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Measure
INITIATIVE MEASURE TO BE DIRECTLY SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS
The City Attorney has prepared the following title and summary of the chief purpose and points of the proposed Measure, pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9203.
INITIATIVE MEASURE FOR ADOPTION OF A ONE PERCENT (1%) TRANSACTION AND USE (“SALES”) TAX FOR SPECIFIED CITY SERVICES.
This citizen-sponsored initiative measure would, if approved by a majority of the voters, adopt a transaction and use tax in the City of Redding at the rate of one percent (1%). This kind of tax is often called a “sales tax.” If adopted, this measure would raise the total sales tax rate in Redding to eight and one-quarter percent (8.25%). The proceeds from this tax would be legally restricted to specified uses within the initiative as follows:
- REDDING POLICE DEPARTMENT: Twelve percent (12%) to be spent on additional staffing, equipment and facilities of the Redding Police Department.
- SHASTA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Twelve percent (12%) to be spent on custody operations and jail capacity of the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office through agreement between the County of Shasta and the City of Redding. If the City and County cannot reach an agreement within two (2) years, this allocation would be shifted to the Redding Police Department.
- REDDING FIRE DEPARTMENT: Thirteen percent (13%) on specified activities of the Redding Fire Department, including construction and staffing of fire stations, the purchase of equipment, and fire mitigation efforts. A minimum of three and one-half percent (3.5%) must be spent on fire mitigation efforts.
- ROADS: Thirty percent (30%) to be spent on roads and transportation facilities.
- REDDING REGIONAL AIRPORT: Five percent (5%) to be spent on building and staffing of an additional terminal and general operations of airport facilities.
- PARKS: Nine percent (9%) to be spent on the construction, improvement, and maintenance of City parks, including the Redding Sports Park (2.75%), California Soccer Park (1.75%), South City Park (1.75%), Panorama Park (1.5%), Caldwell Park, Lake Redding Park, and the Redding Aquatics Center (collectively 1.25%).
- NORTHERN RIVERFRONT PUBLIC FACILITIES: Nine percent (9%) to be spent on the construction, improvement, and maintenance of public facilities on the Northern Riverfront, including the Rodeo Grounds (3%) and Civic Auditorium (6%).
- DISCRETIONARY: Ten percent (10%) to be allocated by the City Council pursuant to its regular budget process.
The allocation among these categories cannot be altered without a new vote of the people. After the first five (5) years, however, the ordinance allows the City Council to change spending within these categories, by four-fifths (4/5) vote. For example, in year six (6), the City Council could shift some of the nine percent (9%) parks allocation from Caldwell Park to Redding Sports Park, but it could not move that money from parks to roads.
The ordinance also requires the creation of a Citizen’s Advisory Committee and the performance of annual independent audits. The Citizen’s Advisory Committee is responsible for reviewing and commenting on the use of tax proceeds and may recommend uses of any unallocated funding. The independent audits must be made public, with an opportunity for public comment, at a meet of the City Council.
Adopting of this measure requires a simple majority vote.
CITY OF REDDING
California ORDINANCE 2025- _____
AN INITIATIVE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REDDING IMPOSING A SPECIAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TAX AND FEE ADMINISTRATION
The People of the City of Redding Do Ordain as Follows:
Section 1. Title. This ordinance shall be known as the Redding Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Parks Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance. The City of Redding is referenced in this ordinance as “City.” This ordinance shall be applicable in the incorporated territory of the City.
Section 2. Operative Date. “Operative Date” means the first day of a calendar quarter commencing more than 110 days after the adoption of this ordinance. For purposes of Revenue and Taxation Code section 7265, this ordinance shall be considered adopted on the date of the election in which it is approved by the qualified voters of the City.
Section 3. Purpose. This ordinance is adopted to achieve the following, among other purposes, and directs that the provisions hereof be interpreted in order to accomplish those purposes:
A. To impose a retail transactions and use tax in accordance with the provisions of Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and Section 7285.91 of Part 1.7 of Division 2 which authorizes the City to adopt this tax ordinance which shall be operative because the electors voting on the measure voted to approve the imposition of the tax at an election called for that purpose.
B. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that incorporates provisions identical to those of the Sales and Use Tax Law of the State of California insofar as those provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements and limitations contained in Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
C. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that imposes a tax and provides a measure therefor that can be administered and collected by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration in a manner that adapts itself as fully as practicable to, and requires the least possible deviation from, the existing statutory and administrative procedures followed by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration in administering and collecting the California State Sales and Use Taxes.
D. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that can be administered in a manner that will be, to the greatest degree possible, consistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, minimize the cost of collecting the transactions and use taxes, and at the same time, minimize the burden of record keeping upon persons subject to taxation under the provisions of this ordinance.
E. To provide dedicated funding for essential local services, including PUBLIC SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE, and PARKS, ensuring that the City of Redding has the necessary resources to maintain and enhance these critical community assets.
F. To ensure that all revenue generated by this tax remains within the City of Redding, rather than being sent to Sacramento, so that local tax dollars directly benefit residents through investments in law enforcement, fire protection, road maintenance, recreational facilities, and other essential city services.
G. To establish a transparent and accountable system for the allocation and expenditure of tax revenue, as detailed in the “Expenditure Plan,” which specifies how funds will be distributed to meet the City’s priorities for public safety, infrastructure, and parks.
H. To impose and administer this retail transactions and use tax in a manner consistent with state law, while ensuring that collection and oversight are conducted efficiently and with minimal administrative burden.
Section 4. Contract With State. Prior to the Operative Date, the City shall contract with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to perform all functions incident to the administration and operation of this transactions and use tax ordinance; provided, that if the City shall not have contracted with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration prior to the Operative Date, it shall nevertheless so contract and in such case the Operative Date shall be the first day of the first calendar quarter following the execution of such a contract.
Section 5. Transactions Tax Rate. For the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retail, a tax is hereby imposed upon all retailers in the incorporated territory of the City at the rate of 1 percent of the gross receipts of any retailer from the sale of all tangible personal property sold at retail in said territory on and after the Operative Date of this ordinance.
Section 6. Place of Sale. For the purposes of this ordinance, all retail sales are consummated at the place of business of the retailer unless the tangible personal property sold is delivered by the retailer or his agent to an out-of-state destination or to a common carrier for delivery to an out-of-state destination. The gross receipts from such sales shall include delivery charges, when such charges are subject to the state sales and use tax, regardless of the place to which delivery is made. In the event a retailer has no permanent place of business in the State or has more than one place of business, the place or places at which the retail sales are consummated shall be determined under the rules and regulations to be prescribed and adopted by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
Section 7. Use Tax Rate. An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use or other consumption in the City of tangible personal property purchased from any retailer on and after the Operative Date of this ordinance for storage, use or other consumption in said territory at the rate of 1 percent of the sales price of the property. The sales price shall include delivery charges when such charges are subject to state sales or use tax regardless of the place to which delivery is made.
Section 8. Adoption of Provisions of State Law. Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance and except insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, all of the provisions of Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code are hereby adopted and made a part of this ordinance as though fully set forth herein.
Section 9. Limitations on Adoption of State Law and Collection of Use Taxes. In adopting the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code:
A. Whenever the State of California is named or referred to as the taxing agency, the name of this City shall be substituted therefor. However, the substitution shall not be made when:
1. The word “State” is used as a part of the title of State Controller, State Treasurer, State Treasury, or the Constitution of the State of California;
2. The result of that substitution would require action to be taken by or against this City or any agency, officer, or employee thereof rather than by or against the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, in performing the functions incident to the administration or operation of this ordinance.
3 In those sections, including, but not necessarily limited to sections referring to the exterior boundaries of the State of California, where the result of the substitution would be to:
a. Provide an exemption from this tax with respect to certain sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property which would not otherwise be exempt from this tax while such sales, storage, use or other consumption remain subject to tax by the State under the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
b. Impose this tax with respect to certain sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property which would not be subject to tax by the state under the said provision of that code.
4. In Sections 6701, 6702 (except in the last sentence thereof), 6711, 6715, 6737, 6797 or 6828 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
B. The word “City” shall be substituted for the word “State” in the phrase “retailer engaged in business in this state” in Section 6203 and in the definition of that phrase in Section 6203.
Section 10. Permit Not Required. If a seller’s permit has been issued to a retailer under Section 6067 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, an additional transactor’s permit shall not be required by this ordinance.
Section 11. Exemptions and Exclusions.
A. There shall be excluded from the measure of the transactions tax and the use tax the amount of any sales tax or use tax imposed by the State of California or by any city, city and county, or county pursuant to the Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law or the amount of any state-administered transactions or use tax.
B. There are exempted from the computation of the amount of transactions tax the gross receipts from:
1. Sales of tangible personal property, other than fuel or petroleum products, to operators of aircraft to be used or consumed principally outside the county in which the sale is made and directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as common carriers of persons or property under the authority of the laws of this State, the United States, or any foreign government.
2. Sales of property to be used outside the City which is shipped to a point outside the City, pursuant to the contract of sale, by delivery to such point by the retailer or his agent, or by delivery by the retailer to a carrier for shipment to a consignee at such point. For the purposes of this paragraph, delivery to a point outside the City shall be satisfied:
a. With respect to vehicles (other than commercial vehicles) subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with Section 21411 of the Public Utilities Code, and undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5 (commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code by registration to an out-of-City address and by a declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer, stating that such address in, in fact, his or her principal place of residence; and
b. With respect to commercial vehicles, by registration to a place of business out-of-City and declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer, that the vehicle will be operated from that address.
3. The sale of tangible personal property if the seller is obligated to furnish the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the operative date of this ordinance.
4. A lease of tangible personal property which is a continuing sale of such property, for any period of time for which the lessor is obligated to lease the property for an amount fixed by the lease prior to the Operative Date of this ordinance.
5. For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this section, the sale or lease of tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether or not such right is exercised.
C. There are exempted from the use tax imposed by this ordinance, the storage, use or other consumption in this City of tangible personal property:
1. The gross receipts from the sale of which have been subject to a transactions tax under any state-administered transactions and use tax ordinance.
2. Other than fuel or petroleum products purchased by operators of aircraft and used or consumed by such operators directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as common carriers of persons or property for hire or compensation under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to the laws of this State, the United States, or any foreign government. This exemption is in addition to the exemptions provided in Sections 6366 and 6366.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State of California.
3. If the purchaser is obligated to purchase the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the Operative Date of this ordinance.
4. If the possession of, or the exercise of any right or power over, the tangible personal property arises under a lease which is a continuing purchase of such property for any period of time for which the lessee is obligated to lease the property for an amount fixed by a lease prior to the Operative Date of this ordinance.
5. For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this section, storage, use, or other consumption, or possession of, or exercise of any right or power over, tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether or not such right is exercised.
6. Except as provided in subparagraph (7), a retailer engaged in business in the City shall not be required to collect use tax from the purchaser of tangible personal property, unless the retailer ships or delivers the property into the City or participates within the City in making the sale of the property, including, but not limited to, soliciting or receiving the order, either directly or indirectly, at a place of business of the retailer in the City or through any representative, agent, canvasser, solicitor, subsidiary, or person in the City under the authority of the retailer.
7. “A retailer engaged in business in the City” shall also include any retailer of any of the following: vehicles subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with Section 21411 of the Public Utilities Code, or undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5 (commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code. That retailer shall be required to collect use tax from any purchaser who registers or licenses the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft at an address in the City.
D. Any person subject to use tax under this ordinance may credit against that tax any transactions tax or reimbursement for transactions tax paid to a district imposing, or retailer liable for a transactions tax pursuant to Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code with respect to the sale to the person of the property the storage, use or other consumption of which is subject to the use tax.
Section 12. Amendments. All amendments subsequent to the effective date of this ordinance to Part 1 or Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code relating to sales and use taxes and which are not inconsistent with Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and all amendments to Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, shall automatically become a part of this ordinance, provided however, that no such amendment shall operate so as to affect the rate of tax imposed by this ordinance.
Section 13. Enjoining Collection Forbidden. No injunction or writ of mandate or other legal or equitable process shall issue in any suit, action or proceeding in any court against the State or the City, or against any officer of the State or the City, to prevent or enjoin the collection under this ordinance, or Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, of any tax or any amount of tax required to be collected.
Section 14. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Section 15. Effective Date. This ordinance relates to the levying and collecting of the City transactions and use taxes and shall take effect immediately.
Section 16. Termination Date. The authority to levy the tax imposed by this ordinance shall continue indefinitely, until ended by Redding voters.
Section 17. Use of Tax Proceeds and Expenditure Plan. All proceeds of the tax levied and imposed hereunder shall be accounted for and paid into a special fund designated for use by the City only for the purposes set forth in the Expenditure Plan for the administration and expenditure of tax proceeds, attached to this ordinance as Exhibit 1. The Expenditure Plan may be amended from time to time by a four-fifths majority vote of the City Council commencing in the sixth fiscal year following certification of the adoption of the tax, provided that the funds reappropriated from such a project or activity are appropriated for another expenditure in the same category of public services (i.e., police, fire, roads, airport, parks, Northern Riverfront). The City is hereby authorized to incur indebtedness in the form of bonds, notes, contractual obligations or other evidences of indebtedness authorized by law to finance or refinance costs described herein, and to pay any and all costs of issuing or incurring such indebtedness, to fund reserve funds, capitalized interest, costs of capital enhancement, costs of interest rate hedging arrangements or any other financing costs associated with such indebtedness. Expenditures of the funds designated as “unallocated” shall be made at the direction of the City Council after receiving a recommendation from the Citizens Advisory Committee.
Section 18. Citizens Advisory Committee.
A. The City Council shall establish a Citizens Advisory Committee by ordinance, with each Councilmember appointing one member and the Council as a whole designating its chair from among its members. The Council may also provide for up to four additional members appointed by the Council as a whole. In appointing members, the City Council and its members shall endeavor to represent a wide-range of community stakeholders, such as Redding Chamber of Commerce, the Shasta County Board of Education, Redding Rodeo Executive Boardmembers, Redding Civic Auditorium Operator, the Redding Rancheria, the City’s Community Services Advisory Commission, the Redding Tourism and Marketing Group and others.
B. The initial members appointed shall classify themselves by lot or agreement or both so that three members serve an initial four-year term and two serve an initial twoyear term. Thereafter, all committee members shall serve four-year terms or until their successors are appointed and qualified. Once appointed, members may not be removed except for by a four-fifths majority vote of the City Council for such cause as would be sufficient to terminate an employee represented by the City’s largest bargaining unit.
C. The Committee shall meet not less than annually after the audit referenced in Section 19 or this Ordinance is available for the Committee’s review. This Committee may review and comment on use of the proceeds of the tax and may provide recommendations to the City Council for use of unallocated, excess, or funds available once capital improvement projects are completed and paid in full.
Section 19. Audits. At least annually the City shall arrange for an independent audit of the receipts and expenditures of the proceeds of the tax, make that audit publicly available, and allow public comment on it at a meeting of the City Council.