DATE: June 21, 2016
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Finance
SUBJECT
Title
Gann Appropriations Limit for FY 2017
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That City Council adopts a Resolution establishing an appropriations limit for Fiscal Year 2017.
Body
BACKGROUND
State Proposition 4, commonly known as the Gann Initiative, was approved by California voters in November 1979. Proposition 4 created Article XIIIB of the State Constitution, which places limits on the amount of revenue that can be spent by government agencies. This is referred to as the Gann Appropriation Limit, or Gann Limit.
A subsequent related State initiative, Proposition 111, was approved by the voters in June 1990 and provided new adjustment formulas to make the Gann Limit more responsive to local growth issues and to address concerns regarding the accountability of local governments in adopting their limits. Prior to each fiscal year, city councils must adopt by resolution the Gann Appropriation Limit for the city for the upcoming year. In addition, cities are required to conduct a review of their limits during annual financial audits.
The appropriations limitation imposed by Propositions 4 and 111 creates a restriction on the amount of revenue that can be appropriated in any fiscal year. The limit is based on actual appropriations during the 1978-79 fiscal year and is increased each year using population and inflation growth factors. Only revenues that are classified as "proceeds of taxes" are subject to the limit. The use of "non-tax proceeds" (user fees, rental income, franchise fees, Gas Tax revenue) is not restricted by the Gann limit.
DISCUSSION
During any fiscal year, a city may not appropriate any proceeds of taxes it receives in excess of its established limit. Excess funds received in any year may be carried into the subsequent year for use if the city is below its limit for that year. Any excess funds remaining after the second year would...
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