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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - November 6, 1995 Page - 9 - NEW BUSINESS (continued) Council Member Loeffler said part of the budget process was the long- range growth of the community. DFSI were a barrier to business. The process has been open. The challenge is to make sure the business community gets on board from the beginning. He said the proposal is reasonable, and he has not received a lot of phone calls on the matter. He said those who have made allegations against the City Manager should provide facts or else not make comments in public. He said the proposal has been changed and it is a way of balancing the budget. Vice Mayor Kerr said he was on the Finance Committee. He said he continually advocated no new or increased taxes, fees, or adjustments. He said the budget was balanced with virtually no new fees except for three things. The Finance Committee's charge was to develop details of the business license fee. He said the latest revisions created a reasonable and equitable formula. He said business people recommend raising the base fee of the present formula and review of the budget to reduce costs. He said he does not disagree with the formula but feels business people need to be heard. He said he would vote against the increase. Council Member Polvorosa said he was on the Finance Committee, and they were concerned regarding the DFSI and wanted to make it easier for businesses to come into San Leandro. He said numerous meetings were held with the business community. He said any kind of tax is difficult for everyone, especially businesses. He said the Council is trying to tax the community fairly and equitably. Council Member Perry said the process has been going on since February 1995. The issue has always been how to fill the current funding gap, as well as future gaps. The State takeaways are very possible as the State looks at ways to balance its budget. She said this is an alternative to DFSI and keeps San Leandro competitive, with the lowest rate in the County. She said people want additional police officers in the industrial and retail areas, and the City must be able to pay for those services. She said increasing the employee base would impact 80% of businesses that would not be impacted by gross receipts. She said she sees no alternative. Council Member Galvan said he was concerned that something may come up that wasn't thought of. He said, at the least, fleet sales should be eliminated from the proposal . He proposed a committee consisting of City Council Members, the Chamber, and the Manufacturers' Association to find alternatives. He said the point of debate is the mechanism, and he would vote against the proposal .