Voice of the People: Vote No on “C”

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