REPORT TO PUBLIC FACILITIES FINANCING CORPORATION (PFFC)
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the City of Santa Clara Public Facilities Financing Corporation
Federal and State Income Tax Exempt Reporting for Fiscal Year 2023/24
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
The City Council established the City of Santa Clara Public Facilities Financing Corporation (PFFC) in 1997. The PFFC’s purpose is mainly to render financial assistance to the City of Santa Clara by financing, refinancing, acquiring, constructing, improving, leasing, and selling of City facilities. The PFFC is the issuing agency for the 2013 Refunding Certificates of Participation (COPs), which refunded: (1) the outstanding 2002A COPs for the construction of the City’s Central Park Library, and (2) the 2023 Wastewater Revenue COPs for the construction of the San Jose/Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility Project.
Established as a tax-exempt organization, the PFFC is required to annually file Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990. Form 990 is required to be accepted by the organization’s governing body prior to its filing. Once approved by the Board, it will be transmitted to the IRS. This tax form should be filed by the 15th day of the 5th month after the end of the City’s accounting period of June 30th, which is November 15th. However, the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) was not completed until December 2024 and an extension was requested and granted by the IRS. Therefore, the revised deadline to file Form 990 for 2023/2024 fiscal year is now May 15, 2025.
DISCUSSION
Form 990 is the reporting form that federally tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS each year. This form allows the IRS and the public to evaluate the operations of federally tax-exempt organizations. As an organization exempt from income tax, the PFFC is required to file Form 990 under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The PFFC is also required to file the State of California Franchise Tax Board Form 199, Exempt Organization Annual Information Return, which is the State’s equivalent to the IRS Form 990.
A copy of both the 2023 Form 990 (Attachment 1) and Form 199 (Attachment 2) for the period commencing July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, which was prepared by a certified public accounting firm (Maze & Associates) on PFFC’s behalf, are available to the public on the City’s website and at the City Clerk’s Office.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to section 15378(b)(4) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations in that it is a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Preparation of IRS Form 990 and State Form 199 was included in the cost of the contract with the City’s external auditor, Maze & Associates, at a cost of $961. Funding for this engagement was included in the FY 2024/25 Adopted Budget.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours before a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Authorize the Executive Director, or designee, to file the 2023 Internal Revenue Service Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax) and the State of California Form 199 (Exempt Organization Annual Information Return) on behalf of the City of Santa Clara Public Facilities Financing Corporation.
Staff
Reviewed by: Kenn Lee, Director of Finance
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, Executive Director
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2023 Federal Form 990
2. 2023 State Form 199