced significant budget shortfalls as a
result of the continuing state budget problems, local economic circumstances, and
increasing enrollment. In response to these conditions, the District has proposed a parcel
tax, which is set for a vote by the citizens of Palo Alto on November 2, 2004.
DISCUSSION
The District is currently receiving supplemental funding ($293/year per parcel) from a
parcel tax measure that was approved in 2001. This parcel tax is scheduled to expire in
June 2006. This measure effectively extends the expiration date to 2012 and increases the
annual parcel tax to $521.
According to PAUSD information, the new parcel tax will be used to "maintain essential
educational programs and preserve academic performance." The District has already
gone through the process of reducing administrative positions wherever possible. Any
additional cuts to the District budget will most likely result in the degradation of Palo
Alto schools as they would affect the core of the schools educational objectives. The
successful passage of the parcel tax will help to prevent teacher layoffs and maintain the
high quality schools that Palo Alto desires.
CMR:414:04 Page 1 of 2
RESOURCE IMPACT
Passage of the proposed PAUSD parcel tax, as does the passage of any tax that has a
financial impact on Palo Alto residents and businesses, may affect future City revenue
raising proposals. For example, the City is preparing a proposed Storm Drain Fee increase
to improve its storm drainage system. Passage of a new fee will be dependent on the
ability of property owners to absorb the fee if the PAUSD parcel tax is approved.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This resolution is consistent with existing City policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This staff report does not represent a project under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution - PAUSD Parcel Tax
PREPARED BY:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
CHRIS
Assistant~to the City Man~
Assistant City Manager
CMR:414:04 Page 2 of 2
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALO ALTO IN SUPPORT OF_MEASURE I,THE PALO
ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PARCEL TAX
WHEREAS, the education Of our youth is vital to a
country’s future; and
WHEREAS, the Palo Alto Unified District’s ("the
District") Board of Education ("the Board") is committed to
offering a high quality education program to all students in the
District; and
WHEREAS, an adequately funded and well-developed
public education program provides numerous benefits and
advantages to all of the residents of Palo Alto; and
WHEREAS, key components to the District’s recognition
as being among the best in the nation include providing
excellent teachers and challenging programs, dedicated parents,
and support from our community which contributes to high student
achievement; and
WHEREAS, the District has been forced to eliminate and
curtail many essential educational services due to curren~
economic conditions, falling commercial property tax revenue
growth, and increasing enrollment and benefit costs; and
WHEREAS, the Board, knowing the uncertainty of state
funding, seeks to maintain stable resources to support our
schools in order to preserve a quality education for the
students of Palo Alto and has placed Measure I, a qualified
special tax, on the November 2004 ballot; and
WHEREAS, the passage of Measure I is necessary in
order to maintain a high quality education in Palo Alto schools,
avoid deeper cuts to classroom instruction, maintain manageable
class sizes, and preserve educational programs that attract the
best teachers and school employees, and enhance student
achievement in order to maximize learning by our community’s
children; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Palo Alto concurs
that a qualified special tax is necessary to provide a high
quality educational opportunity for the students of Palo Alto.
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NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto
does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION i. The Council supports the passage of Measure
I, the Palo Alto Unified School District Parcel Tax and
encourages the Palo Alto voters approve this measure on November
2, 2004.
SECTION 2. The Council finds that this is not a project
under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore,
no environmental impact assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
City Attorney City Manager
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