Meyers Nave’s Public Finance Group has the expertise and skill
to offer our public agency clients access to capital markets through the issuance
of taxable and tax-exempt public financing instruments. Our attorneys and staff
are committed to the goal of assisting local governments with their financing
needs. Every financing transaction receives the highest level of attention from
our entire staff.
Our attorneys have special expertise in revenue and taxation matters such as
Proposition 218, Proposition 13, special and general tax matters. As we represent
numerous small and large public agencies, serving as their bond counsel is convenient
and cost-effective.
As bond counsel, our attorneys have represented state financing agencies and
municipalities in the issuance of governmental debt, including tax allocation
bonds. We also have expertise in forming issuing entities. As issuers’
counsel, our attorneys have recently represented the Redevelopment Agency of
the City of Pittsburg, City of Pittsburg Public Financing Authority, El Cerrito
Public Financing Authority, Water Replenishment District of Southern California
and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Desert Hot Springs. In addition
to these recent issuances, we have represented the communities of Cloverdale,
Grass Valley, Healdsburg, Pinole, Greenfield, Gonzales, Union City and other
entities in connection with the issuance of taxable and tax-exempt debt.
Land-Secured Financing
Our attorneys provide clients with assistance in special tax and assessment
financing focusing on infrastructure financing techniques that primarily use
land-secured revenues such as assessments or special taxes levied on benefited
property, to pay for public improvements. The principal financing techniques
used in infrastructure finance are:
- Special Assessment Bonds
- Mello-Roos/Community Facilities District ("CFD") Special Tax Bonds
- Joint Powers Authority Financings
- Integrated Financing Districts
- Charter City Proceedings
- Marks-Roos Pooled Financings
We have an active assessment foreclosure practice capable of handling judicial
foreclosures of 1913/1915 Act assessments and Mello Roos special taxes. We have
been involved in various projects financed with special assessments, Mello-Roos
or Marks-Roos bonds such as:
- streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters
- landscaping, lighting and utility undergrounding
- school sites and facilities, including portable classrooms
- infrastructure for shopping centers, business parks and industrial parks
- public parking
- bridges and highway interchanges
- storm drainage
- wastewater collection systems, treatment and disposal facilities
- water supply, storage, treatment and distribution facilities
- parks and recreation facilities, including acquisition of open space
- light rail
- seismic safety improvements
- flood control improvements
- wetlands replacement and protection
- freeway interchanges
School Finance
Our firm represents some of the state's largest school districts and educational
institutions including the Los Angeles Unified School District, Oakland Unified
School District, the University of California Regents and the San Francisco
Unified School District. The firm counts a former General Counsel of San Francisco
Unified School District as integral to its school law practice.
We have counseled clients on public contracting and construction matters related
to work paid for by Prop. 39 bonds and on charter school facilities funding
requirements under Prop. 39.
We frequently provide advice related to all aspects of school construction,
from design to close-out. One of our attorneys served as the San Francisco Unified
School District Board’s Special Counsel for the District’s successful
passage of its 2003 $350 million G.O. bond. We are skilled in interfacing with
City and County representatives, community groups, other bond counsel, financial
consultants, the citizens’ oversight committees, and other stakeholders.
Tax Levy Procedures
Our attorneys help public agency clients determine the types of taxes they can
impose and help them comply with the substantive and procedural requirements
of Propositions 13, 62 and 218, Article 13, Section 1 of the Constitution, state
statutes and ever-evolving court decisions. We have prepared ballot measures
for a number of public entities to approve general or special taxes and have
successfully assisted clients in complying with Proposition 218's requirements.
Revenue Bond Financing
Our attorneys have extensive experience with municipal revenue sources, including
developer impact fees, assessments and taxes. We have advised a number of cities
regarding the legal requirements to adopt development impact fees for transportation,
park, public facilities, water, sewer and drainage improvements. We have also
advised clients with respect to assessments, including Landscaping and Lighting
Act assessments.
Tax Counsel
Meyers Nave has an agreement with Perry Israel to provide our clients with his
tax counsel services. Mr. Israel is a 103 tax lawyer, concentrating on the tax
aspects of public finance, post-issurance compliance, and defending IRS examinations.
He also works on related tax matters, including low-income housing tax credits
and mortgage credit certificates. For more information about Mr. Israel please
visit his website.
Head of Group Contact:
Sky Woodruff
e-mail: swoodruff@meyersnave.com
To Request Additional Information:
Call Client Relations at 510.808.2000 or
send an e-mail to: info@meyersnave.com
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