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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-03-09 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 9,1987 The special meeting of the City Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona,was held on March 9,1987,at the Four_Peaks:Elementary School :pursuant to the notice required by law. CALL TO ORDER Vice Mayor Bakkedahl called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmen Present:Councilman Burgess Councilwoman Taylor Councilwoman Gardner Councilman Baljo Councilman Eidson Vice Mayor Bakkedahl Councilman Absent:Mayor Hill Staff Present:City Manager Bill R.Da Vee City Clerk Kathleen Connelly City Attorney David Alexander Economic Development Specialist John Schoeph Others Present:approximately 325 people in attendance PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO.87-18,EXPRESSING INTENT TO ADOPT THE MODEL CITY TAX CODE AS RECOMMENDED BY LEAGUE OF ARIZONA CITIES AND TOWNS )Vice Mayor Bakkedahl called upon the City Manager to brief the Council on the resolution. City Manager Bill R.Da Vee explained that the purpose of Resolution No.87-18,and the intent,is the problems arising from Senate Bill 1349. Councilwoman Taylor MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO.18,A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,EXPRESSING INTENT TO ADOPT THE MODEL CITY TAX CODE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MODEL TAX CODE COMMITTEE AND THE LEAGUE OF ARIZONA CITIES AND TOWNS,BE APPROVED AND ADOPTED. Councilman Baljo seconded the motion. VOTE:Unanimous The motion carried. PROPOSED RESOLUTION NO.87-17,IDENTIFYING THE AREAS OF NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT CAUSED BY PINAL COUNTY PROPERTY TAX RATE AND URGING THE REDUCTION OR CONTAINMENT OF EXISTING RATES )Vice Mayor Bakkedahl introduced representatives from the School Board,Apache Junction Fire Board,City Council, COPY staff,and others.Vice Mayor Bakkedahl also -explained Resolution No.87-17 and read the title to the public. Vice Mayor Bakkedahl called on Mr.Frank Brant to speak. Mr.Frank Brant outlined the tax rate comparison with Maricopa County and Maricopa County cities in regards to Council adoption of resolution,public forums to explain the system, a task force to attend budget hearings,and County policy on new property tax levels. Mr.Mike Davis,Vice President of Economic Opportunities Action Team,outlined the problems caused by tax rates and recommended solutions. Dr.Bill Wright,pledged to review the school district tax rate and challenged other taxing bodies to do the same. Ms Dot Wakefield,Central Arizona College Board member,introduced Dennis Jenkins,CAC Board Vice President and John Niebling,CAC Dean. Mr.Dennis Jenkins stated that CAC has reduced tax rate over the past three years and explained how tax rates are determined. Mr.Glenn Stout spoke on tax rates and asked support of the Council and public. Karam addressed the issue of tax rates. Pinal County Supervisor Jimmy Pinal County Supervisor Dean Weatherly also addressed the tax rate issue,and explained the reasons for rates, such as the copper industry failure and lower rates for centrally assessed properties such as mines,railroads,etc.,and also stated that Maricopa County runs the state. Mr.Dan Bartos,a resident of Queen Creek,addressed the Council in criticism of Paul Larkin and asked for an explanation of monies collected by the County. Mr.Harold Christ encouraged the City Council to continue to work on the tax rates and to consider forming a new county,to be annexed by Maricopa County,as economic development won't occur with the current tax rate. Mr.Brant addressed the County Supervisors and pointed out differences in tax rates between counties,and also pointed out that the tax burden is carried by home owners and businesses. Ms Marge Lobo compared tax bills over the years,stafing that there has been a $440 increase in four years. Ms Grace Cicero spoke on tax rates as compared to Maricopa County tax rates. Ms Marie Shanks questioned the purpose of personal property tax assessed on business owners. Mr.Karam suggested that the Council adopt the resolution and pointed out the flaws of forming a separate county,that Pinal County has 97,000 parcels to tax and Maricopa County has 970,000 parcels to tax,and also urged people to get involved in budgetary. proceses as the complete picture needs to be looked at.Mr.Karam promised to reduce taxes i f i t is possible. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 9,1987 PAGE THO COPY -Mr.Weatherly urged people to meet with him in Florence where the records are kept,also explaining the many community services provided such as;health care,law enforcement;jails. State Representative Roy Hudson explained that the state tax rate on property also applies for state admini- stration costs,industry needed to reduce rates,and offset rates assessed to mines and railroads. Mr.Frank Gardner spoke on personal property taxes on businesses and lower taxes. Ms Doris Taylor pointed out discrepencies in statements and called full disclosure on tax rates and asked for representation at state level. reform similar to California. Mr.Ernie Perkins suggested tax Councilwoman Gardner MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO.87-17,BE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:TO URGE REDUCTION (DELETE "OR CONTAINMENT"). Councilman Baljo seconded the motion. VOTE:Unanimous The motion carried. Councilman Baljo MOVED THAT RESOLUTION NO.87-17,A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA,IDENTIFYING THE AREA'S OF NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT CAUSED BY PINAL COUNTY PROPERTY TAX RATES,AND URGING THE REDUCTION OF CURRENT PROPERTY TAX RATES,BE APPROVED AND ADOPTED.; Councilman Eidson seconded the motion as amended. VOTE:Unanimous The motion carried. Councilman Eidson spoke on property and business taxes. Councilman Baljo asked that copies be sent to taxing bodies,Casa Grande,and others. Councilman Eidson MOVED THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED AT. 9:05 P.M the motion. VOTE:Unanimous The motion carried. Coucnilwoman Taylor seconded ACCEPTED THIS 2ND DAY OF JUNE ,1987,BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,ARIZONA. NORMAN S.HILL Mayor SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 9,1987 PAGE THREE ATTEST: KATHLEEN CONNELLY City Clerk SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 9,1987 PAGE FOUR COPY