HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 05031988 - S.2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Supervisor Tom Torlakson Contra
Introduced April 26, 1988 Costa
DATE: for Board Action May 3 , 1988 County
SUBJECT: BALLOT MEASURE TO FIGHT CRIME AND ADEQUATELY STAFF LAW
ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS INCLUDING PROVIDING PERSONNEL FOR NEW JAIL
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Direct the County Administrator to research
the possibility of a ballot measure, such•. as Alameda County is
considering, for aiding the criminal justice system in its fight
against crime and drugs.
Specifically, the County Administrator' s Office should look into
the following options: (1) Alameda County is using a General
Obligation Bond approach to carry out its capital needs which will
free up about $9 million annually for critical operational needs. The
estimate of the cost of the ballot measure in Alameda County is
approximately $12 per $100,000 assessed valuation. ( 2 ) We could also
consider the concept of a parcel tax which could be used directly for
operations.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The entire criminal justice system is
under extreme duress. The caseloads are escalating in incredible
proportions and the system is being overwhelmed. The voters, I
believe, are strongly in favor of fighting the drug pushers, the
perpetrators of violent crime and many others who are breaking the
law. I believe a properly focused ballot measure would succeed with
the voters of Contra Costa County and that we could enlist the. support
of all the police departments and cities in this effort.
I recognize there are many other pressing needs in the budget and
needs for additional services in Contra Costa County. We are facing
an enormous task this year to simply balance the budget without severe
cuts that will affect all programs especially law enforcement. While
we at one time conceived a "package" measure that might include
funding for mental health, libraries and law enforcement, I do that
see that as being feasible at this time. In my view, the voters will
respond more positively to focused measures where they get a chance to
say directly how their taxes will be spent in targeted areas of
concern. Follow-up measures to the voters after the November 1/2-cent
sales tax measure are inevitable. "Fighting crime" will have a good
chance of succeeding. The criminal justice system is under pressure
to the breaking point in many, many areas. The caseload in the
District Attorney' s Office and the courts, the jail overcrowding and
staffing issues are enormous. The need to expand C-NET is also vital
but would bring about further pressure on the entire system.
The people of Contra Costa are ready to fight drugs and crime and
provide the needed resources. We must give them the opportunity to do
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: �`'I„ `/7✓
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S) pO
ACTION OF BOARD ON May 33 , 1900 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED - OTHER X
REQUESTED County Administrator to review feasibility of a ballot measure
to provide funding for the criminal justice system, as well as other areas
and programs that require additional funding, and report back to the Board
during Budget deliberations .
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
3_ UNANIMOUS (ABSENT -- ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: County Administrator ATTESTED 12ay. 3 , 1988
Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board of
Su eruisors and County Administrator
M382/7-83 BY ' DEPUTY