Issue 10 - September 20, 2007
Annual Report Mailed to Residents
This week, Ventura residents will receive a report marking the second anniversary of the adoption of the City's General Plan in 2005.
The full-color, 28-page mailer details in pictures and briefs what we have accomplished over the past two years, projects for "the road ahead," and ways residents can work as partners with the City to further our 10 strategic visions for a community that is: natural, prosperous, well planned, accessible, sustainable, active, safe, educated, creative and involved.
Achieving our vision is a job for the entire community, not just city government, and active citizens are key to success. The report builds on two previous "Annual Report Cards to the Community," published as broadsheets in the Ventura County Star, with more detailed information and tools for residents to e-mail, call, and "click and connect" to share vital feedback.
Utility Users Tax (UUT) Measure C7
Measure C7 -- the "communications users tax" -- will go before Ventura voters in the November 6 election. This tax, first authorized in 1961, generates $2.8 million annual General Fund Utility User Tax (UUT) revenue for the City of Ventura. Police, fire protection, road maintenance, parks and beach clean-ups are paid for, in part, by Ventura's UUT. Majority voter approval is required to update and re-authorize this nearly 50-year old ordinance.
Currently, Venturans pay a 5% "Telephone Tax" and a 5% "Cable Television Tax" on their bills for these services. Measure C7 would reduce the existing UUT rate from 5% to 4.5% for all "land line" telephone, cell phone and cable TV services. Measure C7 will not tax Internet access. Measure C7 will make Ventura's UUT ordinance compliant with state and federal law.
For more information about Measure C7, including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), a letter from the CFO, Jay Panzica, or a copy of the Ballot Argument in Favor of Measure C7 as well as the Argument Against -- visit the UUT/C7 webpage.
Tells Us What You Think: Six-question Survey
The City of Ventura is committed to partnering with residents to fulfill the vision of an involved community. The Ventura City Council and City staff feel that a community where diversity and creative problem solving are embraced, will lead to a better quality of life in our community. In order to serve you better, please take a moment to evaluate one of our communication tools, the Achieving Our Vision E-newsletter.
City Manager Blog
City Manager Rick Cole gives immediate insight into breaking news. His latest post discusses the "Annual Report" that residents will receive in their inbox this week. The Annual Report provides information on how we are doing in implementing the General Plan, what we have accomplished, the work that lies ahead and ways residents can connect with the City:
"This week, Ventura residents will be receiving a "Two Year Report" on how Ventura is doing in actually implementing the General Plan passed in August of 2005. This is the third of our "annual reports" that include a "report card" on progress toward achieving the community's strategic visions."
City of Ventura eNews: Achieving Our Vision
If you would like to receive Achieving Our Vision via email, please click here.
Current and past issues of Achieving Our Vision can be found online at http://www.cityofventura.net/enews/smartgrowth.
Masthead Art: katherinemcguire.com
