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RES 24-016RESOLUTION NO. 24-016 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CAMAS WASHINGTON, PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY AT AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON FEBUARY 11, 2025, OF A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT OF THE UTILITY BUSINESS AND OCCUPATION TAX RATE AS SET FORTH IN CAMAS MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 3.10.040 FROM TWO PERCENT TO SIX PERCENT AND DESIGNATING SUCH INCREASE TO BE SOLELY UTILIZED FOR POLICE SERVICES. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Camas, Washington finds that the City of Camas, given budget constraints and an increasing population, is currently operating the Camas Police Department on a budget which is not commensurate with the expected level of service to ensure public safety, crime investigation and traffic enforcement; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Camas, Washington finds that is imperative to provide adequate funding for the Camas Police Department to support a fully staffed police force to provide an optimal level of service; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Camas, Washington finds it is in the public interest of the City to increase the current funding level of the Camas Police Department in order to hire additional police staff and purchase police equipment to provide for the general health, safety and welfare of the community; and WHEREAS, RCW 3 SA.11.020 authorizes the City to impose taxes upon gross revenues earned by utility and service providers within its jurisdictional boundaries, including municipally operated utilities; and WHEREAS, Chapter 3.10 of the Camas Municipal Code imposes a utility tax equal to two percent (2%) of the total gross income derived from revenues of utilities providing water, sewer, solid waste and stormwater operations, including municipally operated utilities; and WHEREAS, in order to provide all or part of the funds necessary to provide optimal public safety services, the City Council finds it necessary, proper and advisable and that the public interest is best served by increasing the utility tax from two-percent (2%) to six-percent ( 6%) on the gross earnings of utilities providing water, sewer, solid waste and storm water operations within the City; and WHEREAS, the four percent (4%) increase in the utility tax rate as proposed herein shall be designated and utilized to increase public safety services by providing additional funds to the Camas Police Department in order to improve the public health and safety of the citizens of Camas; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds it appropriate to submit to the qualified voters of the City of Camas, on the conditions here and above set forth, a proposition asking whether the City should increase the utility tax on gross earnings of utilities providing water, sewer, solid waste and stormwater operations within the City from two percent (2%) as currently taxed to six percent (6%) to provide revenues for public safety services, with an election to be held February 11, 2025. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CAMAS, WASHINGTON, DO RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Findings. The City Council finds it is the best interest of the resident and businesses of the City of Camas to increase City public safety services by providing more funds to the Camas Police Department in order to improve the public health and safety of the citizens of Camas. Section 2. Increased Tax on Gross Earnings of Utilities Providing Water, Sewer, Solid Waste and Stormwater Operations within the City. It is hereby found and declared that the best interests of the City require the submission to the qualified electors of the City for their approval or rejection at the Special Election to be held on February 11, 2025 a proposition authorizing an increase of the utility tax from 2% as currently taxed to 6% on the gross earnings of utilities providing water, sewer, solid waste and stormwater operations within the City as set forth in Camas Municipal Code Section 3.10.040, to be collected in 2025 and every year thereafter. The Clark County Auditor, as ex officio supervisor of elections in Clark County, Washington, is hereby requested to call and conduct such election to be held within the City on such day and to submit the aforementioned proposition. The City requests that the Clark County Auditor call and conduct this election to be held by all mail-in ballot within the City and submit to the City's voters the proposition in substantially the form set forth below. Upon approval of the voters of the proposition hereinafter set forth, the increase would provide four percent for the City to use for the purpose of providing, operating, maintaining and/or funding Camas Police Department functions, facilities, equipment, and personnel. Section 3. Ballot Measure. The City shall submit the proposition to the electorate of the City of Camas in substantially the form set forth in in Exhibit A. The City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to provide to the Clark County Auditor, as ex officio supervisor of elections in Clark County, Washington, a certified copy of this resolution together with a ballot proposition in substantially the form attached hereto, for inclusion in the general election to be held by all mail-in ballot within the City on February 11, 2025. Section 4. Minor Adjustments. The Mayor and City Attorney are authorized to make such minor adjustments to the wording of such proposition as may be recommended by the Clark County Auditor as long as the intent of the proposition remains clear and consistent with the intent of this Resolution as approved by the City Council. ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Camas, this 18th day of November 2024. APPROVED as to form: ~ City Attorney EXHIBIT A CITY OF CAMAS, WASHINGTON PROPOSITION --- This Proposition increases the City Utility Tax to pay for Police Services The City of Camas adopted Resolution No. asking voters to consider approving additional revenue to be dedicated for police services in the City. If approved by voters, this Proposition would authorize the City to increase the current 2% Utility Tax to 6% on the gross earnings of utilities providing water, sewer, solid waste and storm water operations within the City, authorizing 4% for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing police services in Camas. Should Proposition No. __ be: APPROVED? REJECTED?