REBUTTAL TO PRO-INCORPORATION ARGUMENT:
There is no provision for citizen oversight in the model for a contract-city proposed by the proponents of incorporation. A 5-member autocratic town council and Planning Commission will control 16,700 citizens of our community.
Every county and city government, including any future town, faces enormous fiscal pressure to survive. Increased contract-service fees in 2009-2010, including police, impacts real revenue estimates stated in the LAFCO 2006-2007 CFA. To propose incorporation of Alamo during the greatest economic meltdown since the Great Depression is reckless and irresponsible.
The State agency, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), did not conclusively demonstrate stringent, tough, requirements by approving a 2006-07 fiscal analysis. On the contrary, prior to approval, a majority of LAFCO Commissioners' expressed serious concern of cost assumptions contained in the 2006-07 Certified Fiscal Analysis (CFA).
The 3000 Alamo residents who signed the petition circulated by proponents of Alamo Incorporation Movement (AIM) did not sign the petition to bring the incorporation question to a vote. The petition for the incorporation of the town of Alamo, submitted with the application to LAFCO, contains the following words:
"Your signature on this Petition does not commit you to support the incorporation of the Town of Alamo."
"YOUR DECISION TO SUPPORT OR REJECT INCORPORATION, REMAINS ENTIRELY IN YOUR HANDS."
Proponents of AIM continue to spin their web of deception and misinformation in a zealous quest to turn our community into a contract-city, in partnership with a fiscally irresponsible County government. THERE IS NO RETURN FROM INCORPORATION, EVER!
PRIMARY ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE A
VOTER INFORMATION PAMPHLET
MARCH 3, 2009
THE INCORPORATION OF ALAMO WOULD BE TOXIC TO OUR COMMUNITY: incorporation is permanent and irreversible!
· Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis (CFA) based 2006-07 economic data:
o Reduction in income from State revenue distribution to counties, cities and the proposed town of Alamo will have significant impact on current and future budgets as the recession grows ever deeper. The new town will not have the fiscal resources its supporters are expecting.
· Increase in Taxes:
When costs surpass revenues, the town will reduce services or increase taxes and fees. The three-million-dollars ($3,000,000) negotiated with the County is debt burden which, if unpaid, will be assessed to your property tax.
· Public Safety and Law Enforcement - Loss of State Highway Patrol
After the first year of incorporation, town council could cut costs by negotiating cheaper contracts with other law enforcement agencies. No other agency has the infrastructure, depth of resources or history Alamo has with the Sheriff. The consequences of loss of highway patrol, and quality of law enforcement by other agencies is unknown.
· CA Mandate: "The Fair Share of Regional Housing"
State Law decrees every incorporated community MUST grow. California provides guidance on how to alter local zoning laws and circumvent density requirements to accommodate the law. Higher density will INCREASE traffic at the intersection of Stone Valley Road, Danville Boulevard, and other areas as well as INCREASING the need for higher costs for road maintenance.
· Local Control –AIM Has Proposed An Autocratic-Gatekeeper Government
AIM wants16,700 citizens to support a five-neighbor town council and Planning Commission in a community already built out. But, worst of all, in the severest financial melt down since the GREAT DEPRESSION, AIM has proposed a BAD DEAL in their quest to control our community.
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