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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 11/23/1993 -r Ir~esk Local Print for Andrea RIEGER Start of Item 30. Message.Dated:11/29/93 at 1051. Subject:LRC MEETING MINUTES Sender:Andrea RIEGER /CFC/01 Contents:2. FROM:Andrea RIEGER /CFC/O1 Part 1. FROM:Andrea RIEGER /CFC/O1 TO:DISTRIBUTION Part 2. LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES NOVEI”BER 23,1993 ME?~ERS PRESENT:Chris Kneeland,Chairperson Alan Apt Ann Azari S\AFF PRESENT:Jerry Brown Pete Dallow Susanne Edminster Stewart Ellenberg Ken Forest,PR-i Tom Gallier Alan Krcmarik Bob Nastan Andrea Rieger Tom Shoemaker Ann Turnquist Meeting called to order at 12:10. 1.UPDATE INTERIM SCHOOL FINANCE COMMITTEE: Ken Forest distributed information on the proposed funding for the 1995 school year.Poudre R-i is supposed to receive $3,934/pupil in 1993-94 and 94-95 with a 0%increase.Because of a “J”curve, Fort Collins does not receive any adjustment for size (schools between 12,222 -22,000 do not receive size adjustments).With this proposal,increases based on size would be given to the Denver,Jefferson County and Cherry Creek school districts.Yet Poudre R-1 has a significant portion of at-risk students. ..dre R-1 and other school districts have formed a “Coalition for a Thorough and Uniform Colorado Public Education System”which represents 132,000 students in Colorado.This coalition has developed it’s own recommendations for school funding and student accomplishments.Ken distributed a copy of the Coalition’s concept paper.The coalition is recommending that there be sanctions for r excessive administrative spending.(Poudre R-l has the highest percentage spent on instruction and lowest on support services.) tte concept is still in progress,and local legislators seem to be pportive. School finance will be a big issue this session.Representative Anderson has said that $130M should be allocated for education in 1994.We should support our local legislators in their efforts to more equitably fund our school districts.Should discuss this issue with legislators at the December 20 meeting.(Invite PR-l representatives.) 2.TAX POLICY The last meeting of the Tax Policy Committee was in October.This Committee does not have a clear recommendation at this point, although there was a lot of discussion on property tax,Amendment 1 and the Gallagher Amendment.Amendment 1 and the Gallagher Amendment work against property tax collection --Several ideas on how to correct this:One idea was to modify Amendment 1 so the mill levy can float upwards without a vote,as long as property tax doesn’t exceed prior year limits.Another idea is to repeal the Gallagher Amendment or identify other tax revenues.Declining property tax revenues impact the school districts first,cities second.(Poudre Fire Authority is primarily funded through property tax.)The feeling is that the legislature may not wish to deal with this question during an election year. county assessors would like legislation to address ~..xtraordinary circumstances,’which would address large drops or increases in valuation.The County Commissioners Association would like to change the agricultural designation of parcels of 35 -40 acres,which pay less in property tax than a typical city lot. No bill sponsors for the tax increment legislation.Not a lot of progress on the sales tax simplification.In order to impose a graduated income tax,Amendment 1 would have to be modified by referendum.The Tax Policy Committee would like to be designated as a permanent committee,and complete a major study of all tax revenues,jurisdictions and services. 3.WATER AND STATE SCHOOL LANDS Only a couple of minor bills,and perhaps some individual bills from committee members are likely to come out of this committee. We should expect some legislation on the water basin transfer issue.Tom Gallier is awaiting a copy of the final report with more detail. The committee (and others)are divided around land board issues. There may be legislation that attempts to: -Prohibit sale of land or escrowing of money w/o approval by the legislature,and/or Disbands the land board,and/or -Mandate that the land board sell 25%of it’s land holdings in the next 7-8 years (bill by Rep.Adkins). The sale of the Meadows Springs Ranch is proceeding nicely. Fossil Creek:Initiate some contact with the State Land Board over Fossil Creek.Send a general letter to the land board/legislators tO~that there is interest around Fossil Creek in northern ~~.orado.Continue to coordinate with other local groups interested in this area.Add this item to the corridor meeting agenda for December.Also,we may want to contact the N.Poudre Irrigation Co.,to let them know of our interest,Possible topic for the December 20 evening meeting with legislators. 4.LAND BOARD PROCEDURE Tom Shoemaker to send a letter to the Land Board,the interim committee and our legislators recommending that they adopt a policy that would assure that the natural resource and recreation values of State School Lands be fully considered prior to selling or changing the use of such lands. 5.PROPOSED HEALTH CARE PLAN Ann Turnquist distributed a memo on the proposed Clinton health care plan.Under the plan,employers would be responsible for 80%- of medical costs.This is not significant for those employees currently covered.However,under the proposed plan,the City would be responsible for the health care for all temporary employees (pr-rated,if they work for other employers).Currently, the City would have to participate in the plan because all public sector employers must participate as it is currently written. (There is an option for major private employers >5000 to(ticipate in corporate alliances.)Need to analyze to ensure&at it is cost effective,and that employees’interests are protected. Right now this is a moving target.We will wait for an update from the NLC,then discuss it at an LRC meeting.Then,give early input to federal legislators. 6.C.S.U.LEGISLATIVE AGENDA CSU started a community group with representatives from the City, the Chairiber,Fort Collins Inc.,PVH,Larimer County,Front Range Community College and PR-i to discuss issues of common interest on a monthly basis.Ann Azari is vice-chair.This group would like a copy of our draft Legislative Agenda,so that they may identify areas of common interest. 7.LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Decided that the current wording under “Education”on supporting the development of reliable and fair funding mechanisms captured the intent of Gina’s wording.Andrea to send out a reminder on the purpose/intent of the Legislative Agenda to all council members closer to the Dec.7 meeting via hpdesk.Andrea or Pete will introduce the Agenda,then Chris,Ann and Alan may want to say a words about the Agenda. 8.DECE~ER 20 MEETING Need to send courtesy invitations to all relevant groups on our December 20 meeting.Emphasize that this is to discuss issues of City concern. Adjourned:1:15 STAFF MEETING:DECEI”BER 3,2:00 ADMIN.CONFERENCE ROOM FULL LRC MEETING:DECEMEER 30,12:00 -1:15 CIC ROOM End of Item 30.