
Voice of the People Vote No on C
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By: Doug Wilson
Grand Terrace Resident
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The Grand Terrace City Council billed the September 24 meeting as the Second Presentation on Disincorporation. Before the meeting, the Council was careful to state that information on disincorporation was not provided because the Council supports disincorporation. For the most part, the LAFCO Officer simply repeated what was said in the April 30, 2013 City Council Special Meeting.
• There’s no statutory service level requirement for Grand Terrace to remain a City.
• Un-incorporation requires a 2/3rds voter majority.
• Un-incorporation doesn’t clear debt, affect contracts, or change bonds. (Only Bankruptcy does that). The County would invoke a tax on Grand Terrace property owners to pay remaining debt.
• Un-incorporation may mean less service.
• Un-incorporation puts Grand Terrace back as a County area. If Colton’s Sphere of Influence was expanded, Colton and Grand Terrace voters must vote to annex to Colton.
• Un-incorporation could mean formation of a Community Service District for limited services and long-term debt assumption.
• LAFCO’s 1978 Incorporation recommendation included reducing expenditures and deferring capital improvements, in addition to a 6% tax or similar funding. (RDA funded the shortfall for 35 years).
• Un-incorporation isn’t automatic or speedy. It’s lengthy and involved. It requires an Environmental Assessment.
Let’s examine how expenditures have been reduced over 30 years:
1983 2013
City Council 9,501 53,000 Increased by 5-1/2 times
City Manager 81,900 243,000 Increased by 3 times
City Clerk ------- 86,000 Added position
City Attorney 66,900 67,000 Same
Finance 55,135 331,000 Increased by 6 times
Engineering 16,728 146,000 Increased by 8-3/4 times
Non-Departmental 79,089 506,000 Increased by 6-1/2 times
Rental Inspection ------- 86,000 Added position
Police 209,918 2,000,000 Increased by 9-1/2 times
Enforcement Officer ------- 142,000 Added position
Parks 43,827 118,000 Increased by 2-3/4 times
Information Technology ------- 9,000 Added position
Planning 16,059 197,000 Increased 12-1/4 times
Building 31,261 132,000 Increased 4-1/4 times
610,318 4,196,000
On September 24, 2013 the Mayor said, “The City of Grand Terrace has been living for ‘free’ for 35 years.” Doesn’t feel like it. One thing is interesting:
#1 – Positions Added
Clerk $86,000
Rental Inspector $86,000
Enforcement Officer $142,000
Information Tech $89,000