Score: +16
(16/1/0)
Ventura County Grand Jury
• 2007-2008
9-1-1 Fees for City of Ventura “. . . in the reasonable judgment of the City Council . . .” (City of Ventura
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 33 findings
F01
The Belknap 2003 Study stated: Looking at police and fire together, it is apparent that spending and staffing levels are somewhat below the level observed in comparison cities. [Ref-01]
No recommendations for this finding
F02
The Belknap 2003 Study further stated: Projections indicate that police and fire costs for baseline (existing) service levels will outstrip expected General Fund growth. The above factor will force significant reductions in other General Fund services. [Ref-01]
No recommendations for this finding
F03
The Belknap 2003 Study was updated in 2007 and reported increased Fire Department expenditures per 1,000 residents. The City had increased its percent of peer city expenditures from 80.5% to 93.2% of average. [Ref-01, Ref-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F04
The Belknap 2007 Study also reported increased Ventura City Police Department (VCPD) expenditures per 1,000 residents. The City had increased its percent of peer city expenditures from 85.6% to 89.9% of average. [Ref-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F05
VCPD FY2005-2006 expenditures per 1,000 residents exceeded that of Oxnard, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks police Departments. [Ref-02]
No recommendations for this finding
F06
On November 5, 2007, VCC directed staff to provide recommendations to generate additional revenues for meeting a goal of adding public- safety staffing to improve emergency response. [Ref-03]
No recommendations for this finding
F07
Revenue recommendation options included a parcel tax assessment, a real estate transfer tax, and a transient occupancy tax increase. All tax increases require voter approval. [Ref-03]
No recommendations for this finding
F08
VCC Agenda Item 9 dated December 10, 2007 states: A ballot measure for a local quarter cent sales tax went to Ventura Voters in November 2006 to add 14 additional police officers and 9 firefighter/paramedics. This fell short of the needed two-thirds vote for a special tax, with 62% voting yes. [Ref-03]
No recommendations for this finding
F09
The State of California 9-1-1 tax currently included on telephone bills is for capital equipment; the City’s fee is for operations as well as capital equipment. The City does not currently receive 9-1-1 funds from the State of California.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The Ventura City Manager presented revenue recommendation options to the VCC in December 2007. The VCC chose to pursue a 9-1-1 fee.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The following chart is a comparison of the City’s revenue sources and comparable statewide averages before the Fee was enacted. [Ref-02] Belknap 2007 Study Update Revenue Statewide Averages City of Ventura Taxes 32.2% 40.86% Service Charges 38.5% 30.93% Financing Sources 5.6% 10.97% Intergovernmental Agencies 11.8% 8.07% Other 11.9% 9.17% TOTAL 100% 100%
No recommendations for this finding
F12
In February of 2008, VCC adopted a Fee ordinance providing for recovery of costs associated with the ECC.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
This Fee ordinance had no provision to annually allow phone subscribers to change their pay option.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Negative public reaction to the proposed 9-1-1 fee was expressed at VCC meetings as well as reported in newspaper articles.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Options for paying the fee are $1.49 per month per non-Lifeline phone or $17.88 for each 9-1-1 call after a free first call. [Ref-05]
No recommendations for this finding
F16
An estimate of 28,000 Lifeline (discounted telephone service available to eligible low-income residential subscribers) was used in the formula to calculate the $1.49 fee. [Ref-05]
No recommendations for this finding
F17
An estimate of 158,000 phone lines was used in the formula to calculate the $1.49 fee. [Ref-05]
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The monthly fee was calculated by utilizing the FY2007-2008 budgeted cost of $3,315,186 to provide police, firefighters/paramedics, medical call answering, and dispatching services to the ECC: • divide that amount by the estimated number of applicable, non- Lifeline subscribers (158,000) within the City • that amount was then multiplied by an estimated recovery rate of 85%. [Ref-05]
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The 85% recovery rate multiplier used to calculate the $1.49 fee is an estimate of the percentage of total ECC costs that would be recovered if fees for all 158,000 lines were paid on a monthly basis. [Ref-05]
No recommendations for this finding
F20
The 85% recovery rate multiplier is an arbitrary factor which can be changed by resolution of the VCC.
No recommendations for this finding
F21
More than 27,000 phone numbers were registered for the per-call option by the May 6, 2008 deadline. [Ref-08]
No recommendations for this finding
F22
“The amount of the Fee shall be established from time to time by Resolution of the City Council.” “The Resolution shall not establish the Fee at a rate higher than that which, in the reasonable judgment of the City Council, is necessary to fund anticipated Eligible Costs.” [Ref-05]
Related Recommendations (1)
R01
The VCC should modify the Fee Ordinance to restrict fee increases to no more than the change in the Consumer Price Index. (C-01, C-02)
F23
The Technical Amendments to the Fee Ordinance state: The Service Fee imposed by the provisions of this Chapter is intended solely to provide revenue for defined eligible costs of service. The City Treasurer shall deposit all revenues collected pursuant to this Chapter into the 911 Communications System fund established by Section 4.225.080. [Ref-07]
No recommendations for this finding
F24
The Fee Ordinance allows fees to be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. [Ref-05]
Related Recommendations (1)
R01
The VCC should modify the Fee Ordinance to restrict fee increases to no more than the change in the Consumer Price Index. (C-01, C-02)
F25
Telephone service providers are allowed to retain up to 1/8 of one- percent of collected fees from each subscriber. [Ref-05]
No recommendations for this finding
F26
When interviewed, VCC members and staff did not know how new phone subscribers would be notified of the Fee or if Fee Plans would be made available.
No recommendations for this finding
F27
Subsequent to VCC members and staff interviews, and after incorporation of Technical Amendments to the Fee Ordinance, enrolled phone subscribers will have 14 days annually from May 1 to May 15 to change their fee plan. Subscribers must notify the City Treasurer in writing on a form provided by the City. [Ref-07]
Related Recommendations (1)
R03
The VCC should notify phone subscribers annually via U.S. Mail of their right to change payment options. (C-04, C-06)
F28
New subscribers, and current subscribers adding a phone line or changing providers, have 30 days to enroll in the per-call alternative. Subscribers must notify the City Treasurer in writing on a form provided by the City. [Ref-07]
Related Recommendations (1)
R02
The VCC should notify all subscribers via U.S. Mail, who are adding a phone line or changing phone providers, of their right to choose an alternative payment option. (C-04, C-06)
F29
A $2.0 million portion of the City’s FY2007-2008 projected $4.3 million deficit is attributed to a decrease in projected sales tax. [Ref-06]
No recommendations for this finding
F30
VCC Agenda Item 9, dated December 10, 2007 states that this year, (FY2007-2008) $1.2 million in property tax growth (due to rising home prices and increased sales) was earmarked to add six police officers and three firefighters with the goal of gradually finding additional funding in future years to meet the public safety staffing shortage. [Ref-03]
No recommendations for this finding
F31
Subsequent to approval of the May 12, 2008 amended Fee Ordinance, the City authorized the hiring of six additional police officers and three additional firefighters, contingent upon the demonstration over several months that revenues are sufficient to cover costs.
Related Recommendations (1)
R04
The VCC should refrain from hiring additional police and firefighters until it is demonstrated that Fee revenue is adequate and sustainable. (C-01, C-03, C-05) Responses Responses Required: City Council, City of Ventura (R-01 through R-04) Responses Requested: City Manager, City of Ventura (R-01 through R-04) References Ref-01 Belknap 2003 Study, “Funding for Public Safety, Streets & Parks,” September 2003 Ref-02 Belknap 2007 Study Update, “Update of 2003 Peer City Comparison,” June 5, 2007 Ref-03 Agenda Item 9, Ventura Council Action date: December 10, 2007 Ref-04 Administrative Report “Public Safety Funding Mechanisms,” dated December 4, 2007 Ref-05 Administrative Report “Emergency Communications System Service Fee Resolution,” dated February 21, 2008 Ref-06 Administrative Report “ FY2008-2009 PROPOSED BUDGET – NEXT STEPS,” dated May 1, 2008 Ref-07 City Attorney Legal Report, “Technical Amendments to 911 Fee Ordinance,” May 12, 2008 Ref-08 Ventura Star Newspaper, “Ventura won’t extend time to opt out of 911 fee,” May 14, 2008
F32
The City Administrative Report dated May 1, 2008 presented a package of changes that would close the FY2008-2009 projected $4.3 million deficit. [Ref-06]
No recommendations for this finding
F33
Effective October 1, 2008, the VCPD will receive a negotiated pay increase up to 12% with an annual estimated cost of $1.2 million. Conclusions C-01. The $1.49 monthly fee charged to subscribers is arbitrary. It is based on estimates unrelated to the recovery of anticipated $3.3 million in the ECC operating costs. The estimates used to calculate the Fee can be changed “. . . from time to time by Resolution of the City Council.” [Ref- 05] (F-13, F-17 through F-22, F-24) C-02. The primary purpose for implementing the Fee is the recovery of the ECC costs. The current $1.49 monthly fee can be substantially increased to provide full funding of all eligible costs. The VCC may increase the Fee as “. . . necessary to fund anticipated Eligible Costs.” [Ref-05] (F- 13, F-18, F-22 through F-24) C-03. Fee revenues are intended to add police and firefighters rather than reducing the FY2008-2009 $4.3 million estimated deficit. (F-23, F-30,
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 5C-01. The $1.49 monthly fee charged to subscribers is arbitrary. It is based on estimates unrelated to the recovery of anticipated $3.3 million in the ECC operating costs. The estimates used to calculate the Fee can be changed “. . . from time to time by Resolution of the City Council.” [Ref- 05] (F-13, F-17 through F-22, F-24) C-02. The primary purpose for implementing the Fee is the recovery of the ECC costs. The current $1.49 monthly fee can be substantially increased to provide full funding of all eligible costs. The VCC may increase the Fee as “. . . necessary to fund anticipated Eligible Costs.” [Ref-05] (F- 13, F-18, F-22 through F-24) C-03. Fee revenues are intended to add police and firefighters rather than reducing the FY2008-2009 $4.3 million estimated deficit. (F-23, F-30, F-31) C-04. No provision was included in the Fee Ordinance, as originally adopted, to annually notify current or new subscribers of their right to change enrollment choices. With the revised ordinance, subscribers are now burdened with the responsibility of notifying the City Treasurer in writing on a form provided by the City during a 14-day enrollment period. New subscribers and those who change service providers will have 30 days to notify the City Treasurer in writing on a form provided by the City before they are automatically charged. (F-14, F-26 through F-29) C-05. The hiring of six additional police officers and three additional firefighters for FY2008-2009, under the VCC adopted Fee Ordinance, has been deferred due to uncertainty of the revenue. (F-23, F-31) C-06. The public was ineffectively informed by the VCC that additional revenues were intended to improve public safety rather than improving the existing 9-1-1 service. (F-02, F-06 through F-08, F-10 through F-12)
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.