TO: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
FROM: JEREMY STARKEY, FINANCE DIRECTOR
DATE: JULY 8, 2025
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE 2025-26 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND TAX RATE FOR THE LEVY OF AN AD VALOREM TAX TO BE COLLECTED TO MAKE DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS ON OUTSTANDING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS ISSUED TO FINANCE THE ACQUISITION OF JOHNSON’S PASTURE
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SUMMARY
On August 21, 2007, the City issued $9,655,000 in General Obligation Bonds, Series 2007, to finance the acquisition of Johnson’s Pasture. The City refinanced these outstanding bonds in 2016 with the issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2016, to obtain more favorable interest rates for the purpose of reducing annual debt service costs.
The City is obligated to levy an annual ad valorem tax upon all taxable properties within the City for payment of the bond principal and interest. Each year, the rate of the ad valorem tax levy must be calculated based on changes in the assessed value of taxable properties within the City of Claremont.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO LEVY A TAX ON ALL REAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF CLAREMONT AS A VOTER APPROVED LEVY WITH RESPECT TO THE CITY’S GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND APPROVED BY THE VOTERS AT THE NOVEMBER 7, 2006 STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO FUND THE ACQUISITION OF JOHNSON’S PASTURE.
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ALTERNATIVE TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the staff recommendation, there is the following alternative:
• Request additional information.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The proposed tax rate will ensure that sufficient funds are received from the property tax levy to cover the debt service payment. The debt service requirement for 2025-26 for the 2016 General Obligation Refunding Bonds is $501,050. To collect sufficient funds to ensure that this requirement is met, an ad valorem tax levied by the County of Los Angeles of $0.006904 per $100 of assessed value (0.006904%) must be assessed on each taxable parcel within the City. The tax rate is calculated each year based on changes in the assessed value of property in Claremont. The tax rate for the prior year was $0.007127 per $100 of assessed value (0.007127%).
It is important to note that debt service payments on the 2016 General Obligation Refunding Bonds will be fully funded through this tax levy. No General Fund or other City funds will be required to fund the debt service payments.
The cost to prepare and complete this report is estimated at $623. This cost is in staff time to prepare the report and is included in the operating budget of the Financial Services Department.
ANALYSIS
The City’s annual debt service requirement on the 2016 General Obligation Bonds for 2025-26 is $501,050. By adopting the proposed resolution (Attachment A), the City authorizes the County of Los Angeles to levy the tax at a rate of $0.006904 per $100 of assessed valuation (0.006904%) on property tax bills issued for 2025-26.
A detailed breakdown of this calculation is included as Attachment B. The tax rate is calculated by taking the annual required debt service payment and dividing it by the net assessed valuation, less a delinquency factor.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: General Plan and the 2024-26 Budget.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by:
Jeremy Starkey
Finance Director
Attachments:
A - Resolution Establishing the 2025-26 General Obligation Bond Tax Rate
B - 2025-26 General Obligation Bond Tax Rate Calculation