2000 AGN JUN 20 I16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROVAL: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: BACKGROUND: CITY OF COLTON AGENDA REPORT FOR COUNCIL MEETING OF June 20, 2000 Honorable Mayor and City Council Henry T. Garcia, City Manager C.-t� al City Attorney Request for Amicus Curiae Support in County of Sonoma, et al. v. California Department of Finance, et al. June 13, 2000 From time to time, public agencies seek the City, s support as an amicus curiae (a friend of the court). There is no cost to the City to participate as an amicus curiae. The County of Sonoma is seeking support in the case described below which involves the issue of reimbursement of the Education Revenue Augmentation Fund (AERAF@) property tax shift. DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: The County of Sonoma filed an action against the State Department of Finance claiming that the ERAF property tax shift constituted a reimbursable state mandate under the California Constitution. The trial court in this cased ruled in favor of the County and the State has appealed that decision to the First Circuit Court of Appeal. The amicus brief will support the County, s legal arguments and assert that the California Constitution requires the state to pay for programs and services for which it is responsible. The property tax shift is therefore a reimbursable state mandate. This case is important to all cities because of the potential for reimbursement of property tax revenues. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Direct the City Attorney to advise the County of Sonoma to list the City of Colton as a supporter of the amicus curiae brief. 2. Take no action. RVPUBWGS\570949 Item #16