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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 CON Hinderliter, De LLamas and Assoc - Sales Tax Audit and Information ServicesAGREEMENT FOR SALES TAX AUDIT AND INFORMATION SERVICES This Agreement is made and entered into as of the 14th day of July , 1998 by and between the CITY OF NATIONAL CITY a municipal corporation hereinafter called CITY, and HINDERLI1'ER, DE LLAMAS AND ASSOCIATES a California Corporation, hereinafter called CONTRACTOR. I. RECITALS WHEREAS, sales tax revenues can be increased through: a system of continuous monitoring, identification and correction of "point of sale" allocation errors, and WHEREAS, an effective program of sales tax management will improve identification of sales tax opportunities as they relate to economic development and provide for more accurate sales tax forecasting; and WHEREAS, CITY desires the combination of data entry, report preparation, and data analysis necessary to effectively manage the municipal sales tax base and recover revenues erroneously allocated to other jurisdictions and allocation pools; and WHEREAS, CONTRACTOR has the programs, equipment and personnel required to deliver the sales tax services referenced herein; THEREFORE, CITY and CONTRACTOR, for the consideration hereinafter described, mutually agree as follows: 1 II. SERVICES The CONTRACTOR shall perform the following services: A. Sales tax and economic analysis 1. CONTRACTOR shall establish a special data base that identifies the name, address and quarterly allocations of the major sales tax producers within the CITY for the most current and previous five quarters from the date of this agreement, or longer, if the CITY has historical sales tax data available on computer readable magnetic media that extends beyond the most recent five quarters. A second data base covering the same period will be established showing total sales tax receipts for each business category identified by the Board of . Equalization. These data bases will be utilized to generate special reports to the CITY on: major sales tax producers by rank and category, analysis of sales tax activity by category, business district or redevelopment area specified by CITY, analysis of reporting aberrations, and per capita and outlet comparisons with state wide sales. 2. CONTRACTOR shall provide up -dated reports each quarter identifying changes in sales by major outlets and by category; area growth and decline comparisons; and current graphics, tables, and top 100 listings. Quarterly aberrations due to State audits, fund transfers, and receivables along with late or double payments will be identified. ' Quarterly reconciliation worksheets to assist finance officer with budget forecasting will be included. 3. CONTRACTOR will additionally provide an analysis for the CITY or its Community Development Commission to share with Chambers of Commerce •2 and other economic development interest groups that analyze CITY'S sales tax trends by major groups, and geographic areas without disclosing confidential information. 4. CONTRACTOR shall make available to CITY Staff the HdL DATA computer program and data base containing sellers permit information for all in -city business outlets, registered with the Board of Equalization. In addition, contractor shall process for CITY the monthly registration and allocation files provided by the Board in magnetic media. Printouts of registration changes and dollars allocated by business name and number will be provided from these files on a monthly basis. B. Allocation Audit and Recovery 1. CONTRACTOR shall conduct an initial and on -going sales tax audit in order to identify and correct "point -of -sale" distribution errors and thereby generate previously unrealized sales tax income for the CITY. Common errors that will be monitored and corrected include: transposition errors resulting in misallocations; erroneous consolidation of multiple outlets; misreporting of "point of sale" from the wrong location; delays in reporting new outlets; misidentifying transactions as a "use tax" rather than a "sales tax," and erroneous fund transfers and adjustments. 2. CONTRACTOR will initiate contacts with the appropriate sales management and accounting officials in companies that have businesses where a probability of error exists to verify whether current tax receipts accurately reflect the local sales activity. Such contacts will be conducted in a professional and courteous manner so as to encourage local business retention and expansion. 3. CONTRACTOR shall prepare and submit to the Board of Equalization all information necessary to correct any allocation errors that are 'identified and shall follow-up with the individual businesses and the State Board of Equalization to ensure that all back quarter payments due the CITY are recovered. 4. If during the course of its -audit, CONTRACTOR finds businesses located in the CITY that are properly reporting sales tax but have the potential for modifying their operation to provide an even greater share to the CITY, CONTRACTOR shall so'advise CTTY and upon request, shall work with those businesses and the CITY to encourage such changes. C. On Going Consultation Throughout the term of this agreement, CONTRACTOR shall advise and work with CITY and Community Development Commission Staffs on questions -related to tenant mix alternatives for maximum sales tax returns; advise CITY Business License staff on utilization of reports to enhance business license collection efforts; provide sales tax projections on specific projects for redevelopment negotiation and CITY budget purposes; and provide data support to enhance the sales tax base through improved economic development efforts. III. CONFIDENTIALITY Section 7056 of the State of California Revenue and Taxation code specifically limits the disclosure of confidential taxpayer information contained in the records of the. State Board of Equalization. This section specifies the conditions under which a CITY may authorize persons other than CITY officers and employees to examine State Sales and Use Tax records. V The following conditions specified in Section 7056 (b), (1) of the State of California Revenue and Taxation Code are hereby made part of this agreement. A. CONTRACTOR is authorized by this Agreement to examine sales or transactions and use tax records of the Board of Equalization provided to CITY pursuant to contract under the Bradley -Burns Uniform Sales and Use Tax Law. B. CONTRACTOR is required to disclose information contained in, or derived from, those sales or transactions and use tax records only to an officer or employee of the CITY who is authorized by resolution to examine the information. C. CONTRACTOR is prohibited from performing consulting services for a retailer, as defined in California Revenue & Taxation Code Section 6015, during the term of this Agreement. D. CONTRACTOR is prohibited from retaining the information contained in, or derived from those sales or transactions and use tax, records, after this Agreement has expired. Information obtained by examination of Board of Equalization records shall be used only for purposes related to collection of local sales and use tax or for other governmental functions of the CITY as set forth by resolution adopted pursuant to Section 7056 (b) of the Revenue and Taxation Code. The resolution shall designate the CONTRACTOR as a person, authorized to examine sales and use tax records and certify that this Agreement meets the requirements set forth above and in Section 7056 (b), (1) of the Revenue and Taxation Code. IV. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION In performing its duties under this agreement, CONTRACTOR will produce reports, technical information and other compilations of data to CITY. These reports, technical 5 information and compilations of data are derived by CONTRACTOR . using methodologies, formulae, programs, techniques and other processes designed and developed by CONTRACTOR at a substantial expense. CONTRACTOR'S reports, technical information, compilations of data, methodologies, formulae, programs, techniques and other processes designed and developed by CONTRACTOR shall be referred to as Proprietary Information. CONTRACTOR'S Proprietary Information is not generally known by the entities with which CONTRACTOR competes. CONTRACTOR desires to protect its Proprietary Information. Accordingly, CITY agrees that neither it nor any, of its employees, agents, independent CONTRACTORs or other persons or organizations over which it has control, will at any time during or after the term of the Agreement, directly or indirectly use any of CONTRACTOR'S proprietary Information for any purpose not associated with CONTRACTOR'S activities. Further, CITY agrees that it nor any of its employees, agents, independent contractors or other persons or organizations over which it has control, will disseminate or disclose any of CONTRACTOR'S Proprietary Information to any person or organization not connected with CONTRACTOR, without the express written consent of CONTRACTOR. The CITY also agrees that it will undertake all necessary and appropriate steps to 'maintain the proprietary nature of CONTRACTOR'S Proprietary Information. V. CONSIDERATION A. CONTRACTOR shall, establish the sales tax ancf audit data bases, shall provide the ongoing reports and analysis and shall make available the computer programand data bases referenced above for a fee of $675.00 per month, invoiced quarterly (hereafter referred to as i'monthly fee"). B) CONTRACTOR shall be further paid 15% of all new Sales and/or Use tax revenue. received by the CITY as a result of audit and recovery work performed by 6 CONTRACTOR (hereafter referred to as "audit fees"). New sales and/or use tax revenue shall not include any amounts determined by CITY or CONTRACTOR to be increment attributable to causes other than CONTRACTOR'S work pursuant to this agreement. In the event that CONTRACTOR is responsible for an increase in the tax reported by businesses already properly making tax payments to the CITY, it shall be CONTRACTOR'S responsibility to separate and support the incremental amount attributable to its efforts prior to the application of the audit fee. Said audit fees will apply to state fund transfers received for back quarter reallocations and monies received in the first eight consecutive reporting quarters following completion of the audit by CONTRACTOR and confirmation of corrections by the State Board of Equalization. CONTRACTOR shall provide CITY with an itemized quarterly invoice showing all formula calculations and amounts due for audit fees. CONTRACTOR shall obtain CITY approval prior to beginning the work of correcting tax reporting methodology or "point of sale" for specific businesses where said payment of the percentage fee will be expected. Said approval shall be accomplished by the City Administrator or his designated representative on the Sales Tax Audit Authorization form, a copy of which is attached as "Exhibit A." CITY shall pay audit fees upon CONTRACTOR'S submittal of evidence of State Fund Transfers and payments to CITY from businesses identified in the audit and approved by the CITY. C. Above sum shall constitute full reimbursement to CONTRACTOR for all direct and indirect expenses incurred by CONTRACTOR in performing audits including the salaries of CONTRACTOR'S employees, and travel expenses connected with contacting local and out-of-state businesses and Board of Equalization representatives. VI. CITY MATERIALS AND SUPPORT CITY shall adopt a resolution in a form acceptable to the State Board of Equalization and " in compliance with Section 7056 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, authorizing CONTRACTOR to examine the confidential sales tax records of CITY. CITY further agrees to provide any information or assistance that may readily be available such as business. license records within the CITY and to provide CONTRACTOR with proper identification for contacting businesses. CITY further agrees to provide copies of the monthly allocation reports received for the most recent five , quarters from the execution of this agreement and to continue to provide copies of future allocation reports on computer readable magnetic media until such time as all audit adjustments have been completed by the State Board of Equalization and audit fees due the CONTRACTOR have been paid. VII. TERMINATION This Agreement may be terminated by either party by giving 30 days written notice to the other of such termination and specifying the effective date thereof. Uponthe presentation of such notice, CONTRACTOR may continue to work through the date of termination. Upon termination as provided herein, CONTRACTOR shall be. paid the value of all tax analysis and reporting work performed less payments previously made by CITY. In ascertaining the value of the work performed up to the date of termination, consideration shall be given to amounts due for any unpaid invoices, and to businesses identified by CONTRACTOR which make tax payments after ,termination of this Agreement as a result of CONTRACTOR'S work. After CITY receives said tax payments for such businesses, CONTRACTOR shall be paid the audit fees resulting from tax payments made by the , business for back quarter reallocations and the first eight consecutive reporting quarters following completion of the audit by CONTRACTOR and confirmation of corrections by the State Board of Equalization. Compensation for any 8 audit work previously authorized and satisfactorily performed shall be made at the times provided in the preceding section entitled "Consideration." All documents, data, surveys and reports prepared by CONTRACTOR pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered the property of the, CITY and upon payment for services performed by CONTRACTOR, such documents, and other identified materials shall be delivered to CITY by CONTRACTOR. VIII. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR CONTRACTOR shall perform theservices hereunder as an independent contractor and shall furnish such services in his own manner and method, and under no circumstances or conditions shall any agent, servant, or employee of CONTRACTOR be considered as an employee of CITY. IX. ' NON -ASSIGNMENT This Agreement is not assignable either in whole or in part by CONTRACTOR without the written consent of CITY. X. ATTORNEY'S FEES In the event a legal action is commenced to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its costs and reasonable attorneys fees. 9 XI. GOVERNING LAW The laws of .the State of California shall govern the rights, obligations, duties and, liabilities of the parties to this Agreement and shall also govern the interpretation of this agreement. XII. INDEMNIFICATION CONTRACTOR hereby agrees to, and shall hold CITY, its elective and appointive boards, officers, agents and employees, harmless from any liability for damage or claims for damage for personal injury, including death, as well as from claims for breach of confidentiality or property damage which may arise from CONTRACTOR'S willful or negligent acts, errors or omissions or those of its employees or agents. CONTRACTOR agrees to and shall defend CITY and its elective and appointive boards, officers, agents and employees from any suits or actions at law or in equity for damages caused, or alleged to have been caused, by reason of any of the aforesaid willful or negligent acts, errors or omissions. CITY hereby agrees to, and shall hold CONTRACTOR, its officers, agents and employees, harmless from any liability for damage or claims for damage for personal injury, including death, as well as from claims for breach of confidentiality or property damage which may arise from CITY'S negligent acts, errors or omissions under this Agreement. CITY agrees to and shall defend CONTRACTOR and its officers, agents and employees fromanysuits or actions at law or in equity for damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, by reason of any of the aforesaid negligent acts, errors or omissions. 10 XIII. INSURANCE The contractor, at its sole cost and expense, shall purchase and maintain throughout the term of this agreement the following insurance policies: A. Automobile insurance covering all bodily injury and property damage incurred during the performance of this Agreement, with a minimum coverage of $500,000 combined single limit per accident: Such automobile insurance shall include non - owned vehicles. B. Comprehensive general liability insurance, with minimum limits of $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence, covering all bodily injury and property damage arising out of its operation under this Agreement. C. Workers' compensation insurance covering all of.its employees and volunteers. D. The aforesaid policies shall constitute primary insurance as to the CITY, its officers, employees, and volunteers, so that any other policies held by the CITY shall not contribute to any loss under said insurance. Said policies shall provide for thirty (30) days prior written notice to the CITY of cancellation or material change. E. Said policies, except for the worker's compensation policy, shall name the CITY and its officers, agents and employees as additional insureds. F. This Agreement shall not take effect until certificate(s) or other sufficient proof that these insurance provisions have been complied with, are filed with and approved by the CITY's Risk Manager. If the CONTRACTOR does not keep all of such insurance policies in full force and effect at all times during the terms of this Agreement, the CITY may elect to .treat the failure to maintain the requisite insurance as a breach -of this Agreement and terminate the Agreement as provided herein. G. If required insurance coverage is provided on a "claims made" rather than "occurrence" form, the CONTRACTOR shall maintain such insurance coverage for three years after expiration of .the term (and any extensions) of this Agreement. H. Any aggregate insurance limits must apply solely to this Agreement. 11 XIV. NOTICE All notices required by this Agreement shall be given to CITY and CONTRACTOR in writing, by personal delivery or first class mail postage prepaid, addressed as follows: CITY: CITY OF NATIONAL CITY 1234 National City Boulevard National City, Ca 92050 CONTRACTOR: HINDERLITER, DE LLAMAS, & ASSOCIATES 1340 Valley Vista Drive, Suite 200 Diamond Bar, CA 91765 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first above written by their respective officers duly authorized in that behalf. CityClerk .141.chael R. Dalla APPROVED AS TO FORM: CCittygAttorneyer, III CITY: CITY OF NATIONAL CITY Mayor George H. Waters CONTRACTOR: HINDERLITER, DE LLAMAS & ASSOCIATES A California Corporation 41), 12