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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO City Council Finance Committee Meeting City Manager's Large Conference Room January 27, 1997 (3:30 p.m.) MEETING SUMMARY I. Effects of Proposition 218 Impacts (Grycz) Wandzia Grycz, Interim City Manager, highlighted several services that will be impacted financially by Proposition 218, which included the EMS/Supplemental Paramedic Program, Storm Water Utility and the Business License Tax. Wandzia Grycz informed the Finance Committee that there will be two measures (one from the City and the other from the County) on the ballot that will deal with EMS services. She stated a concern that there is not enough time to educate the public regarding the differences between the two measures. If the voters turn down both measures, the County would not be able to subsidize paramedic nor trauma units and the City would have to pay $340,000 to supplement these services. It is anticipated that the Alameda County fire fighters will help campaign to get both measures passed. John Jermanis stated that one of the fundamental problems with Proposition 218 is that it has a retroactive element to it. Taxes that are currently being collected for services could be voted out which could stop the resources necessary to continue those services currently in place. In addition, there is a concern that there will be so many tax measures on the ballot that the voters will be confused. The Finance Committee agreed that it is not always clear to the public what services are supported through particular taxes. It was suggested that staff explain the services supported by taxes in order to increase the community's awareness of the need for particular taxes. John Jermanis stated that the public needs to understand that the City is not raising taxes, but instead getting confirmation for existing taxes. The Finance Committee requested a list of all taxes and the services supported by each tax. v