Annexation 480 CHELSEA ROSE ANNEXATION PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING AUGUST 11 TH, 2015

Purpose of Meeting City Staff wants to determine: ◦Whether you, the resident, are in favor or opposed to annexation ◦Which residents are out of water ◦What additional municipal services are needed immediately We also hope to provide you with a clearer understanding of the annexation process and the results of annexation.

What Does This Mean For Property Owners? Annexation would incorporate the subject area into city limits, which will make city municipal services such as water, sewer, and other services available to residents.

Annexation Area – Annexation 480

Water and Sewer All annexed areas will be eligible for sewer and water upon annexation, but you will NOT be required to connect immediately. Existing properties would be required to connect to sewer when your current septic system fails. Failure is defined as an event where septic tank and/or leach field requires replacement. Maintenance, pumping, etc., is normal and not considered failure. Existing residences could connect to water immediately upon annexation with payment of fees.

How Will Annexation Change My Taxes? Annexation will not change property taxes. The percentage of the tax share between County and City changes, but that does not affect the person paying the tax. Sales tax doesn’t change as a result of annexation except for businesses within the annexation area. Annexation 480 does not include any business, so this would not be an impact. The City does assess a Utility Users Tax. This 6% tax is applied to phone, electric, gas, cable TV and municipal water bills. It typically does not apply to cell phones or internet, but it depends on your service provider. The Utility Users Tax funds the City’s General Fund to pay for services including Parks, Fire and the Police Department. On average, a person might expect to pay about $20 per month in Utility Users Tax.

What About My Animals? The City of Porterville’s Animal Keeping Ordinance permits up to three dogs, three cats and three chickens* not to exceed a total of seven household pets. Livestock and farm animals may also be permitted in certain circumstances, depending on the zoning and size of your parcel. Please contact city staff for more information specific to your property. *Chickens are permitted in residential zones and are subject to certain conditions.

Trash, Recycling and Green Waste City trash, recycling and green waste services are available immediately upon annexation, or residents may continue to use existing providers for up to five years. City fees are typically less than local private companies. Standard fee for a single family resident is about $20.00 per month.

Explaining the Annexation Process Next steps: ◦Tonight’s information meeting ◦Staff prepares application materials ◦City Council holds public hearing to consider the annexation (Anticipate Sept 1, 2015 mtg) ◦If Council approves, staff submits application to LAFCo ◦LAFCo holds public hearing (Anticipate November 2015 mtg) ◦LAFCo holds protest hearing (Anticipate February 2016 mtg) ◦If protests are less than 25% of registered voters, the annexation is approved. ◦If protests are greater than 25% but less than 50% of registered voters, a ballot will be issued to determine whether or not the annexation will proceed.

Explaining the Annexation Process cont. ◦If Council denies the proposal, no further proceedings shall be taken on the proposal and no similar proposal involving the same or substantially the same territory shall be initiated for one year after the date of the adoption of the resolution terminating proceedings.

How Do I Make My Voice Heard? Whether you are in favor or opposed to the proposed annexation, we want to hear your thoughts. ◦Join us at a City Council meeting (August 18, Sept 1) 6:30 pm - Oral Communications segment allows anyone to speak to the Council on any topic, and this item will be a Public Hearing so that people may speak at the time the Council is considering the item. ◦Send us a letter or an ◦Julie Phillips, Community Development Manager, 291 N. Main Street, Porterville, ◦Mayor & Councilmembers, 291 N Main Street, Porterville, CA ◦Fill out an Annexation Survey and leave it with us tonight, or send it in.

Thank you for providing input! We genuinely want your input. This annexation is in response to a number of families without water. Please provide your input and know that this is not a “done deal”! This proposal is very different from an “Island Annexation”. Without majority support, this effort may fail. We need to know what the property owners and residents want to have happen. Please stay involved. us, call us, come to the City Council meeting, and make your voice heard. Thanks again!