I’m sure many of you have seen the latest round of mailers saying unless the voters pass a sales tax measure in November, then the City of Concord will be forced to cut vital services.
Concord City Council candidate Edi Birsan emailed City Manager Dan Keen, and asked how many mailers were sent out, and how much the city paid to have them printed and distributed.
Below are the answers Dan Keen gave to Edi Birsan….
1. How many were mailed out? Response: 24,203
2. What was the cost in postage and the cost of preparation? Response: Total postage cost was $5,185. Supplies, labor and printing cost was $2,448.
3. How many more are planned? Response: None at this time.
The measure, which would need a 50% +1 vote to pass, would increase the tax on retail taxable goods, but not groceries, utility bills, medications or mortgages. However, it will increase the tax on automobiles purchased in Concord, but only if you register the vehicle within the Concord city limits.
If passed by the voters in November, the tax will last for the next five years, and will help close the City of Concord’s $5-million budget deficit.
{ 89 comments }
My shopping at Trader Joes is exempt.
My gas for my autos will cost me more.
My Papa Murphy’s pizza will cost me more
My shopping at CVS will cost me more
My clothing shopping will cost me more
Any restaurant will cost me more
Any large ticket items I buy at Direct Buy in Concord will cost me more.
My alcohol will cost me more
Will my BART ticket cost me more if I buy the ticket in Concord?
I say we put a salary freeze on the city employees wages, freeze overtime pay and revamp their medical , retirement package
Well … If they didn’t give Large amounts of money to retiring city “Officials” and budgeted better, they wouldn’t have such a Large amount of money needed to make the budget!!! I thought that this was pretty much cleared up by the renegotiations with city services Unions?
Edi; One more question. Did they “target” which neighborhoods to mail these to?
“I say we put a salary freeze on the city employees wages, freeze overtime pay and revamp their medical , retirement package”
NEVER will happen– they are stronger than you will ever be & they like it the way it is… deal with it
Hard to vote for an increase when the City of Concord gives away tens of thousands of dollars to folks who are leaving their job.
While I understand that people don’t think government should cost much – as long as all of the services are still done to their satisfaction – the reality is that yeah – if you don’t have the money to pay for it – things don’t get done and then people start whining about declining services.
Gee I better buy that car in Concord this month then….otherwise I’ll be going to one of the neighboring cities to purchase the car I want if that passes! I would think all the Concord car dealerships and retailers would be lobbying against this. We’ll just be sending all the customers to other cities and the city of Concord will end up never making the money they hoped for from the taxes ’cause no one will want to buy in Concord anymore!
Another Tax to supplement services?….Ill take the lack of service (basiclly calling the citys bluff) ….It is time for less government….Not more….The Demos want to tax you to death so they can give it away…Dont stand for it…VOTE NO ON Q
The budget department which publishes the 10 year budget – FAIL
Ok, I’m not thrilled about this either, but let’s be real. California and most of it’s cities are in the crapper, financially. Concord is no different. I will vote YES because I do not see any other alternatives and I have yet to see Edi come up with any viable solutions. I also put public safety on the forefront of importance in this city. I doubt this HALF CENT sales tax increase is going to bankrupt anyone. It is what it is. What I do see is Edi continuing with his typical style of getting everyone all worked up. If it’s that bad go live in Pleasant Hill…Oh wait, they are asking for a UTILITY TAX INCREASE, which will effect EVERYONE.
Thank GOD we have a Reserve Fund in which to draw from during these dire times, but those funds are being depleted. You can bet these funds will be monitored by our citizens to make sure these funds go to the proposed places. Until then, anyone got any better solutions??? That’s what I thought
Another thing, I wasn’t happy to see a 90K payout either BUT the alternative is we, the taxpayers, could STILL be contributing to Mr. Forsberg’s annual salary + Benefits, costing us $1 Million + until his previously considered retirement. At least we are SAVING this money (Big Money) over the long run.
In these very bleak times we can look at the glass half full or look at it half empty. It seems like Edi et al prefer to look at the situation as half empty.
Good Day
Shop Vacaville! This passes-we will be!
Sofa King, I would disagree with your blanket statement ” ..but let’s be real. California and most of it’s cities are in the crapper, financially. Concord is no different”.
Sure, Bell, CA, Vallejo, CA, Oakland, CA, San Francisco, CA have been in the news, but Bell is just in the news for the salary issue.
Mr. Mayor posted an story about Walnut Creek, but it was not about taxes, just (alleged) cutting of services.
Just scanned the minutes from the City of Martinez and can find no “sky is falling” messages being sent out to their citizenry
If you own a business, and costs exceed revenues, you cut COSTS first and figure out ways to raise new revenues, but it should be simultaneous.
Don’t ask me to supply your revenues without first showing me you have viable plans to cut costs.
This is really close to using public funds for political purposes. How do they get around those rules?
I wish some bright mind would come up with a game, ala Monopoly, where people could manage the economy of a city/state/country. (I’ve never played SimCity, so I don’t know if it’s what I’m thinking of, but maybe.)
People could try their favorite idea for taxing (or not tax), could hire public employees or privatize everything, fully fund public schools or have vouchers for private schools, etc., and see (virtually) how it all works out.
The way things are now, we never really get to see if one system or way of doing things is really better than the other because one plan is never fully and completely implemented; it’s always a compromise, a blend of competing ideologies, which precludes knowing how (or if) the “real thing” would work.
If there is a game already, please let me know, I’d like to play it. And maybe we could get everyone in Concord playing it, kind of like The Big Read.
Good question: which 24k households were targeted?
My parents got one (Turtle creek) but I didn’t (Meadow Homes).
I was going over my budget and found a way to offset my increased health insurance! If this ‘tax’ passes, just don’t shop in Concord! I spend a lot in groceries at Trader Joes which are only in Concord but isn’t a problem because they are exempt. But the rest of my consumables and ‘luxury’ purchases (which is mostly computer stuff) add up.
I’ll save the insurance increase and some by shopping in WC/PH and over the internet.
Screw you, City of Concord (mis)Management!
There is no guarantee that the tax revenue will be used for “public saftey” or to “save services”………..These monies, like all sales tax revenues, will be deposited into the cities general fund and used at the cities discretion. At that point they can spend it any way they want…..like maybe another big “bonus” for a lousy manager.
#11: VERY well put. I don’t want to give the gov. more of my money because they say they will cut back. They won’t. Lets hear the plan to cut back, then MAYBE I’ll entertain the raise. Also, I work at a car dealership, and I honestly think the tax here would cause a LOT of people to go give there sales tax dollars to Walnut Creek, and I could actually see the city generating less revenue. Most of the dealerships that we have they also have in WC, and its not much of an inconvenience to most to go there to buy there car. But… I’m not an elected city official.
yeah sure, squeeze my wallet some more.
It is hard to vote yes on this if you see so much waste. Not the answer in my opinion. New council with frugal ideas are the answer here.
I’d like to know how much it cost the census bureau to send out letters letting people know that they are sending out questionaires a week later.
@ Sofa King
Possibly you missed something along the way,
when they closed the Monument Substation to save 38,000 I got up and objected and said that we could pay for it out by raising the Golf Fees 71 cents. They did not listen.
You may have also missed that when the city went to spend 24-50 Thousand dollars earlier this year on what amounted to nothing more than a push poll, I objected and said we should first go through the web sites, Concordian and the Workships as well as our own poll rather than spend the money. They did not listen.
These are just two examples. So please do not think I have not given alternatives, and remember that NO is also an alternative.
Further on the question of what could have been done about Fosberg he could have been fired/laid off years ago. How many of the restructuring that was done could have been done years ago?
As for the question on how they picked the target of the flyer. I suspect that it was done on the basis of:
1. Households so you sent one even if there were 3 voters there
2. Registered voters
3. probably but guessing active voters (having voted in the 2008 Presidential election).
@ Sofa King,
by the way, I am more than willing to come over to your place and talk you about things. Write to me
Ed@EdBirsan.com
or check out the web site
http://www.EdBirsan.com
Yup, Mr. Mouse, that’s like asking someone to separate the eggs and milk from a cake after it’s been baked. Like most politician’s ideas, a “Citizen’s oversight committee” is half-baked, just for show, and designed to make us feel all warm and fuzzy about higher taxes!
Seeing how there is no public safety fund, just how do we know where the taxes go once they are aggregated into the general fund … That Keen is a slick ONE!
Garcia (#16), it doesn’t matter where people buy the car. I could buy a car in Los Angeles, but if I live in Concord then the sales tax will go to Concord. So, don’t worry, a sales tax increase in Concord is not going to affect your dealership’s sales — the double-dipping of the recession, on the other hand, will.
Bosco (#18), the Census Bureau is a Federal agency, not a city agency, so what they spent on the Constitutionally-required census has nothing to do with spending by Concord.
I’d like to know which city services people want cut. The Fosberg debacle is over (irritating though it definitely was) — what do you want cut NOW? Okay, no more spending on polls — agreed. What will we cut now? And if we can’t find anything else to cut, and the city has services that we really do need (even mundane things like waste treatment and traffic lights), where do we get the money?
Let’s stop bitching about what has happened and start thinking about what we want to happen in the future.
Edi, for the record, what is your stance on public safety in Concord? I don’t give a rat’s ass about keeping the substations open. What good do they do anyway? I would rather close a substation than lay off a cop. Would you??
The substation’s are staffed by non-sworn personnel and there are substantial costs with rent, utilities, personnel and other expenses that are NOT ESSENTIAL to EMERGENCY Public Safety.
Original Anon E Mouse
If you are addressing me in comment #21 it is MS. MOUSE not Mr Mouse!!!!!!
I got the mailer and I live off Toyon (Off Detroit). I plan on voting YES. I support our police and I am tired of seeing the hookers and pimps in MY neighborhood on a nightly and DAILY. We CANNOT afford to lose any more police services.
Edi: Target mailing. 1) City has about 46000 households. So they targeted half.
2) Nope. I didn’t get one, neither did the 3 or 4 neighbors I’ve asked.
3) Nope. Ditto #2
Mr. Sofa King – one point of correction. The proposed utility user tax in Pleasant Hill will not apply to EVERYONE as you stated. Limited income households can apply to be exempted from it.
Did not Scott Weir mention in a post a couple months back that there are other ways to raise revenues, such as the real estate transfer tax, which is (I think he mentioned) 3%.
I am sure there are other specialized taxes / fees on the books which should be evaluated and possibly raised.
If the City of Concord worked to initiate more activities within the city which they could then charge for, i.e., food events in Todos Santos, wine tasting events, car shows, etc. Make the city a hub-bub of special events which would generate people visiting, people spending money and vendors paying to take part in.
Get this town moving!!!
No, No, No. The businesses in this city are really struggling. Could not in good conscience support a tax I fully intend to avoid paying. If that means shopping in Martinez, P Hill, or Vacaville so be it. I won’t pay to park in WC so that’s not an option.
Cut what you must, and do we really need so damn many council persons? And a Mayor and a City Manager? Seems to me the place to start cutting.
Oh, opps sorry, Ms. Irish mouse! Eh, people have called me a she before. Are my attitudes and ideas really that feminine??
(I’m a dude, btw. ah the wonders of internet anonymity!)
We learn from our history and we need to investigate what has happened and done by whom, in case, we have to fire some city mgrs.
Does anyone know the people listed on the flyer? Would luv to hear from them.
I have a suggestions, why don’t we sell off some of the property the city owns. Someone list what the city has lost so far from the budget. I know the police didn’t seem to have a problem taking a raise.
Already commented on the latest Propaganda.
‘KJ’…Wrong….taxes go to where taxable item was sold…you buy lots of stuff and nobody knows where you live. The tax rate charged is that in effect where the item is sold. Another reason I buy a lot of items online and out of state.
‘We Need This’…So , if you just maintain the current level of service with this ‘Emergency Temporary Tax’ ( yeah, sure ) the hookers and pimps will go away…dream on. It is not only level of service, it is also neighborhood attitude. Without that, no level of additional service, especially that provided by 1/2 cent , will help you.
New Safeway will open this winter or next spring. It is in PH ( old Mervyn’s), but right next to where I work. More convenient than Willow Pass.
You folks talking about shopping in other cities to avoid paying a HALF CENT sales tax increase are PATHETIC. I sure hope you are not Concord residents and are never in need of any of it’s services. I wonder how many of you naysayers’ stress levels are increased by your negativity. Oh, maybe that is why so many of you support keeping a marijuana dispensary in our city. Pathetic. Go ahead and keep drinking the Edi-Kool-Aid
I believe the city government is fraught with cronyism and favoritism.
We do not need a tax increase. We need to manage the money we have.
We should out source as many of the needed and necessary service as possible and cut any services not directly related to the service of all the citizens. Street repair and sweeping and gardening services and many other can be done by outside companies far less expensively than The City of Concord. If someone want to buy the golf course, fine. If not close it.
I like to see our City trucks supplying needed services and I am proud to be in Concord, it is a great place to work and live. BUT, the budget has been miss managed and stern measured need to be taken to keep the City from taxing the people when there are numerous savings just waiting to be taken advantage of.
This city needs a manager to run this city like a business and less like a cash register for the favored few.
To the question of the City being able to use the taxes that go into the General Fund any way they want: I questioned (among other things) paving at Camp Concord (which I already knew was being required by Forestry Dept.) and was told, that it was budgeted from measure WW money.
But I also knew that in the budget meetings for Phase 2 and 3 of the paving job, the City stated something like “if we don’t have enough in WW, we’ll just borrow from the General Fund”.!!!
But, knowing WW was not a bottemless bucket, they went ahead and budgeted to spend about half a million of WW funds to build Bocce Ball Courts at Baldwin Park, and an even bigger bucket of money to repair/replace the old Bocce Courts. The same Bocce Courts, that. when the area was donated by Seeno, it was agreed that they would be maintained in good order by the users and the Bocce Federation (a membership organization). Now, we know that they did not maintain them, because the City is going to have to do it for the members who use the courts out of the pockets of those who don’t. Remember measure WW funds could run out, and borrowing from the General Fund would be the result.
By the way, even though the “Bocce Federation” says non-members can use the courts (a few oddball hours a week) you have to provide your own balls, and return the fields to playable condition when your finished. HA!
I wonder how many people or corporations chose to move to Concord because we have Bocce Ball Courts?!!
I know it has a growing membership and popularity—-that is not the point. Possibly dipping into funds that would keep our streets safe to pay for Bocce is ridiculous. I sure hope it never comes to that.
Kind of reminds you of the Golf Course, being maintained through “loaned” General Fund Subsidy, with no repayment in sight. Your safety funds at work.
I would bet the majority of people so vehemently complaining about NOT shopping in Concord, to avoid paying a HALF CENT increase in sales tax, are 1) either NOT residents or 2) NOT paying taxes anyway and 3) Probably not registered voters. I wonder why so many of these people are “blogging” during the day and not working
The postage cost was more than double the print cost. The flyers really didn’t cost that much.
What’s with the three Ks’ Ken? You guys have a meeting tonight?
BTW white sheets are subject to this tax as well.
can kiss my cottage cheese white ass. Obviously not trying to run a small business in Concord. Our bank doesn’t come thru, we may done by the end of the 4th quarter. This tax is not the cause of the problems but it damn sure won’t help. Earlier guy is right, maybe we don’t need a manager AND a mayor.
#33! What office are you running for? How’s your stress level? Come on, you’re very quick to insult others by name. What’s in it for you? You are right about one thing: you are Pathetic.
Atticus and #33 – The City Manager and Mayor are 2 separate entities. The Manager is hired by the council and is essentially paid to run the City; whereas, the Mayor is either elected or voted in, by the council, and in Concord, alternates among the council members. It is mostly a “ceremonial” position with no more authority than any of the other members have.
David Molstad – I would have thought after you “suggested” that Helen Allen resign, that you would have been first in line to take out papers to run for council. You are long on criticism, but obviously weren’t willing to “put up or shut up”, because you keep running your mouth. At least Edi “put up”.
Edi Birsan – Your big complaint, over and over and over, seems to be the closing of the Southern Field Office. Get over it. There is /was, no reason to have kept that field office open when the main station is right down the street. It should have been closed last year when the other two offices closed. The only reason that it stayed open was to cater to a “certain ethnic population.” The office that should have stayed open was the Valley, which services the largest population in the city.
Maybe we need to vote Measure Q down and figure out another way to raise money. A utility tax like Pleasant Hill is trying to pass might be easier for businesses. While a utility tax would impact everyone (including businesses) it would spread the burden a little more evenly. Here’s Claycord.com’s posting about it: http://claycord.com/2010/07/29/city-of-pleasant-hill-places-utility-tax-proposal-on-november-ballot/
I think the reason Martinez doesn’t have as many budget problems as other cities is because they get subsidies from the refineries (Shell Oil, etc). Plus they are Contra Costa’s County seat.
Mongoose (#32) – Sales tax on CARS is different than sales tax you to for items bought on amazon.com or in Walnut Creek — for cars, it matters where the person buying the car lives.
“Vehicle purchases [in California] are taxed based on the city and county in which the purchaser registers the vehicle, and not on the county in which the vehicle is purchased. There is therefore no advantage in purchasing a car in a cheaper county to save on sales tax….” [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States]
It seems like closing the Monument Field Office was a smart move by the Chief. I’m not sure why Edi keeps on making this a focal point. All he wants to do is talk in private or merely say he disagrees. I think Edi needs to move on
EdiBirsan The Golf Course is an enterprise fund. If you raise fees there they have to stay there, they can not be used in the Monument area. I’m dissapointed in your knowlege in this area.
And who are these advisory committee members? I see business leaders but were there any “NORMAL” citizens from households trying to put food on the table. I’ve seen these hand picked committees before that rubber stamp what the council is looking for, and this smells of one of those committees.
Meadows,
I lived in Martinez for almost 20 years and the reason Martinez doesn’t have the budget problems Concord has is they have always had a large number of people on the City Council who are employed by the County in upper admin positions. Anaylist, Attorneys, Accountants……Being the County seat has done them no favor (having The Contra Costa Hilton (jail) and J Ward is no prize) and what little refinery subsidies there are goes in the County coffers as Shell sits in the “unicorporated” area. To be fair, Shell does a lot for the community and buys sponsorship in many community events, donates to Alahambra sports etc…They work very hard at being a “good neighbor”
But Also Martinez is a “smart” city. The didn’t go crazy with building, they don’t have apartment/Ghetto rows like Concord does (Monument and Detroit)…They have kept is fairly small and managable.
Perhaps if the nit-wits that run this city would have done something to court Green Industry/Technology to the NWS vs more housing that we don’t need we to could benefit from having a “good neighbor”………
When did we get a Direct Buy in Concord and where is it?
I support this far more than that stupid bond for solar in the schools. I’m okay with paying a little more to get us thru these difficult economic times. At least there’s a time limit on this measure, how long are they going to suck us dry with the solar bond?
Car sales are different than other items. When you buy a car the tax rate is based on where the car is to be registered, not where it’s sold. If you buy a car in Walnut Creek but live in Concord you’ll be charged Concord’s sales tax rate.
Got it?
Ricky-
Safety and emergency response are of course number one. The initial purpose of city government function is to provide police and fire safety. We have a consolidated fire department, so our budget reflects that the single biggest department 53% of the budget is the police department.
And yes, I do offer to meet with people and sit down and talk to them face to face. Write to me/ Ed@EdBirsan.com
Nelson: But, if the Enterprise fund received enough money through its own fees to support itself, it might be able to pay back the many-many hundreds of thousands of dollars it owes to the General Fund. I’ve tried to figure out exactly how much it owes, but the bookkeeping is very foggy.
The master Enterprise Fund documents indicate that the Golf Course shall be fully independent and support itself. I can’t even go back far enough to find out how long the city has been “subsidizing” it.
I know Edi has been upset about closing the Monument Field Office. I too have been upset about closure of the North Field Office. Someone said the people manning the offices were not really cops. Well let me tell you. When I went in to the office in the Estates (Now known as Solano) Center, they were real cops, doing real cop duties. If nothing else, just having their patrol care parked there helped. That Solano/Grant area and on up the hill and over to Holbrook area needs regular patrol officers that are closer than downtown. Right NOW, there is a drag race or something going up Port Chicago!
Close/sell subsidized services, reopen substations. Problem solved!!!
I think the substations did wonders for the neighborhoods they were in.
Whoo! Good thing they city is scaring us into passing the tax so we can keep the golf course/camp ground/pools open! Err I mean increase police, err I mean keep the status quo.
Keep those salaries and pensions high too! We have plenty of money to go around! (Just ask Mr. Forsberg!)
Once the “tax” money hits the general fund, who here can tell which part goes to safety and which part goes to the golf course and to pay for retirement bonuses paid over the next five years? (Funny how that worked out?) Yah, I thought so.
(Hmm… In a way, since we are paying off Mr. Forsberg over 5 years and “tax” lasts 5 years…the city should promote this tax as “We need this pay off an ex-employee” tax!)
“Does anyone know the people listed on the flyer? Would luv to hear from them.
I have a suggestions, why don’t we sell off some of the property the city owns. ”
A couple on the list are friends of the family. Though I haven’t seen them since the last family get-together. I actually mentioned Claycord to them when we were discussing my new found interest in local politics. We had a very heated discussion about Mr. Forsberg’s bonus.
BABS!!! I love that suggestion!
Ah O’ Mouse–don’t forget, we’re getting new and improved Bocce Ball Courts too. Well, “we’re” not. The Concord Bocce Federation is. We are just the ones paying for it.
Dan Helix: former Concord mayor
Ed Andrews: downtown property owner
Jimmy Arauja: lives in concord, Realtor in WC
Patricia Howlett: former city appointed rep for concord airport advisory board, currently (?) Concord’s appointed representative on the County
Board of Supervisors
Eizo Kobayashi: columnist for Concord Transcript
Doug Messner: Chairman of the Board, Sierra Pacific Properties
Rosanne Nieto: City’s appointed representative on the Contra Costa
County Iron Horse Corridor Advisory Committee
Floyd Roseberry: board member, Michael Chavez Center (Monument Community)
Virginia Thomas Sonoma Bank. Todos Santos business assoc president.
Just remember this once the tax is approved it will NEVER go away. Just like my budget, if the money is not there CUT the expense. Quit coming back to me to pay for things. I DON”T HAVE THE MONEY. This just means that I buy my stuff elsewhere. Simple law of econmics.
Feckin Irish Mouse: thanks for the clarification.
Concord’s population is three times larger than Martinez. It’s unfortunate that Concord doesn’t have as many people with strong legal and admin backgrounds. It’s time to move the county seat from Martinez to Concord. Or, PLAN B, find out what can be done to get more experienced people into leadership positions. Concord has 10 candidates running for City Council. Most of them lack the experience needed to manage a city with a population roughly 123,000.
I watched the rebroadcast of the debates last week on Concord TV. Several candidates never looked into the camera. Several were not wearing business attire. Some were unprepared, and lacked self-confidence. Only a couple of them mentioned professional level backgrounds. Concord will most likely vote in the ones with the most street signs. Not necessarily the most qualified.
The Concord City Council debates from are being rebroadcast tomorrow (Sat) at 9am or 6pm on Concord TV. Here’s a link to the schedule:
http://www.cityofconcord.org/about/citynews/tvlistings.pdf
Meadows – thanks for the information on the re-broadcast. I will be sure to watch and think that we should all try to do so. Appearances and demeanor are definitely important because they say a lot about a person.
Mea Culpa on the sales tax…..Marching on.
In Re KKK
1. I am a resident
2. I pay a boat load of taxes, as do we all.
3. Registered and have voted since 1967.
4. Work weekends, off during week, a lot of us do you know.
BOCCE BALL COURTS…..you have got to be kidding.
anonamom. Thanks for the info on the people on the “advisory” committee. What a set up. Their endorsement means nothing for the average citizen of concord.
I too support the substations. Visibility is critical. I would also suggest the scrap the motorcycle cops and put them in cars. The visibility of a patrol car driving through the neighborhoods is much better than a cycle cop or two sitting on the corner giving tickets to grandmas.
observer
I am curious as to why you think I should run for City Council. I am unknown in the community.
Being an active member of community debates does not naturally quality me or anyone else for the City Council post. Besides I have my own agenda.
That agenda is to re introduce values and principles into government. The people need to elect representatives, not leaders, who reflect the morals, character and values of the community. I believe that Concord is a community of people with good character, good family values, morals, integrity and faith. These principles need to be in the values of the elected representatives. Honest, accountable and responsible people that we are should demand the same from the people we elect and right not I do not see that in the City Council or School board.
So, Mr/Ms Observer, for now I believe I can do more for my community by being a voice of principles and values, encouraging accountability and responsibility, integrity and morals.
I am not perfect, no one is, but the more we try the better we get at being the with a solid foundation of good character, good family values and good morals.
And, my email address is dmolstad@astound.net, just in case you would like to discuss this or other topics further. I love debates, we all learn more and generally learn to respect others more when talking face to face.
ACC – it’s in the shopping center with Trader Joes, on Concord Ave, at the opposite end.
I’d like to comment on the option for the City to consider raising the property transfer tax which is applied when a property changes hands. (I made this suggestion on the Claycord site before the City chose to place a sales tax increase on the ballot.)
First disclaimer: as the County Registrar, I do not want to take a stand on a measure that is appearing on our ballot, so my comments are not meant to take a position.
From a policy standpoint, and from an equity standpoint, the current transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000 value (50% to County and 50% to City or a transfer tax of $330 for a $300,000 home) could be raised to $3 or $4 per $1,000 value and would generate the $5 million range the City seems to be seeking. I’m home ill today and don’t have access to my notes at work, so I’m doing this from memory.
The tax only applies to the equity, as it is calculated, “less liens”. So, at the point when a home or business is sold, the tax would be assessed and collected as part of the escrow.
Second disclaimer: As Recorder, my office collects a small fee to calculate and collect transfer tax that does not conform to the state standard fee of $1.10 per $1,000 of value.
There are other items that would need to be discussed if this issue was to be considered. For now, I would prefer that any consideration of this option wait the outcome of the Nov. 2 vote. If asked, I would gladly provide my preliminary analysis of this option.
Steve, thanks for that. I was hoping you would see the post.
No.
Steve,
I have to disagree. I believe that the government is in place to be of service to the people, not to punish the people,.
Your example if the current tax of $1.10 per $1k (with stipulations) is a tax of $330 for a $300,000 home. Your proposal, an increase of 300% or 400% would make the same tax jump to $12000. That is an incredible punishment for selling a home. And future home sales will not have the equity of the past furthering the punishment of the people.
When tax revenues diminish, government services need to diminish equally be it people or swimming pools or golf courses or any other service that does not directly effect the safety and well being of the community such as police fire and direct public safety needs.
The people and their wellbeing is the only duty of the government not punishing the people for the wellbeing of the government.
We do get used to a lot of wonderful services from local government, but no one should expect all services in tough economic times. A good government would manage the tax income to the best advantage of the people. There are times when taxes need to change to meet certain demands of the people on the government, this is not that time. The government in general is bloated with people a high salaries. We need to bring the government in line with the income of the people it is supposed to serve.
“A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned – this is the sum of good government.”
Thomas Jefferson
Words to live by today…
Sorry, huge oversight…..
The government in general is bloated with people a high salaries.
should be;
The government in general is bloated with people and high salaries.
David, I’m not taking a position on which tax measure, or on any tax measure, ought to be enactes. I’m pointing out an option.
The people would decide.
When our founding fathers expressed their theories of government, we did not have the urban/suburban model that dominates our society today. No sewer collection, no water treatment and distribution, no universal fire protection, no universal access to education.
All of that has changed.
“But what is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angles, no government would be necessary.” Federalist 51, Madison.
Whether government is efficient or bloated, we still have the obligation to be ever vigilant.
Steve, I see we agree on a few points.
I understand you are pointing out an option. My wording should have been more appropriate. And the people will decide. Personally I am very uncomfortable giving tax dollars to the city, school board or county that goes to the uncountable general fund. There are too few men of good character integrity in government today.
Let me quote myself, “There are times when taxes need to change to meet certain demands of the people on the government, this is not that time”. When we the people make a demand for services of government it is only fair and reasonable that we the people should expect to pay for said services. What often happens, as I am sure you know. agencies start to grow and take on a life of their own, so to speak, and begin demanding more tax dollars for services beyond the original intent. Some grown is necessary and good. Some is not. In the economy we have today with the centralization of all power to DC, we the community need to keep ourselves able to supply the essential required services, (water, sewer, police and such) and cut services that are not cost effective to the entire community. We need to be able to take care of ourselves, manage our local funds and save money in order to keep the most basic community services in place.
The people need to get off the couch and become involved in at least city level government, if only to learn and understand what is going on and to state their individual opinions.
IN MY OPINION, These times are great times for change, IFI we change for less government and more local and community involvement. When people stopped talking with each other and stopped reading we began to see a surge in complacency. We the people need to be accountable and responsible or we will see the utter loss of freedom, something too many of us still take for granted as it is being peeled away from us.
Would it not be terribly boring if all men were a angels?
But the current rate for the transfer tax is too low and by raising it, it would generate revenue.
Alas, Concord could have really generated some revenues In the mad days of buying and selling houses, 2002-2007, if that transfer tax had been higher.
I believe increased revenues can be found in taxes which already exist and reevaluating their levels, without instituting another.
Regards,
Jeanne
“Would it not be terribly boring if all men were a angels?”
The question then is what would the women be?
Just think if the council had the forsight to adjust the transfer tax when the real estate market was booming. We wouldn’t be having a budget problem. If according to S Weir’s rough estitmate would generate 5mil, and realize this may be rough, if you plug that into a 10 year budget, it would generate 50mil dollars.
The only reason we, the citizens of Concord, are having to deal with this $5m deficit is because the City Council have not done the work they had been elected to do, manage our city.
The City Council has failed in its primary duty and played into the hands of developers and other special interests rather than work for us, the people who elected them.
The Council needs to make a realistic and truthful audit of city expenditures and reduce expenditures to balance the current budget.
The City Council is more concerned about City Managers and City Departments than it is about the people of Concord.
That is wrong. The Council has failed and there is no excuse for their miss management of the citizens money and reckless management of our city.
$1200 David not $12k.
Thanks for chiming in Steve. I personally thought the parcel tax was a better option, but it required 2/3rd to pass. Pfft. What exactly do we pay $250k+/yr to Slick Wil… err Mr. Keen for? To take the easy way out of course. On the backs of taxpayers…
Friday is state furlough so no classes today. I’ve been using this time between studying and homework to catch up on city issues before the hiatus is over. While reviewing old council meetings, I came across the city’s bluff.
http://www.ci.concord.ca.us/citygov/agendas/council/index.asp
6/1 5a 12:45
Crime rates are falling>>> Cut away!
The proposed 11-12 cuts don’t affect front-line officers or 9-1-1 dispatcher>>> Cut away!
So who is fudging the facts? The chief’s report or city manger’s report?
Eliminate District Commander Program (whatever that is) is the biggest proposed cut. SO where are the 9-1-1 F.U.D. claims in these proposed cut presentations?
They just want to ensure their 150k+ salaries and keep the squeaky wheels (constituents) quiet. Meanwhile, we ALL pay to subsidize the golfers, campers, swimmers, and bocce ball players! (And other questionable fiscal decsions, high salaries and pension and like handing out retirement bonuses.)
As I’ve been saying, No on Q means No: the city won’t fall apart if we continue cutting till expenses MATCH income. NOT the other way around.
Sounds like another waste of tax dollars, political BS and deception by the City Management. Why is it things have changes so much over the past two years that no one can really trace the money?????????????????
Is this called transparency or BS.
Whatever, I’ll vote no but don’t really care. I only live in Concord, you think I actually shop in this ghetto shithole?
The juxtaposition really struck me last week after the concert in the park in Clayton. It was a great time, no thugs, no morons cruising around in their late-model Dodge Chargers with gay-ass 22s and candy paint job, blasting that ghetto noise pollution….unlike a certain Todos Santos Park. Then we took a walk and drive around surrounding neighborhoods…nice homes, well-manicured, look like people actually have some pride. Guess they must be owner-occupants. Then we leave, and before you even hit the intersection at YV Rd. you can see, hear, and feel the difference. Then keep driving down Clayton and now you really can tell you’re just a small step above Pittsburg or Antioch.
If he’s as insufferable in person as he is in posts, I’d rather have Helen Allen back. Come on people, get your heads on straight.Jeez.
JW: “owner occupied” ?? Yeah, many of them live there and are the slumlords of the houses they left in Concord, not giving a rat’s A about the old house or it’s neighbors, as long as the rent comes in on time.
Surely, an up-scale, person such as yourself can also afford to move out of town. I’d appreciate it.
its dammit!
Well, by now everyone knows I love research…….Well, what would you say the chances are that the ’09-’10 taxes are in default on the City’s much defended Diablo Creek Golf Course???? https://taxcolp.co.contra-costa.ca.us/taxpaymentrev3/summary/priortaxyearinfo1.jsp
Now I understand the word Default very well—-Can Someone explain the “Transfer” to me? Maybe Steve Weir?
Also note: the assessed value is less than the City paid out of the General Fund to “upgrade” in not too long ago….
Found it: Failed to Pay by June 30, 2010 Amount Transferred to Redemption
Wait a minute. Is it possible they defaulted on a $75.00 bill for Street Lights?
and they pay no property tax ???? Now I do need an explanation.
giggles@anonamom@6:15
sssh, don’t ask too many question about our ‘prestigious’ golf course!
people might start to realize what a crap hole and money pit it is!
when neighborhood services goes to $hit, seniors start starving, etc it’s not because we don’t have enough income, it’s because we waste so much money on stupid things. Viva la golf course, swimming pools, and camp grounds!
Nelson, sorry I think you missed my point…the Q flyer …says it wants to thank the following people…(see names above in thread) for their commitment to the City. It doesn’t say if these people want to pass Q or support it……that is why I want to hear from them.
I would be pissed off if Keen used my name and I didn’t support this…which by the grapevine is what I’ve heard.
Sorry, I’ve missed the question about Diablo Creek Gold Course.
That’s OK Mr. Weir. New questions. 1) Who “owns” the golf course? Is it still “leased land” that the county leased from the Fed, but the city built the golf course? 2) Does anyone pay property taxes on the two and a half million assessed value of the property or 3) Are there any personal property taxes for the buildings, equipment etc.? 4) Lastly, who owns/pays taxes on the restaurant on the golf course property?
Let me back up. I know the actual working golf course (and, I believe) the restaurant is the City’s, and is run through the Enterprise Fund and concessions. I meant the actual land. In addition to all the money this endeavor costs, does the city pay county or any other taxes on it?
Anonamom, I believe the golf course is CNWS land which the City of Concord leases.
(I remember hearing this year’s ago, but there’s always the chance I’m wrong).
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