DATE: July 12, 2022
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Robert W. Bash, Director of Internal Services/Chief Information Officer
SUBJECT: Vote on City of Fresno Assessment Ballot
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Consider and take action on the City of Fresno Assessment Ballot for renewal of the Downtown Fresno Property and Business Assessment District, which will provide economic enhancements, clean and safe initiatives, Fulton Zone activation, and related management and administration to assessed parcels within its boundaries, including the levying of associated assessments ($711,134.47):
a. Cast vote in the affirmative (yes) to renew the Downtown Fresno Property and Business Assessment District;
b. Cast vote in the negative (no) to not renew the Downtown Fresno Property and Business Assessment District;
c. Abstain from voting the Downtown Fresno Property and Business Assessment District Ballots.
2. If Recommended Actions 1.a. or 1.b. are directed, authorize the Director of Internal Services/Chief Information Officer to execute the Ballot.
REPORT
On June 2, 2022, a notice of Public Hearing and Assessment Ballot was mailed to the property owners representing the parcels within the Downtown Fresno Property and Business Assessment District boundary area. The Assessment Ballots for the Downtown Fresno Property and Business Improvement District (District) list 17 County-owned properties. The Assessment Ballot calculates the County’s assessment as $62,032.62 for the first year. The renewed District will have a ten-year term, with assessments for County properties totaling $711,134.47 over the 10 years. This item pertains to locations within District 3.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Regardless of what action your Board takes, when the Assessment Ballots are tabulated at the public hearing on July 21, 2022 at 9:00 a.m., if the total ballots submitted in favor of the assessment exceed the ballots submitted in opposition of the assessment, with the ballots weighted according to the proportional financial obligation of each property, then the District will be renewed and the assessment will be imposed upon the County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The annual cost for each parcel varies based on four factors: parcel type, benefit zone, parcel size, and building size. The County owns 17 parcels within the boundaries of the District. The anticipated FY 2023-24 cost for the County-owned parcels is $62,032.62. The payment of this assessment is budgeted in the Internal Services Department - Facility Services Division (ISD-Facilities) Org 8935 and is incorporated in the rates to the users of the specific buildings being assessed. The assessment fees may increase, but are limited to not more than 3% increase annually. A breakdown of the assessed charges can be found on Attachment A.
DISCUSSION:
ISD-Facilities presented an item for direction regarding the signing of a petition to renew the District on June 22, 2021. Board direction was to cast an abstention vote and directed the Director of Internal Services/Chief Information Officer to abstain from signing the petition.
The Fresno City Clerk mailed a notice and ballots (weighted according to proportional financial obligations) to each property owner on June 2, 2022. Attachment A lists the County properties that are within the District’s boundary area.
At the July 21, 2022 Fresno City Council meeting, a public hearing will be conducted. Upon conclusion of the public hearing, ballots received will be tallied, and if no majority protests exist, i.e., if weighted ballots submitted in opposition do not exceed weighted ballots submitted in favor, then the City Council has direction to move forward with District renewal.
The District assessment transfers with the property and becomes the liability of any new property owner. If the County purchases any other property within the boundaries of the District, additional assessments will become the liability of the County.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #7, June 22, 2021
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Attachment A
On file with Clerk - Attachment B - Ballot Materials
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa