Sentinel staff report–
Following the gradual rollout of a controversial, state-mandated organics recycling program (SB 1383), the Citrus Heights City Council on Thursday will consider voicing official opposition to such “inadequately funded state mandates.”
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A draft resolution included in the council’s March 24 agenda packet says “invariably state mandates result in raising new revenues or diverting existing funds away from local priorities with the same result of necessitating fee or tax increases.”
The resolution further states that “impacts from the rate increases associated with Senate Bill 1383 and other state mandates include increasing the cost of housing, pushing additional citizens to forgo necessities and into potential homelessness and poverty.”
The council will consider adopting the resolution during its March 24 meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
A full draft of the proposed resolution is included below:
PROPOSED RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CITRUS HEIGHTS,
CALIFORNIA, EXPRESSING OPPOSITION OF INADEQUATELY FUNDED STATE MANDATES
WHEREAS, the State of California, acting through the California legislature or through a state agency or executive order, may enact laws or promulgate rules that have the effect of imposing mandatory financial obligations upon California cities and counties and the communities they serve;
WHEREAS, the State of California enacts laws in an effort to achieve statewide goals;
WHEREAS, new laws and related regulations regularly necessitate that the City amend its ordinances and practices to be consistent with new regulations;
WHEREAS, these new laws and related regulations are not adequately vetted with implementing agencies in advance of adoption, do not provide adequate funding to offset the cost of providing mandatory programs and services, and often result in extensive unintended consequences;
WHEREAS, invariably state mandates result in raising new revenues or diverting existing funds away from local priorities with the same result of necessitating fee or tax increases;
WHEREAS, impacts from the rate increases associated with Senate Bill 1383 and other state mandates include increasing the cost of housing, pushing additional citizens to forgo necessities and into potential homelessness and poverty;
WHEREAS, SB 1383 is one example of a multitude of inadequately funded mandates that result in extensive impacts to local government and the communities they serve;
WHEREAS, forcing residents and businesses to bear the cost of mandates drives up the cost of living and business operating expenses regardless of the level of responsibility for the issue the mandate seeks to resolve.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ORDERED by the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights hereby formally opposes state mandates and associated rules, regulations and penalties that require local jurisdictions to raise rates and/or fees.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED AND ORDERED by the City Council of the City of Citrus Heights that the City requests that the state refrain from imposing any future mandatory governmental program on cities and counties, unless the state has fully funded and disbursed all necessary funds to operate the governmental program.
