YUBA CITY (MPG) - The transparency surrounding a one-cent tax increase on the upcoming November ballot is glaring.

If passed, Yuba City officials have clarified that they are not in control of the proposed 17.5 million raised that needed city improvements. Councilmember Marc Boomgaarden and Vice-Mayor Dave Shaw addressed the need for a citizens advisory committee in May.

That conversation continued at the June 18 regularly scheduled council meeting, when City Manager Diana Langley stood before Mayor Shon Harris and the council with tasks, objectives, composition and committee member qualifications.  

"Since December of 2022, the City Council has evaluated a potential revenue measure and we had an Ad Hoc committee with Mayor Harris and Councilmember Boomgarden," Langley said, adding other recommendations include sharing a portion of the revenues with Sutter County for services benefiting Yuba City residents. “It’s important because at the July 16 council meeting, this item will be coming for the potential of placing the revenue measure on the ballot."

Along with the ad hoc committee, city officials conducted public information sessions, dedicated a portion of the city website to the revenue measure and informed the public through op-ed reports; all to remain transparent. Often asked about "the power" the committee will have, Boomgaarden said he is encouraged by the detailed description of authority and thanked Langley for attending to the task early since he is also often asked about the council's intentions.

"Is it going to be spent the way you said it was going to be spent," Boomgaarden said of the repeated question he is asked.  

According to Langley, more than one public information session discussed the need for an oversight group, noting that "we wanted to bring forth the structure, so individuals know what the intent is."

Some tasks include reviewing annual independent financial audits for tax revenue funds.  

"They would then prepare a report for the City Council to understand how the funds were budgeted and spent," Langley said, adding along with other authority, the group retains power to submit the committee's annual report to the Sutter County Grand Jury. "This is key."

"If they deemed it necessary that they were concerned with how the money was spent or budgeted, they could submit their report directly to the Grand Jury without council authorization," the city manager said.

The five-member standing committee will include only Yuba City residents and business owners who are at least 18 years old and registered to vote.

Appointments include an application reviewed by the mayor, city manager and finance director.

"But ultimately, the City Council would approve the appointments to this committee," Langley said.

The term for the first round includes two members serving two-year terms and three members serving three-year terms.

"Every appointment thereafter would be based on a three-year term," Langley said.

Volunteer members must complete ethics training and file statements of economic interest. They must also attend at least two annual meetings, which will become public records. Langley said discussions are delayed until the November election but "Should it be successful then, the council would adopt an ordinance to create the committee. Until then, the council could adopt a resolution for the tasks and more.”

Like Boomgarden, Mayor Harris said he too often hears the "common" question of authority over funds, solidifying the need for an oversight committee.  

"Not only is it good business, it helps sell the idea and builds a level of trust for folks out there," Harris said before asking how the funds fall into the General Fund account. "How will they critique the money if it is all in the same pot?"  

That is when the finance director steps in, according to Langley, who said a specific revenue account would be created, setting aside the one-percent revenues.

Ultimately, it's all about accountability, according to Councilmember Dave Shaw.

"That's been the problem with previous rev measures," Shaw said. "So this is huge."