California County News

Too Young to Die: Counties Ranked for Highest Youth Homicide Rates

The Violence Policy Center has released an annual study that compares rates of homicide victimization for Californians ages 10 to 24 by county, race, ethnicity, weapons used, circumstance, and location. According to the stats, Monterey County has the highest youth murder rate for the second year in a row with a rate of 24.36 per 100,000. That being said, Monterey’s rate did drop from 31.24 per 100,000 in 2009. It’s also worth noting that out of the 680 homicide victims between ages 10 to 24, 89% were male and 53% were Hispanic. Josh Sugarmann, who co-authored the study, commented:

“The homicide rates for youth and young adults across California show the urgent need for effective violence-prevention strategies that stress tailored, localized approaches that engage local leaders and community stakeholders."

Here the top 10 counties with the highest rates:

1. Monterey County, 24.36 per 100,000
2. Alameda County, 18.41 per 100,000
3. San Joaquin County, 18.36 per 100,000
4. Tulare County, 18.06 per 100,000
5. Merced County, 13.44 per 100,000
6. Contra Costa County, 12.94 per 100,000
7. Fresno County, 11.61 per 100,000
8. San Francisco County, 11.52 per 100,000
9. Madera County, 11.39 per 100,000
10. Los Angeles County, 11.35 per 100,000

Read more about the study here.

Winter Slump: Controller’s Revenue Update; $165.2 Million Below Projections

Although the governor only just announced his budget for 2012-13, its numbers are already falling below expectations. Controller John Chiang, who released December’s cash update, notes that revenues came in $165.2 million below the latest projections contained in the Governor’s proposed budget. In comparison to the 2011 Budget Act, December revenues were $1.4 billion below estimates. Chiang commented:

“While we saw positive numbers in November, December’s totals failed to meet even the latest revenue projections. Coupled with higher spending tied to unrealized cost savings, these latest revenue figures create growing concern that legislative action may be needed in the near future to ensure that the State can meet its payment obligations.”

There was one bright spot: December’s sales tax totals came in above estimates by $17 million (1.1 percent). Still, personal income taxes were $69.8 million down (-1.4 percent), and corporate taxes also dropped by $19.5 million (-1.4 percent). Hope is on the horizon though, as the Controller notes, “The balance of holiday sales tax receipts will be seen in late January and early February.” As for local governments, and specifically counties, it’s a good sign that sales tax revenues are up, which translates to higher revenues for realignment and since vehicle license registrations have also increased, funds for realignment will also receive another boost.

See December’s financial statement here.

Summary analysis is available here.

Revenues Outlined in Guv’s Tax Plan Disputed by LAO

Governor Brown is doing all he can to hype his tax initiative, which he has proposed in order to raise $7 billion annually in revenues. When he announced his budget, Brown stated he was really committed to paying back the wall of debt and eliminating the deficit, which he argues could be accomplished through the approval of his measure. Then the governor laid out the threats, noting that he would be forced to pull additional trigger cuts if the initiative does not succeed. The Administration’s new budget is a $92.6 billion spending plan and experts have called it the largest ransom note in California political history due to the consequences that have been outlined if Brown doesn’t get his way on the initiative.

However, it’s now been revealed that the LAO and the Department of Finance don’t see eye-to-eye on the amount of revenues the tax proposal will actually generate. According to the LAO’s analysis, the initiative would only raise $4.8 billion, which is $2.1 billion less than what the governor has put forth. The discrepancy in numbers is notable because it could mean deeper cuts or the need for even more revenues. In a joint letter, Legislative Analyst Marc Taylor comments, “The volatility described above makes it difficult to forecast this measure's state revenue gains from high-income taxpayers. As a result, the estimates from our two offices of this measure's annual revenue increases vary."

If the governor’s initiative does in fact take in less revenue than projected by the Administration, it could undercut his promises to CSAC. Brown recently convinced CSAC to drop its own initiative, which was a competing plan that sought to secure funding for realignment. One of the governor’s points of persuasion was that his initiative would have a broader coalition of support and raise more revenue.

On the topic of local government, the governor also made a few comments during his press conference about the release of his budget. He outlined that he wishes to expand realignment and commented, “We should be giving more discretion to cities, counties, and school districts [...] local democracy is as responsive and vigorous as state democracy.”
 
The governor was also asked about redevelopment and he reiterated previous statements made by administration officials. But he did note, “I understand concerns about economic development.” The governor went on to say he cut out redevelopment because the state is short of money, not because he dislikes RDAs. He posited that other services simply must trump the need for redevelopment and that the money has to come from somewhere, noting the state was in a box.

If you haven’t seen it, you can read the governor’s budget here.

Concerns about Double-Taxation Remain as Rural Fire Fee is Revised

The much-hated rural fire fee is back in the news, as a new draft was recently released with several new provisions. The state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection will hold a hearing on January 11th to determine if the latest incarnation will move forward. As a refresher, property owners who fall under State Responsibility Areas (SRA) will have to dole out $150 annually and additional stipulations are sure to enrage critics. For instance, the fee will be $300 if a parcel of land has two single-family homes on it and duplexes will also be subject to the $150 fee. The governor also rejected a smaller fee that was proposed, which would have been $90 due to a series of credits.

There were also previously concerns that jails or hospitals would be charged extra due to ambiguously worded provisions, but new changes state that these types of buildings will be charged the same $150 fee.

Despite strong objections from local government leaders, the administration is sticking to its guns, with Brown commenting that “To me it’s just simple. People need to share the burden of the benefits they receive. That’s the principle.” However, CSAC has called the fee "double-taxation without any additional benefit" for communities that already support local fire stations. The Half Moon Bay reports on how rural residents regard the fee due to concerns about double taxation:

“La Honda stays relatively moist even during the hot summer months and hasn't experienced a major forest fire in over 50 years. Nonetheless, local homeowners agree to pay 1 percent of their property taxes to support the La Honda Fire Brigade, a volunteer fire department that derives most of its annual budget from donations and fundraising. The same goes for Kings Mountain, where residents for decades have held a successful annual art fair to raise money for the local fire station. [A resident] points out a $150 state surcharge would be more than double what he annually pays through taxes and donations for local fire protection.”

Reportedly the fees could take full effect by April. Expect legal challenges, as has been the case with many aspects of the state budget. Taxpayers may be less-than-pleased to hear that of the millions collected, over $3 million will go to the State Board of Equalization as a fee for doing the billing. We relayed previously that while the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection originally revised the fee structure so that rural residents could only be charged a maximum of $90, new appointees to the Board allowed the ultimate fee amount to go higher, as the board was restocked with Brown appointees. The governor took issue with the lowered fee back in August because the Administration and legislators are relying on the revenue for the patched up state budget.

A fact sheet on Cal Fire’s coverage across the state can be seen here.

Governor Convinces CSAC to Abandon Competing Ballot Measure

Governor Brown recently addressed the CSAC Board of Directors at a meeting in Sacramento and the governor is no doubt pleased with the outcome of discussions, as CSAC ultimately agreed to suspend its own initiative that would have sought to secure funding for realignment. Brown made his case to county leaders and urged them to hold off on pushing forward their own separate initiative due to confusion it could cause on the ballot and the opposition of the education lobby on the issue, which could lead to an expensive campaign. Brown noted that his initiative, which would raise taxes and therefore provide funding to counties, contains the same elements of the CSAC-sponsored plan.

That being said, CSAC did not yet vote on whether it would support the governor’s tax proposal. Such a decision will be made at a future meeting.

The governor also vowed to protect counties from a financial standpoint due to the additional responsibilities they have taken on. He also noted that he wants to expand realignment in the future and further shift programs, such as in-home support services. Brown commented, “We want to look at taking over the health, the In-Home Supportive Service, the Medi-Cal, and maybe switching on some of the welfare. So, we're working on that for something we might do next year. We really want to clean up the relationship between state and local government."

One of the governor’s points of persuasion was that his tax initiative would have a broad coalition of support and raise more revenue, and it has already attracted lucrative campaign donations. Brown also noted that if both CSAC and the governor’s initiative plans were to fail, then it could damage relations between the two, as he stated, “If you lose and I lose, and we're starting to squabble. That's not good, is it?"

So while CSAC is getting behind the governor’s plan, there is still some level of risk involved because if it fails, then the opportunity to ensure constitutional protection would not be available until November of 2014.

Farm Bureau Sues Fresno County over Solar Development

Trouble is brewing between property owners, counties, and the state’s Farm Bureau as land is turned over to house solar panels. At the heart of the matter are property rights and the violation of the Williamson Act, which is intended to preserve farm land. If a landowner wants to put up solar panels on land protected by the Williamson Act, then permission must be sought from the county, and when Fresno supervisors offered their blessing, the Farm Bureau ended up suing the county.

KQED notes that the Bureau’s legal decision is notable because “The fight places the Farm Bureau, usually a fierce defender of property rights, in the odd position of squaring off against willing property owners over what they should be able to do with their land.”

Farm Bureau officials are worried about the amount of solar projects proposed for a top agricultural county like Fresno and the effect it could have on production and the conservation of prime farmland.

Questions have been raised about whether farming the sun can be considered farming (and therefore not violate the Act), and many farmers have experienced a desire to make decisions for themselves about their land, and have even suggested experimenting with planting crops next to solar panels. 

Supervisors believe that solar will allow Fresno to diversify the economic base of the county so it will be less reliant on agriculture.

Sacramento Officials Deny Discrimination against Muslim Employee; Lawsuit Filed

Sacramento County is denying allegations that a Muslim employee suffered from discrimination in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The employee, Abdur-Rahim Wasi, began working for the county’s Human Assistance Department during the same year as the terrorist attacks and has sued the county for religious and racial discrimination. A complaint was filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Sacramento officials counter that steps were taken to stop any harassment, but the employee begs to differ.

According to Wasi, he was mocked for expressing concerns about discrimination and that the county has prevented him from being able to properly practice his faith. The Bee reports: “Wasi wanted to leave work for an hour every third Friday to observe an Islamic ceremony, which he's entitled to do under state law. Wasi was willing to work other hours to make up the time, but the county refused, even though at least one other county employee was granted a similar arrangement, the lawsuit states.”

The employee also has taken issue with jokes at his expense and a fake business card that read “Job Club Assassinator.” Wasi is seeking monetary damages, but it is not clear how much.

LAO Reviews Pilot Program in San Bernardino County; Alternative Treatment for ISTs

In response to long waitlists at state hospitals, the Department of Mental Health began a pilot program in San Bernardino County so that those deemed incompetent to stand trial (IST) could be treated in county jails as opposed to state hospitals for treatment. The wait list for such a transfer to state hospitals is often between 200 and 300 individuals a month, hence the creation of the pilot program. Many IST commitments are forced to remain in a county jail before transfer due to staffing and physical space at state hospitals.

In an update, the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office has released a report on the pilot program and has concluded that it provides greater flexibility, reduces costs, and those deemed incompetent to stand trial (IST) have been restored to competency in a shorter amount of time than state hospitals. Overall, treatment at the county level reduced waitlists and was more cost-efficient.

The LAO estimates that counties spend a combined annual total of at least $3.5 million to hold IST commitments in their jails beyond the 35-day period while they wait for a state hospital bed to become available. During the pilot program, the report notes that “San Bernardino County estimates that it has been able to achieve net savings of more than $5,000 for each IST commitment.”

The report concludes:

“We find the pilot program provides less incentive for potential malingerers, has greater flexibility to hold down costs, and is able to restore ISTs to competency in a shorter amount of time than the state hospitals. Additionally, the number of referrals from courts into IST treatment has decreased, possibly because treatment in a county jail is less appealing to defendants who may use a claim of incompetency as a defense strategy to keep out of prison.”

The LAO also advocates that the pilot should be extended into other counties. You can read the full report here. In addition, the LAO released the following video about its report:

CountyNews to Begin the New Year w/ a New Look: Exciting Changes Lie Ahead

CountyNews Readers,

We're kicking off the new year with an exciting announcement. For several months, we’ve been busy preparing for the launch of our first ever full-scale redesign. We decided it was time for a makeover, especially since we’ve grown so much and so quickly over the years. It became readily apparent that we needed to build a new platform that responds to the needs of our expanding audience and the strong demand for quality local government coverage.

We’ve taken great pride in serving our readers with timely information about the politics, policy, and best practices of county governance across the state.  It has also become apparent that CountyNews is also the 'go-to' place for information on critical advocacy efforts, and our new site will feature new ways to not only learn about county issues, but also engage at the local, regional and state level.

Our goal with the new design is to create a comprehensive news site full of new and exciting features. Here are just some of the changes we have in store for you:

• Advocacy Center: Get the latest on key developments in Sacramento impacting counties, and make your voice heard.
• In the market for a new job? We’ll feature an updated, sleek and far more accessible jobs board
• A one-stop shop calendar listing of notable local government-related events
• Improved commenting: We want to hear from you, and our new site will make it that much easier for you to connect with Facebook-integrated comments
• Vendor directory: A one-stop resource for the innovate products and services helping cities serve their residents.

 Reader satisfaction and the loyalty we’ve worked hard to earn were foremost among our concerns about a new look.  Ultimately, this site is about you -- our readers --  and we thank you for your continued interest in our publication.

Please know that we value your input, comments, and suggestions, so any feedback you may have about what you’d like to see more of (or less of) and how we can improve, let us know. We want the new site to be as much yours as it is ours.

Thanks, as always, for your readership and sticking by us all these years. We can’t wait to show you the new site, and we trust you’ll find it a refreshing and compelling change from our current design. Stay tuned for more details as we transition to our new home and we look forward to rolling out the welcome mat.

Best wishes,

The CountyNews Team

Trimming the Fat: San Mateo Looks to Cut Emissions w/ Climate Action Plan

The county of San Mateo is beginning the new year with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, so staff at the county has been crafting a “climate action plan" to decrease 2005 emission levels by 15 percent before the year 2020.

A consulting firm was hired by the county to see through the plan and it has been funded by the federal Department of Energy with a grant of $350,000. Government operations and the county's unincorporated areas in particular will be target for improvements in environmental efficiency.

Some of the options being considered to meet the goal include hefty rebates for energy-saving home improvements, renewable energy initiatives, utilization of the green building program, and enhanced transit corridors. Mercury news reports:

“The county also discovered its government operations generated 41,517 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2005. Building and facility operations produced the most emissions -- 46 percent of that total. Emissions from county employees' commutes made up 37 percent, and official county car use made up 12 percent.”

Solar panels have been used at the county to cut down some emissions, but staff acknowledged that meeting the 15-percent goal by 2020 would be a steep uphill climb.