RES 2024025 - Laserfiche WebLink

43 Cybersecurity The City, like many other public and private entities, relies on computer and other digital networks and systems to conduct its operations. As a recipient and provider of personal, private or other sensitive electronic information, the City is potentially subject to multiple cyber threats, including without limitation hacking, viruses, ransomware, malware and other attacks. No assurance can be given that the City’s efforts to manage cyber threats and attacks will be successful in all cases, or that any such attack will not materially impact the operations or finances of the City or the Water System, or the administration of the 2024 Bonds. The City is also reliant on other entities and service providers in connection with the operation of the Water System and the administration of the 2024 Bonds, including without limitation, the City’s wholesale water provider, the Trustee and the dissemination agent. No assurance can be given that the City and these other entities will not be affected by cyber threats and attacks in a manner that may affect the Bond owners. Initiative Measure Relating to Water Revenues On February 1, 2023, the California Secretary of State announced that a ballot initiative, designated as Initiative 1935 and known as the “Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act,” had received the required number of signatures to appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot. If approved by a majority of voters casting a ballot at the November 5, 2024 Statewide election, Initiative 1935 would make numerous significant changes to Article XIII, XIIIA, XIIIC and XIIID of the California Constitution to further limit the authority of local governments, and electors via the initiative process, to adopt and impose taxes and fees. The full text of Initiative 1935 may be viewed at the website of the California Attorney General. Among other things: • Initiative 1935 would amend Article XIIIC to state that every levy, charge or exaction of any kind imposed by local law is either a “tax” or an “exempt charge,” and would amend the definition of “tax” added to Article XIIIC by Proposition 26 to state that “every levy, charge, or exaction of any kind imposed by a local law that is not an exempt charge” constitutes a tax. Initiative 1935 narrows the definition of “exempt charge” to mean a “reasonable charge for a specific government service or product provided directly to the payor that is not provided to those not charged, and which does not exceed the actual costs [as opposed to the reasonable costs] of providing the service or product to the payor.” “Exempt charges” also encompasses existing exceptions from the definition of “tax” added to Article XIIIC by Proposition 26. “Actual costs” is defined in Initiative 1935 to mean “the minimum amount necessary to reimburse the government for the cost of providing the service or product to the payor…where the amount charged is not used by the government for any purpose other than reimbursing that cost. In computing “actual cost” the maximum amount that may be imposed is the actual cost less all other sources of revenue including, but not limited to taxes, other exempt charges, grants, and state or federal funds received to provide such service or product.” Initiative 1935 would retain an exemption from the definition of “tax” for assessment, fees or charges which are subject to Article XIIID. • Initiative 1935 would amend Article XIIIC to state that only the governing body of a local government, or an elector acting pursuant to the initiative power, has the