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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - October 16, 1995 Page - 8 - PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued) encourage growth through lower DFSI, keeping San Leandro's business license tax the lowest in Alameda County, providing funding for additional police officers, anticipation funds will be needed to continue to provide other services if sales tax revenue does not improve, and the need for fairness and equity among all business classes. He summarized the proposal , as revised since the September 18, 1995, City Council meeting. He said some businesses, such as TriNet and some auto dealers, have requested modifications to the fee schedule, and he has met with them and is working to incorporate their concerns into the ordinance. Susan McCue, Economic Development Coordinator, discussed what companies look for when relocating to or expanding in a community, including a fast and responsive planning process, central location, and a City attitude that welcomes business. She said all of these City of San Leandro attributes have been marketed, as well as the fact that the Business License Tax is the lowest in the County and will continue to be the lowest under the new proposal . Bob Maginnis, Police Chief, said a portion of the tax will be utilized to pay for new police officers hired as part of the Crime Bill . He said he runs a $12 million operation with 150 employees, and he must compete in the labor market just like private business. He said people have a right to know where their money is going. He noted that any increase in the Business License Tax appears dramatic because it is now so low. He said the employees of the City have given more than $300,000 a year back to the community, and it is now time for the business community to do its share. Mr. Jermanis said the City has been responsive to the business community's concerns, and San Leandro's tax will remain the lowest in the County. In response to Council questions, Mr. Jermanis discussed the total tax picture and the services provided by San Leandro which are not provided by other cities. He said the Business License Tax has not been increased since 1988. He said he talked to auto dealers about identifying a means of exempting certain types of sales such as fleet sales, and he will be working on a recommendation for the ordinance. He said, of the 15 auto dealers who signed Mr. Begier's petition, 10 small dealers would not be significantly affected by the gross receipts proposal . The Hearing was then opened to the public. Joel DeWitt, 1456 - 138th Avenue, spoke regarding the Dublin-San Ramon Services District proposal . He said there are empty stores on East 14th Street, and a fee increase is inappropriate at this time.