As your candidate for City Council, I, Kennith Peterson along with Mark Schwing & Nancy Rikel have signed and are committed to the Yorba Linda Taxpayer Bill of Rights. You can see the signed document at YLTaxPledge.com
Preamble:
I am committed to the principle that all tax revenue belongs to and comes from the residents / taxpayers. I shall always seek to make wise and fiscally conservative decisions, which are in the best interests of all Yorba Linda residents.
As your Yorba Linda elected official I shall:
- Ensure that local government spending stays within our means. "OC Watchdog" in the Orange County Register recently reported that Yorba Linda is the most fiscally sound city in Orange County. I will continue to seek to balance the Yorba Linda City budget and continue to pursue sound and fiscally conservative financial decisions benefiting all Yorba Linda residents.
- Ensure that all City contracts are reviewed for cost savings. The recent competitive bidding process implemented for the police services contract showed that taxpayers were overpaying by millions of dollars. The fiscal year 2012-13 police services contract was $11.4 million. As a result of competitive bidding, Yorba Linda residents will be paying $9.2 million in fiscal year 2013-14. The new police contract will save over $10 million in 5 years and increase patrol hours by 20% with all levels of enhanced service.
- Ensure the City maintains a healthy reserve, which may be drawn upon in time of emergency, such as the 2008 Freeway Complex Fire. Reserves should not be used for employee salaries and pensions, as well as service contracts.
- Ensure landscape assessment districts represent a partnership between residents (who fund these districts) and the City, which provides and maintains our beautiful landscapes throughout the community. I shall further ensure any contemplated assessment increases must result only from significant public participation, a clear understanding of the needs of residents and community landscapes and will require resident voter approval.
- Ensure City employee pensions reflect and are based upon our economic resources and the ability to provide employees such benefits. I will seek the appropriate levels of employee contributions and funding.
- Ensure all City financial decision-making is based on sound fiscally conservative principles, thereby protecting and wisely spending the revenues provided by the residents.
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