5,293 / 81.0% Yes votes ...... 1,244 / 19.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Measure G, if approved by 2/3 of the voters, would modify the manner by which the tax is calculated for commercial and industrial properties. Measure G proposes to calculate the assessment of these non-residential properties on the basis of size of the property. Currently, a commercial property, irrespective of size, pays an assessment equivalent to two residential units. An industrial property pays an assessment equivalent to four residential units. If Measure G is approved, every 1,200 square feet of commercial or industrial property will constitute an equivalent residential unit. Thus, commercial properties greater than 2,400 square feet and industrial properties greater than 4,800 square feet, will pay a larger assessment than before under the formula in this Measure. Commercial properties less than 2,400 square feet and industrial properties less than 4,800 square feet will pay less. The proposed calculation will result in larger revenues to the City from commercial and industrial properties. This formula is identical to the formula approved by the voters in 2002 for the assessment for the companion Advanced Life Support Transport component of the Emergency Medical Service program.

s/ROBERT ZWEBEN Albany City Attorney

In 2000, Albany residents approved Measure N to provide funds for paramedic staffed fire engines. Under Measure N, all commercial and industrial properties are assessed by a factor of two Equivalent Residential Units (ERU). With this formula, a 20,000 square foot business is charged the same as a 1,200 square foot business, which means Golden Gate Fields, Safeway and the future Target Store pay the same assessment as Mary and Joe's Sporting Goods or Zarri's Delicatessen.

Measure G will amend Measure N to assess commercial and industrial properties for one ERU for every 1,200 square feet of developed land. The revised assessment formula would reduce the tax for the businesses under 2,400 square feet, and increase the assessments on the larger commercial and industrial businesses over 2,400 square feet. The new formula will not affect residential assessments. Overall, the commercial and industrial properties would pay a fairer proportion of their requirements for service, considering that about 30 percent of the calls for paramedic service in Albany originate in the commercial, industrial and waterfront zoning districts while these areas account for only 15 percent of the Measure N revenues.

Measure G is unanimously supported by the Albany City Council. PLEASE JOIN ALBANY RESIDENTS IN VOTING YES ON MEASURE G NOVEMBER 2.

s/JON ELY Mayor

s/JEWEL OKAWACHI Councilmember

s/MARC McGINN Fire Chief

s/DOUG DONALDSON Chair, Planning and Zoning

s/JACK ROSANO Civil Service Board

Section 2 Special Tax

(c) The City Council hereby amends Section 2(c) of the ALS Special Tax to restructure how to compute the ALS tax on non residential properties as follows:

Non residential parcels shall be taxed by determining residential unit equivalents based on parcel square footage and by land use categories as follows:

Commercial/Industrial Building Area in square footage/1,200 square feet Building area as determined from the Alameda County records or as known to the building Inspector. Vacant land at 1/2 the development rate.