Measure I
City-Sponsored Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) No Tax Increase, Public Safety, Neighborhood Services Measure
Shall the City of Oxnard-sponsored measure to continue current funding for Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) and maintain community safety, enhanced police protection, neighborhood/park patrols, keeping public areas clean, safe, well- maintained, including parks, open space; maintain flood protection, without any increase to the existing maximum tax rate, continuing ongoing public disclosure of spending and annual reports — be adopted?
CITY ATTORNEY IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE I
Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) was created to pay for specific services for the RiverPark community. Currently, funds generated by CFD No. 5 pay for a range of services including:
- Maintaining all the parks and open space areas within RiverPark.
- Maintaining sports fields used for youth baseball and soccer.
- Helping to maintain a gymnasium used for youth sports activities.
- Funding flood and storm protection services.
- Funding additional police protection services.
The stated purpose of Measure I is to “[e]nsure that CFD No. 5 continues to collect the special taxes necessary to provide the range of services and amenities within the RiverPark community that currently exists…“; and “[e]nsure that the collection and use of CFD No. 5 special taxes are not eliminated reduced and/or restricted by one or more of the three initiatives filed by the Proponents [Measure J, K and L].”
Measure I would accomplish this by readopting one table in the CFD No. 5 formation documents in its entirety with no changes (Table 1 to Exhibit B of Resolution No. 12,936). This table sets the base maximum tax for the 13 categories of land use within CFD No. 5 as of the formation of the special district.
In addition, Measure I would amend an exhibit in the CFD No. 5 formation documents (Exhibit B of Resolution No. 12,936) to eliminate specific allowable uses for CFD 5 funding that are currently not being provided to the residents of CFD No. 5: fire protection and suppression services; ambulance and paramedic services; recreation program services, library services; and operation and maintenance of museums and cultural facilities. If these allowable uses of CFD No. 5 funds are eliminated by Measure I, then these uses cannot be added again except by a 2/3rds vote at a separate election of CFD No. 5 registered voters.
Because approval of Measure I would not result in the imposition or extension of a special tax within CFD No. 5 (this tax currently exists) and would not increase the existing rate of tax for CFD No. 5, Measure I only needs a simple majority of the votes cast to be adopted.
Measure I was placed on the ballot by the City Council acting as the legislative body of Community Facilities District No. 5.
Stephen M. Fischer Oxnard City Attorney
The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure I. If you would like a copy of the measure, please call the City Attorney’s office at (805) 385-7483 and a copy will be mailed to you at no cost. You may also access the full text of the measure and other election materials on the City’s home page at www.oxnard.gov.
City Attorney Impartial Analysis for Measure I
Download a PDF of the Impartial Analysis
1.02 MB PDF | Updated 08/06/24
On June 18, 2024, the Oxnard City Council adopted a resolution calling for an election to be held on November 5, 2024 to consider the adoption of a measure titled “City-Sponsored Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) No Tax Increase, Public Safety, Neighborhood Services Measure.”
Resolution No. 15,805 Calling for Election
A PDF of Resolution No. 15,805
470.67 KB PDF | Updated 08/06/24
Measure J
Repeal of Community Facilities No. 5 (RiverPark) Special Taxes
Shall an ordinance to repeal all special taxes specific to RiverPark (Community Facilities District No. 5), eliminating funding for extra police protection services, neighborhood/park patrols within RiverPark, eliminating funding for maintenance of RiverPark parks and open space, sports fields used for youth baseball and soccer, trails, dog parks at enhanced service levels, eliminating funding for landscaping maintenance, flood and storm protection services — be adopted?
CITY ATTORNEY IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE J
Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) was created to pay for specific services for the RiverPark community. Funds generated by CFD No. 5 currently pay for a range of services, including:
- Maintaining all of the parks and open space areas within RiverPark.
- Maintaining sports fields used for youth baseball and soccer.
- Helping to maintain a gymnasium used for youth sports activities.
- Funding flood and storm protection services.
- Funding additional police protection services.
Measure J would eliminate all the funding generated by CFD No. 5. Measure J would accomplish this by removing the ability of CFD No. 5 to collect any taxes. As such, if Measure J is approved by voters and becomes effective, then on and after June 30, 2025, no funding would be generated by CFD No. 5 to pay for specific services for the RiverPark community.
The language of Measure J states that – following the adoption of Measure J – the properties within the District shall “receive no less than the standard municipal services generally offered throughout the City[.]” Measure J does not define “standard municipal services”, and such term is not defined in the Oxnard City Code or other City documents.
However, under existing City regulations, the City of Oxnard will not make up the difference in funding reductions except in very limited circumstances. Pursuant to City of Oxnard Ordinance No. 3047, which adopted Oxnard City Code Section 2- 225:
“If residents of a Community Facilities District…vote to terminate or substantially reduce the funding for their CFD…, then the City Council is prohibited from using money from the General Fund or other City–controlled funding sources to make up for the loss of the CFD…funding. The only exception is when specific services are required to be provided in order to protect the public health, safety or welfare.”
Measure J was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the requisite number of voters.
Stephen M. Fischer Oxnard City Attorney
The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure J. If you would like a copy of the measure, please call the City Attorney’s office at (805) 385-7483 and a copy will be mailed to you at no cost. You may also access the full text of the measure and other election materials on the City’s home page at www.oxnard.gov.
City Attorney Impartial Analysis for Measure J
Download a PDF of the Impartial Analysis
924.78 KB PDF | Updated 08/06/24
On June 18, 2024, the Oxnard City Council adopted a resolution calling for an election to be held on November 5, 2024, to consider the adoption of a measure titled “Repeal of Community Facilities No. 5 (RiverPark) Special Taxes.”
Resolution No. 15,806 Calling for Election
Download a PDF of Resolution No. 15,806
565.32 KB PDF | Updated 08/06/24
On May 21, 2024, the Oxnard City Council ordered a report under Elections Code Section 9212 to assess the impacts of three initiatives. The report could cover various effect of the initiatives, including:
- Fiscal impact
- Impact on infrastructure and public facilities
- Impact on community health and safety
Russ Branson Consulting was commissioned to conduct an Independent Analysis of the three initiatives (now called Measures J, K and L) on Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 5 in RiverPark. The consultant’s report reviewed the impact of three voter initiatives:
- Repeal of Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) Special Taxes—”RiverPark CFD Repeal” (Measure J)
- Reduction of the Maximum Special Taxes That Can Be Imposed Within Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark)—”RiverPark CFD Tax Reduction” (Measure K)
- Limitations on Uses of Special Taxes for Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark)—”RiverPark CFD Special Tax Limitations” (Measure L)
Download a copy of the Independent Report.
Measure K
Reduction of the Maximum Special Taxes That Can Be Imposed Within Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark)
Shall an ordinance reducing potential funding by half for RiverPark’s enhanced police protection, patrols within RiverPark, reducing potential funding by half for maintaining RiverPark parks, open space, sports fields for youth baseball/soccer, reducing potential funding by half for landscaping, reducing potential funding by half for flood/storm protection services, by reducing by half the maximum special taxes for Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) — be adopted?
CITY ATTORNEY IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE K
Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) was created to pay for specific services for the RiverPark community. Funds generated by CFD No. 5 currently pay for a range of services, including:
- Maintaining all of the parks and open space areas within RiverPark.
- Maintaining sports fields used for youth baseball and soccer.
- Helping to maintain a gymnasium used for youth sports activities.
- Funding flood and storm protection services.
- Funding additional police protection services.
When CFD No. 5 was formed, the formation documents established the maximum amount of special taxes (the “max tax“) that can be imposed on each type of development (Land Use Class) within CFD No. 5. These Land Use Classes included single family homes (attached and detached), high density properties, and non–residential properties. The amount of the “max tax” for each Land Use Class increases between 2% and 5% each year based upon the Consumer Price Index.
Currently, CFD No. 5 imposes assessments on each Land Use Class that is 64.28 percent of the existing “max tax” based upon a budget of $4,335,290 for fiscal year 2024/2025.
Measure K would reduce the amount of the “max tax” for CFD No. 5 by 50 percent (i.e. to 50 percent of its existing maximum tax rate). Based upon the current CFD No. 5 budget for fiscal year 2024/2025, if Measure K is approved by voters, this would result an estimated budget reduction for CFD No. 5 of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2025/2026.
This level of reduction would represent a 23 percent reduction in spending in the annual budget for CFD No. 5- thus requiring reductions in the services funded by CFD No. 5 within RiverPark in order to balance the CFD No. 5 budget.
Under existing City regulations, the City of Oxnard will not make up the difference in funding reductions except in very limited circumstances. Pursuant to Ordinance No. 3047, which adopted Oxnard City Code Section 2-225:
“If residents of a Community Facilities District…vote to terminate or substantially reduce the funding for their CFD…, then the City Council is prohibited from using money from the General Fund or other City–controlled funding sources to make up for the loss of the CFD…funding. The only exception is when specific services are required to be provided in order to protect the public health, safety or welfare.”
Measure K was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the requisite number of voters.
Stephen M. Fischer Oxnard City Attorney
The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure K. If you would like a copy of the measure, please call the City Attorney’s office at (805) 385-7483 and a copy will be mailed to you at no cost. You may also access the full text of the measure and other election materials on the City’s home page at www.oxnard.gov.
City Attorney Impartial Analysis for Measure K
Download PDF of the Impartial Analysis
1.11 MB PDF | Updated 08/06/24
On June 18, 2024, the Oxnard City Council adopted a resolution calling for an election to be held on November 5, 2024, to consider the adoption of a measure titled “Reduction of the Maximum Special Taxes That Can Be Imposed Within Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark).”
Resolution No. 15,807 Calling for Election
A PDF of Resolution No. 15,807
320.86 KB PDF | Updated 08/06/24
On May 21, 2024, the Oxnard City Council ordered a report under Elections Code Section 9212 to assess the impacts of three initiatives. The report could cover various effect of the initiatives, including:
- Fiscal impact
- Impact on infrastructure and public facilities
- Impact on community health and safety
Russ Branson Consulting was commissioned to conduct an Independent Analysis of the three initiatives (now called Measures J, K and L) on Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 5 in RiverPark. The consultant’s report reviewed the impact of three voter initiatives:
- Repeal of Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) Special Taxes—”RiverPark CFD Repeal” (Measure J)
- Reduction of the Maximum Special Taxes That Can Be Imposed Within Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark)—”RiverPark CFD Tax Reduction” (Measure K)
- Limitations on Uses of Special Taxes for Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark)—”RiverPark CFD Special Tax Limitations” (Measure L)
Download a copy of the Independent Report.
Measure L
Limitations on Uses of Special Taxes for Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark)
Shall an ordinance imposing limits on how Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) (CFD) funding is used – including limiting police protection services, reducing CFD funding available for flood and storm protection services, prohibiting using CFD funding to maintain sports fields for youth baseball and soccer, and limiting CFD funding for maintenance of parks, parkways and open space to beyond that of “standard municipal services” – be adopted?
CITY ATTORNEY IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE L
Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) was created to pay for specific services for the RiverPark community. Currently, funds generated by CFD No. 5 pay for a range of services including:
- Maintaining all of the parks and open space areas within RiverPark.
- Maintaining sports fields used for youth baseball and soccer.
- Helping to maintain a gymnasium used for youth sports activities.
- Funding flood and storm protection services.
- Funding additional police protection services.
Measure L would impose limits on how CFD No. 5 funding is used, including:
- Limit CFD funding for maintenance of parks, parkways and open space to beyond that of “standard municipal services” (less revenues derived from rentals of the parks) and paying for third–party services and City–provided utilities.
- Prohibit use of CFD funding to maintain sports fields within RiverPark for youth baseball and soccer and prohibit use of CFD funding to help maintain a gymnasium used for youth sports activities. (Measure L prohibits CFD funding for maintenance of elementary and secondary school sites and structures.)
- Restrict CFD funding for flood and storm protection services to beyond “standard municipal services” and paying third party vendors who directly provide the services.
- Limit additional police protection services to one supplemental officer or the full–time equivalent, excluding overtime costs.
- Prohibit use of CFD funding for recreation program services, library services, operation and maintenance of museums and cultural facilities, and ambulance and paramedic services. None of these services have ever been funded by the CFD.
- Limit annual cost of running the CFD and administering third–party contracts to $100,000, with capped Consumer Price Index adjustments.
- Prohibit CFD payments for fire protection and suppression services. These services are currently not funded by the CFD. Pursuant to Resolution 15,504, the City cannot impose this obligation without a specific process that includes written notice to all property owners within the CFD and a public hearing before the City Council.
The fiscal impact of Measure L is difficult to determine because Measure L would require that CFD revenues only be used to fund certain services beyond that of “standard municipal services”. However, the term “standard municipal services” is not defined by Measure L or City regulations. The independent 9212 Report analysis prepared for the City Council estimated that there would be a loss of revenue of $2,268,143 if Measure L was adopted; however, that loss of revenue would be impacted by how much funding, if any, the City of Oxnard contributes toward the undefined “standard municipal services” within RiverPark, including parks, landscaping and stormwater.
However, pursuant to Oxnard City Code Section 2-225:
“If residents of a Community Facilities District…vote to terminate or substantially reduce the funding for their CFD…, then the City Council is prohibited from using money from the General Fund or other City–controlled funding sources to make up for the loss of the CFD…funding. The only exception is when specific services are required to be provided in order to protect the public health, safety or welfare.”
Measure L was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the requisite number of voters.
Stephen M. Fischer Oxnard City Attorney
The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure L. If you would like a copy of the measure, please call the City Attorney’s office at (805) 385-7483 and a copy will be mailed to you at no cost. You may also access the full text of the measure and other election materials on the City’s home page at www.oxnard.gov.
City Attorney Impartial Analysis for Measure L
A PDF of the Impartial Analysis
1.44 MB PDF | Updated 08/06/24
On June 18, 2024, the Oxnard City Council adopted a resolution calling for an election to be held on November 5, 2024, to consider the adoption of a measure titled “Limitations on Uses of Special Taxes for Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark).”
Resolution No. 15,808 Calling for Election
A PDF of Resolution No. 15,808
334.24 KB PDF | Updated 08/06/24
On May 21, 2024, the Oxnard City Council ordered a report under Elections Code Section 9212 to assess the impacts of three initiatives. The report could cover various effect of the initiatives, including:
- Fiscal impact
- Impact on infrastructure and public facilities
- Impact on community health and safety
Russ Branson Consulting was commissioned to conduct an Independent Analysis of the three initiatives (now called Measures J, K and L) on Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 5 in RiverPark. The consultant’s report reviewed the impact of three voter initiatives:
- Repeal of Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark) Special Taxes—”RiverPark CFD Repeal” (Measure J)
- Reduction of the Maximum Special Taxes That Can Be Imposed Within Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark)—”RiverPark CFD Tax Reduction” (Measure K)
- Limitations on Uses of Special Taxes for Community Facilities District No. 5 (RiverPark)—”RiverPark CFD Special Tax Limitations” (Measure L)
Download a copy of the Independent Report.
RiverPark Informational Town Hall Meeting
On Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, Oxnard City Manager Alexander Nguyen and staff members provided additional information about the RiverPark ballot measures during a virtual meeting.
To view the previous Town Hall meeting hosted on Thursday, September 5, 2024, please click on the following link: RiverPark Informational Town Hall meeting.