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The Victoria

GAZETTE

OPEN FORUM AT COUNCIL MEETINGS

ONE OF MANY WAYS TO COMMUNICATE

Three residents spoke during the Open Forum of the May 28th council meeting.

Tom Funk of Acorn Circle said, in part, that he wanted to confirm that 90% of city taxes come from the homeowners. He spoke of a serious lack of transparency in the city council minutes. He commented on discrepancies in the cost estimates of the 8099 Bavaria Road property where the city hopes to build a new Public Works Facility. He said he'd like to see alternative sites for a City Hall and Public Works Facility. He was asked to get a written list of questions to City Manager Don Uram.

Peter O'Gorman of Gannon Way said, in part, that he's lived in Victoria about a year and he hardly has any information that's up to date. He said he wouldn't know anything about city business if he hadn't started attending city council meetings. He said there was no forum to voice citizen concerns. He said the city council minutes were not posted promptly. And he said it was an awful lot of money to be spending on city buildings, and bonding for them seems to be out of line.

Tim Amundsen of Woodland Hills Boulevard said, in part, "There is a responsibility that citizens have to get themselves educated. I'd like to see your vision for a new City Hall and new Public Works Building.

Said Mayor Tom O'Connor, "We're confronting a 30 to 40-year decision. We recognize that as a significant responsibility. I commit that you will have ample opportunity for input. At the same time, some information has to be more closely held."

ALREADY LOOKING AT 2014 BUDGET

VICTORIA HAS $40 MILLION INCREASE IN EMV

"It's budget season," said City Manager Don Uram on May 28th. He reported meeting with the Finance Committee in anticipation of the 2014 city budget. "There is a lot of interaction between the Finance Committee and Council for the budget," he said. "Tonight we want to solicit input from the Council."

Said Finance Director Kelly Grinnell, "We had good news from the County Assessor this spring. We had a $16 million increase in assessed value due to market change and $24 million increase in assessed value due to new construction. That's $40 million or a 4.14% increase over last year. It's good to turn the corner and have an increase. That means the levy can increase by $160,000 and still maintain the current tax rate of 39.55%."

In that regard, Kelly asked the Council, "Where would you like to go with the budget?" She said that each $100,000 change in levy means a $30 change in taxes paid on a median value home.

Councilmember Jim Crowley asked that council receive a range of home valuations and tax effects and not just median value homes.

Asked Councilmember Tom Strigel, "What would our tax rate be if we kept the levy flat?"

Kelly said it would go down to around 37.9 -- which is approximately what the tax rate was a couple years ago.

Stated Councilmember Joe Pavelko, "We should lower the tax rate, unless there's a really good reason to use the $160,000."

"I agree," said Councilmember Crowley.

Said Councilmember Lani Basa, "I'd be in agreement with keeping the levy flat."

Said Mayor Tom O'Connor, "I'm for keeping the tax rate as low as possible, remembering Don has said we're a growing city." Mr. Uram has spoken of the need to add staff and equipment in order to maintain existing service levels.

The first budget workshop of the year, for next year's budget, is scheduled for August 12th. The preliminary 2014 budget must be certified to the county by September 15th. All residents are invited to all workshops and council meetings. Said Mr. Uram, "The budget process is, by design, a public process."

According to information provided by the Finance Director, the 2013 estimated market value of Victoria is $1,018,308,500 -- which is about $18.3 million above the $1 billion mark. In 2012, the estimated market value of Victoria was just under $1 billion.

Charts show that residential value accounts for 95% of the pie.

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City Scoop Continued

June 2013