Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Bloomberg Markets & Finance: High-Quality Munis the 'Way to Go' in Virus Hit Market: Neuberger Berman's Iselin

RE-THINK QUALITY  |  be cautious   | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
116 views
May 13, 2020

Starlink explained - why SpaceX needs 42,000 satellites

Why is SpaceX making Starlink?  
If you’re watching this video, that means you have an internet connection, although you may live in an area with limited providers or network speeds. Still having internet accessibility can improve everything from entertainment, to work, to education, and health care. But 41.3% of the world doesn’t have access to the internet… at all. 
And that’s where SpaceX comes in with Starlink, which is getting very close to launching their service. 
What is it, what are the latest developments, and why should you care?
29,142 views
May 12, 2020
Watch EV Charging Explained: https://youtu.be/3FSMG5KbQkM Full script and citations: https://undecidedmf.com/episodes/2020...

Ever Feel Like This? or Not So Much? Is It A Terror To Be Alone

We are unnecessarily scared of being on our own because we fail to keep in mind the distinction between solitude (a fine condition) and loneliness (a pain). We need to recover a sense of the good sides of being by ourselves - in order to be able to make the right choices around friendship and love.“In the privacy of our minds, one thought – highly shameful by nature – may haunt us as we evaluate whether to stay in or leave an unsatisfactory relationship: what if we were to end things and end up in a place of appalling loneliness? We’re meant to be above such pragmatic worries. Only cowards and reprobates would mind a few weekends (or decades) by themselves. We’ve heard of those books that sing the praises of solitude (the divorcee who relocated to a solitary hut on a bare Scottish island; the one who went sailing around the world in a dinghy). But we can admit that we’re not naturals at this sort of thing: there have been empty days when we almost lost our minds. There was one trip that we took on our own years back that was, behind the scenes, a psychological catastrophe. We’re not really in a position to wave away the dangers of being left alone on our rock…”
Sign up to our new newsletter and get 10% off your first online order of a book, product or class: https://bit.ly/2TMs0dT For books and more from The School of Life, visit our online shop: https://bit.ly/2SSyh6J Our website has classes, articles and products to help you lead a more fulfilled life: https://bit.ly/2zt6iU6 FURTHER READING You can read more on this and other subjects on our blog, here: https://bit.ly/2A9k7HI MORE SCHOOL OF LIFE Visit us in person at our London HQ: https://bit.ly/2yNeP4v

IMPORTANT STUDY SESSION: Mesa City Council Study Session Thu 14 May 2020 @ 07:30 a.m.

What? 
4 Presentations on the agenda with zero
records and no links and no attachments provided???
THAT'S BAD. SO BAD
a new low for Mesa City government 
_________________________________________________________________
VIRTUAL TELECONFERENCE PLATFORM
Public participation will be available electronically.  
> If you want to provide a written comment or speak telephonically at the meeting, please submit an online comment card at least 1 hour prior to the start of the meeting.  

> If you want to speak at the meeting

  • you will need to indicate on the comment card that you would like to speak during the meeting, 
  • and you will need to call 888-788-0099 or 877-853-5247 (toll free) using meeting ID 5301232921 and following the prompts, prior to the start of the meeting.  

You will be able to listen to the meeting; 

  • and when the item you have indicated that you want to speak on is before Council, your line will be taken off mute 
  • and you will be given an opportunity to speak.

_________________________________________________________________
Council Study Session Meeting Notice
To decrease COVID-19 exposure, the City Council Chambers is closed, but public viewing and input on the items are available electronically.
Members of the City Council will appear electronically for meetings, via a video conferencing platform, and the live meeting will be accessible via broadcast and telephonically.
Because of the current public health emergency, the City Council Chambers is closed for Council Meetings. 

For any difficulties accessing this meeting, please call 480-644-2099.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Roll Call 
1 Review and discuss items on the agendas for
the May 18, 2020 regular and Special Council meetings
___________________________________________
2 Presentations/Action Items: 
20-0569 Hear a presentation on the status of City of Mesa recreational facilities and discuss and provide direction on future plans for reopening limited facilities. 2-a 
Note 0 records + No links or attachments 
File #:20-0569   
Type:PresentationStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council Study Session
On agenda:5/14/2020
Title:Hear a presentation on the status of City of Mesa recreational facilities and discuss and provide direction on future plans for reopening limited facilities
_________________________________________________________________
20-0570 Hear a presentation and discuss a new library pick-up/drop-off program, and an overview of the Mesa CARES Community Resource Call Center. 2-b 
Note 0 records + No links or attachments 
File #:20-0570   
Type:PresentationStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council
On agenda:5/14/2020
Title:Hear a presentation and discuss a new library pick-up/drop-off program, and an overview of the Mesa CARES Community Resource Call Center.
________________________________________________________________
20-0571 (Item 2-c)
>Hear a presentation on the City’s existing programs for homeless prevention and services, and 
> hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on staff recommendations for future federal funding allocations to supplement these existing homelessness programs, and 
> provide direction on two new proposed program concepts in response to COVID-19: 
1) Operation Off the Streets-for Everyone’s Health and Safety
2) emergency homeless housing through an asset acquisition. 
Note 0 records + No links or attachments  
File #:20-0571   
Type:PresentationStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council Study Session
On agenda:5/14/2020
Title:Hear a presentation on the City’s existing programs for homeless prevention and services, and hear a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on staff recommendations for future federal funding allocations to supplement these existing homelessness programs, and provide direction on two new proposed program concepts in response to COVID-19: 1) Operation Off the Streets-for Everyone’s Health and Safety; and 2) emergency homeless housing through an asset acquisition.
20-0572 Hear a presentation and discuss a proposed utility assistance program to be administered by Mesa CAN to be funded by CARES stimulus funding. 2-d 
 Note: 0 records + No links or attachments 
File #:20-0572   
Type:PresentationStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council Study Session
On agenda:5/14/2020
Title:Hear a presentation and discuss a proposed utility assistance program to be administered by Mesa CAN to be funded by CARES stimulus funding.
________________________________________________________________
3 Acknowledge receipt of minutes of various boards and committees. 
3-a 20-0567 Judicial Advisory Board meeting held on February 5, 2020
File #:20-0567   
Type:MinutesStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council Study Session
On agenda:5/14/2020
Title:Judicial Advisory Board meeting held on February 5, 2020.
Attachments:1. February 5, 2020 Judicial Advisory Board
3-b 20-0565 Economic Development Advisory Board meeting held on March 3, 2020
File #:20-0565   
Type:MinutesStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council Study Session
On agenda:5/14/2020
Title:Economic Development Advisory Board meeting held on March 3, 2020.
Attachments:1. 2020-03-03 City of Mesa EDAB Approved Meeting Minutes

3-c 20-0582 Housing and Community Development Advisory Board meeting held on February 19, 2020
File #:20-0582   
Type:MinutesStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council Study Session
On agenda:5/14/2020
Title:Housing and Community Development Advisory Board meeting held on February 19, 2020.
Attachments:1. Housing and Community Development Advisory Board Feb 19, 2020

__________________________________________________________________
4 Current events summary including meetings and conferences attended

5 Scheduling of meetings.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Time-To-Play Hard Ball > Special Mesa City Council Hearing (Virtual Platform) Mon 18 May 2020

No more surrogates who stand-in for City Manager Chris Brady, no going into 15 years on the job as the City's chief executive officer. 
By now the passive-aggressive Brady "owns" this budget where he exercises strong-arm tactics behind-the-scenes while sending a cast of characters to take the heat in the hot seat.



_________________________________________________________________
File #:20-0559   
Type:Public HearingStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council
On agenda:5/18/2020
Title:A public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget and the proposed Fiscal Year 2020-21 Secondary Property Tax Levy. (materials attached)
Attachments:1. Council Report

_________________________________________________________________
File #:20-0558   
Type:ResolutionStatus:Agenda Ready
In control:City Council
On agenda:5/18/2020
Title:A resolution approving the budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021. (5 votes required
_______________________________________________________________
7-Page Council Report
City Council Report 
Date: June 1, 2020 
To: City Council 
Through: 
  • Michael Kennington, Deputy City Manager/Chief Financial Officer 
  • Irma Ashworth, Finance Director 
From: Ryan Wimmer, Treasurer 
Subject: Fiscal Year 2020-21 Secondary Property Tax Rate and Levy 

Purpose 
This action approves the levy of a secondary property tax on taxable property in the City of Mesa for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21. 
The levy can only be used to pay principal and interest on debt service from general obligation bonds issued to finance capital infrastructure.
The proposed FY 2020-21 secondary property tax levy and tax rate are: 
Levy = $41,737,203 
Rate = $1.1171 per $100 of taxable value Since the value of taxable property in the City increased by 6% in FY 2020-21, the proposed secondary property tax rate is reduced by 6% to maintain a $41.7 million total levy. 
The annual impact to the typical Mesa homeowner remains at $160 (see Figure 1 below). Figure 1. Mesa Secondary Property Tax Levy and Rate: FY19-20 to FY20-21 FY19-20 FY 20-21 Proposed $ Change % Change Secondary Property Tax Levy (Taxable Value * Tax Rate) $41.7 million $41.7 million $0 0% Secondary Property Tax Rate (per $100 of Taxable Value) $1.1870 $1.1171 -$0.0699 -6% Annual Cost to Median Homeowner $160 $160 $0 0% Of the 6.3% increase in taxable property value in FY 2020-21, 3.6% was due to appreciation of existing property and 2.7% from new construction (see Figure 2 below). 2 Figure 2. City of Mesa Net Assessed Value (NAV): FY19-20 to FY20-21 FY19-20 FY20-21 $ Change % Change Net Assessed Value (NAV) (taxable value) $3.52 Billion $3.74 Billion +$220 Million +6.3% Appreciation of Existing Property +$126 Million +3.6% New Property + $94 Million +2.7% New property represents construction of homes, buildings, equipment, etc. that add to the base of property value in the City. Background Projects Funded by Secondary Property Tax Revenue The proposed FY 2020-21 property tax is levied to pay debt service payments for:  Streets bonds approved by Mesa voters in 2008 and 2013  Public Safety bonds approved by Mesa voters in 2008, 2013, and 2018  Parks and Culture (including Library) bonds approved by Mesa voters in 2012 and 2018  Court, Public Safety, Library, Parks, and Streets bonds issued before 2008. The City Council has previously approved the use of secondary property tax revenue to pay debt service on bonds approved by Mesa voters prior to 2008 in order to free up General Fund revenues to pay for City operating costs including two City fire stations which opened in FY 2009-10 and FY 2012-13. History of Secondary Property Tax Since FY 2009-10, the City of Mesa has levied a secondary property tax to pay for debt service on general obligation bonds. Unless new general obligation bonds are authorized by voters, or the Council provides direction to alter the levy, the tax rate is adjusted to maintain the same levy from one fiscal year to the next. The City’s practice is to fully adjust the levy in the fiscal year following a successful bond election. The City uses the tax levy (not the tax rate) to manage secondary property tax. The amount of the levy is intended to fund the annual cost of debt service over the life of the authorized bonds. State law (A.R.S. §35-458(A)) limits the amount of a secondary property tax levy to the projected general obligation principal and interest due, plus a reasonable delinquency factor. Accumulated fund balance to pay general obligation debt service is limited to 10% of the current fiscal year debt service payment. In general obligation bond authorizations approved by Mesa voters in the 2008, 2012, 3 2013, and 2018 elections, ballot language stated that the issuance of the bonds would result in a property tax increase sufficient to pay the annual debt service on the bonds. The City of Mesa does not currently levy a primary property tax. Discussion Property Tax Calculation Property tax is calculated as follows: property value * tax rate = tax levy A property’s value is determined annually by either the County Assessor or State Department of Revenue. The property tax rate is set by governing bodies as a dollar amount per $100 of taxable value. The property tax levy is the property value multiplied by the tax rate and is the dollar amount of property tax owed. Relative Size of Mesa’s Property Tax Levy City property tax represents between 7% and 11% of a Mesa resident’s total property tax bill (depending on the area of the City). The largest portion of a resident’s tax bill (from 39% to 59%) is paid to public school districts. Figure 3 below shows how the property tax dollar of a resident in the Mesa and Higley public school districts is divided by various taxing jurisdictions. Mesa residents also live in the Gilbert, Queen Creek, and Tempe public school districts. A graphic for each public school district (as well as two additional graphics for residents of the Cadence and Eastmark community facilities districts) is attached to this report. 4 Figure 3: Property Tax Dollar of Mesa Resident (Mesa & Higley School Districts) Property Value Arizona property owners pay property tax based in proportion to the value (ad valorem) of the property. The property value used for one fiscal year is based on market values from around two years prior to allow time for review and appeals. For example, the assessed value used in FY 2020-21 is based on property valuations from mid-2017 to mid-2018. Each parcel of property in the State of Arizona is given a full cash value (FCV), which is based on the market value. Each parcel also has a limited property value (LPV), which is used for property tax purposes. A new full cash value (FCV) is determined annually and does not have an annual increase restriction. For most types of property, the limited property value (LPV) is increased by 5% each year but cannot exceed the full cash value (FCV). For all types of property, limited property value (LPV) cannot exceed full cash value (FCV). The use of limited property value (LPV) for property tax purposes moderates the short- 5 term impact of rapid property value increases. Figure 4 below shows both the full cash value (FCV) and limited property values (LPV) in Mesa for the past decade. Figure 4. City of Mesa – Property Value by Fiscal Year The full cash value of property in the City used for FY 2020-21 increased by 11%. Property valuation changes vary by classification of property (see Figure 5 below). Figure 5. City of Mesa Full Cash Value by Property Class: FY19-20 to FY20-21 Class Description FY19-20 FY20-21 $ Change % Change 1 Commercial $ 8.0 B $ 8.7 B +$0.7 B +10% 2 Land/Agriculture $ 5.9 B $ 6.3 B +$0.4 B + 7% 3 Primary Residential $21.9 B $24.5 B +$2.6 B +12% 4 Rental $11.4 B $12.7 B +$1.3 B +12% Other Miscellaneous $ 0.4 B $ 0.5 B +$0.1 B +29% TOTAL $47.5 B $52.8 B +$5.3 B +11% Taxable Property The limited property value (LPV) is used as a starting point to calculate the taxable value of a property, called net assessed value (NAV). An assessment ratio is applied 6 to the limited property value (LPV) based on property classification to determine a property’s “assessed value”. The assessment ratio is 10% for residential property, 18% for commercial property, and 15% for vacant land. Exempt property (not-for-profit, governmental, etc.) is netted (subtracted) out of the assessed value, resulting in a property’s “net assessed value”. Net assessed value is the value of the property that is subject to taxation. See the calculation from limited property value (LPV) to net assessed value (NAV) in Figure 6 below. Figure 6. Taxable Property Value Calculation Limited Property Value (LPV) x Assessment Ratio (10% for residential) = Assessed Value (AV) – Exemptions = Net Assessed Value (NAV) City of Mesa secondary net assessed value for recent fiscal years is shown in Figure 7 below. Figure 7. City of Mesa – Net Assessed Value by Fiscal Year 7 The FY 2020-21 median values of a Mesa residential property are shown in Figure 8 below. Figure 8. City of Mesa FY 2020-21 Median Property Values Property Value Median Value Description Limited Property Value (LPV) $143,050 Taxable value; limited to 5% annual growth Full Cash Value (FCV) $209,800 Upper limit on taxable value; a percentage of sale value Sale Value (estimate) $255,900 Estimated sale price Alternatives The Council may choose not to levy a secondary property tax or to levy any rate and amount less than proposed. A reduction to the proposed levy and rate would necessitate:  the payment of general obligation debt service with the General Fund, which would draw down reserves or require reductions to General Fund services provided by the City (police, fire/medical, library, parks, etc.), or  a restructuring of scheduled debt service payments in order to delay payments, increasing and costs in future years as well as total interest costs. The property tax levy cannot legally be greater than proposed because secondary property tax can only be used to pay for general obligation debt service and the proposed levy is sufficient to fully fund general obligation debt service due in FY 2020- 21. Fiscal Impact Adopting the proposed secondary property tax levy and rate would allow the City to meet its general obligation debt service obligations as planned. The secondary property tax levy is an important piece in maintaining the fiscal stability of the City. 

The Full-Force of Federal Stimulus > Yes You Will Feel It

. . . or is this guy Extrapolating way too much?
May.12 -- Jeff Henriksen, founder of Thorpe Abbots Capital, discusses behavioral economics, market values and Covid-19 response investment. He speaks on “Bloomberg Markets: European Open.”
263 views
May 12, 2020

Zelensky Calls for a European Army as He Slams EU Leaders’ Response

      Jan 23, 2026 During the EU Summit yesterday, the EU leaders ...