Home Antioch Antioch Sales Tax Citizen Oversight Committee Applications Due Jan 16, 2014

Antioch Sales Tax Citizen Oversight Committee Applications Due Jan 16, 2014

by ECT

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The deadline to submit an application to the new Sales Tax Citizen Oversight Committee is January 16, 2014 which will help ensure funding from Measure C will be spent on Police and Code Enforcement.

Antioch residents are only eligible and the committee is set at 7-members which four-members will serve a four-year term with three-members serving a two-year term.

On Tuesday night, the City Council established parameters for the committee to show the public that the committee will be working to ensure the funds go to where they were promised as part Measure C which will bring in an estimated additional $4.7 million per year in sales tax revenue—legally, it can be spent anywhere within the city budget, but the council has vowed it will be spent where promised during the campaign.

It should be noted that while the Sales Tax will go into effect on April 1, fund will not come into the city until August or September.

The makeup of the committee will be the following:

  • Staggered Terms: 4-members to be appointed to four-year terms with 3-members to two year terms. No automatic term limit.
  • Service on Multiple Boards: May members of Sales Tax Committee be allowed to serve on other City Boards, Commissions, or Committees: No disqualifications
  • Qualifications: 1-member should have financial/auditing background
  • Roll: Year 1 will meet 3-times, subsequent years to meet 2-times (minimal)
  • Staff Liaison: Finance Director is the staff liaison

There was some debate over the terms of service since it was odd number of years at 7—City Manager Jake Jakel pointed out that although the sales tax measure is seven-years, the life of the funds is eight-years because we collect the funds in the rear.

“I just don’t want people to think this is political and coincides with our terms as city council and mayors because this is not political so I would say four and three years for that reason. But I am open to my fellow colleagues,” said Mayor Wade Harper.

Harper explained that he believes anyone should be able to serve on this committee without a disqualifier.

“I would not disqualify someone because this committee will not meet that often and behave a lot of solid and sound people who are working on other boards and commissions and we can always decide who will be on this committee based on their workload,” said Harper. ““I like the idea of having at least one committee person with an accounting background, I think that’s needed. I want to make sure that there is a meeting at least one meeting before that April date where the money starts coming in. I want to set a policy to review annually to only spend that money on police and code enforcement.”

Councilman Tony Tiscareno added that he would like it better clarified how many times they will meet in a year.

During the discussion, Councilman Gary Agopian stated that he believed that when the decision was made on appointments, the Mayor should include a city councilperson involved. He wanted to ensure a level of trust with the public.

“I am not included to be supportive of members of this board serving on other boards, commissions or committees. That is me personally because I would like to see them meeting at least twice a year, not once a year for a higher level of oversight. There is going to be a degree of establishing trust and accountability,” said Agopian. “The point of this is that the members of the public involved and the public sees the members of the public involved. They need to meet the first year every quarter and as a council we need to hear more information.”

“I like the idea of meeting twice a year, but the police chief can report out every quarter with the crime stats and finances,” said Harper.

“I just want to see this coming together so the public knows and can see this,” responded Agopian.

“We really want oversight, not just check the box,” said Harper. “We really want oversight.”

First year shall hold an organizational meeting and two additional meetings said Jakel. Each future year they can meet “at least” twice.

Selection Process

In the past, the this type of appointment is done by the Mayor, however, Councilman Agopian wanted a councilperson involved.

“I think this one should be a little bit more different because this is a new one for us, I am just going to take a stab at this, I think initially since we are looking at the first seven members, but I think the mayor and one other member of the council at least. When we interviewed for the city manager, we were all involved. But there may be a benefit to the mayor and one other member of the council,” explained Agopian.

He explained that two people coming with a recommendation gives the council a better flavor of who will be on the committee.

“The other thing could happen that that if it gets down to two people and it’s a tough call, you may be opt to say well we had this many candidates and this many we would like to recommend, that is more than we have… we may want to do a lottery system,” said Agopian.

The mayor did not agree a lottery was necessary.

“I don’t think we need a lottery, I am not afraid to make a decision,” said Harper. “We just have to review it and make a decision on the top candidates for the committee. I don’t agree with the lottery part of it.”

Ultimately, the council did not move forward with any lottery within the process, but did approve Agopians suggestion of including a councilperson in the interview process.

To apply:

Visit www.ci.antioch.ca.us and be sure to complete your application by 5:00 pm on January 16, 2014

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14 comments

JRM Dec 14, 2013 - 7:59 am

I hope this is simply a misquote – “because we collect the funds in the rear”… if not, it’s hilarious! Taxes – collected in the rear… too funny.

JimSimmons42 Dec 14, 2013 - 8:10 am

I supported Measure C, however, I am struggling with the fact this council is allowing people who serve on other boards to also serve on this committee. This should be a conflict free, or the appearance of, conflict free committee. A representative of the committee should make a presentation quarterly on how the funds are being spent or what benefit pd and code enforcement have provided to the city.

In The Know Dec 14, 2013 - 8:13 am

Here you go naysayers; here is your chance to step up. Kenji, Karl, Arne, Vince Boomba, Marty Fernandez, Julio and many others. If we don’t even see your name on a submitted application, you are all hypocrites!!!!!!!

karl dietzel Dec 14, 2013 - 9:52 am

@intheknow,

why would anyone serve on a committee which has no decision power?

Arne Dec 14, 2013 - 9:17 am

“In The Know”, it would be inappropriate for the City Clerk to apply for this oversight committee.

In The Know Dec 14, 2013 - 9:30 am

It would be appropriate for an elected city clerk to actually attend city council meetings. I believe you have missed the last few meetings due to an extended vacation

ECVsBother Dec 15, 2013 - 12:21 pm

Arne,
If the Antioch Police PAL advertise on this site, does this mean some of the tax money will go to ECT ? Conflicts are everywhere.

In 'da Know Dec 15, 2013 - 2:43 pm

ECV’s Bother

I keep reading your comments and I’m led to believe you are a very conflicted person. (Making first a crazed assumption and then a confirming statement). Conspiracy theories are a pattern with you. What’s next, the socialist agenda all over again?

You are a mental therapist’s dream date.

ECVsBother Dec 15, 2013 - 5:25 pm

Karl,
My big bro ECV and his cronies always flip flop on what ever it takes to attack someone.They have no real answers so they play bully like the 7th graders.I do not take them seriously. They follow me around. I live in their minds by the way they respond. Quite entertaining at times. One day they will start to contribute rational comments. Until then, they only know how to criticize and attack others.

ECV Dec 15, 2013 - 7:34 pm

ECV’s bother,

Yeah dumbass, keep trying to convince yourself of that. What is even better is that YOU know I am right. Why is it that every decision maker (my cronies?) knows exactly who you are and laughs at the mere mention of your real name. They dismiss you and your notions as comments from a disgruntled kook. We have all known for quite a while that you just can’t help yourself and personally I enjoy that too. Just remember, Payback & Karma is a real bitch.

Sorry nutjob but you are just not that relevant. Ring a bell?

Believing you live in my mind, (or anyone else’s for that matter) is further evidence that you have deep seated issues. You still haven’t figured it out have you? I enjoy that you don’t keep your dysfunctional behavior very well hidden. It’s just a bonus on that crap cake you keep serving up. Yep, it is quite entertaining. If I really wanted to play reality hard ball you would soil yourself. You can’t take much reality so for now consider yourself lucky. I may not feel so generous in the future.

I hope that this little reality check met with your expectations.

ps. In da know, I’m glad that you have figured the little monkey out. It doesn’t take much.

Marty Fernandez Dec 15, 2013 - 7:49 pm

It is inappropriate for any one to question why someone has not performed in their position unless they knew what was happening in their lives. Many Representatives and Senators both federal and state miss many many months and no one has a blinking idea nor do they say a word about it.

By the way, my application for the measure “C” committee is filled out and will be turned in tomorrow. I won’t get it because it is already set in stone and the mayor dislikes me.

EastCountyToday Dec 15, 2013 - 8:48 pm

Kudos to you Marty for applying!

ECV Dec 15, 2013 - 8:51 pm

Good for you Marty, you might be surprised and get the position. I am not a big fan of Mayor Harper, who by his lack of actions is nothing but a mouth piece. It wasn’t that long ago when he stated; “It’s time to go to work and put my money where my mouth is.” We don’t need anymore elected officials from the Federal Glover school of politics.

New energy would be a welcome change.

Reginald Jamal Brown Dec 16, 2013 - 12:10 am

I completely agree.

Comments are closed.