10,485 / 61.9% Yes votes ...... 6,467 / 38.1% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The measure, if approved by two-thirds of the voters voting on the measure, would authorize the City to issue general obligation bonds in the amount of up to $30,000,000 in one or more series, and to spend the proceeds of such bonds for the purpose of financing the renovation of the public library, land and waterside improvements to the marina, upgrades to city park facilities and fields, renovation of Rankin Pool, the repaving of city road surfaces, and to pay certain costs of issuance of the bonds. The California Constitution limits the use of proceeds of general obligation bonds of a city to the "acquisition or improvement of real property". The City will be required to keep all bond proceeds in a separate account not commingled with any other funds, and to use such funds solely and exclusively for the purposes authorized by the measure. The proceeds of the bonds may not be used to pay any city administrator salaries.

The measure provides for the creation of a nine-member Citizen's Oversight Committee to be appointed by the City Council. Annually, the Committee will review the expenditures of bond proceeds to ensure compliance with the measure and report to the City Council its findings. In addition, the uses of bond proceeds will be reviewed in biannual audits.

At the discretion of the City Council, all or any part of the authorized bonds could be sold. Pursuant to State law, however, no bond sale could be made which would cause the total outstanding bonded indebtedness of the City to exceed 3.75% of the assessed value of all real and personal property of the City. Furthermore, pursuant to State law, the final maturity date of any bond could be no later than 40 years after the date of the bond. The interest rate on any bond could not exceed the statutory limit of 12% per annum. The specific repayment terms of the bonds would be determined by resolution of the City Council at the time of issuance of any of the bonds.

Principal and interest on the bonds would be paid from revenue derived from an annual tax levied upon the taxable property within the City in an amount sufficient to pay the interest on the bonds and such part of the principal coming due before proceeds of the next general tax levy would become available. The Tax Rate Statement of the City, which follows this analysis, reflects the City's best estimate of property tax levies which would be required to service the bonds, based upon currently available data and projections.

Jeffrey A Walter, City Attorney

Measure O will improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods, upgrade our marina, repave Martinez's worst roads, renovate our library and bring much-needed improvements to our city's parks.

Our city's limited budget for the past 30 years has led to the deterioration of our most valued assets and facilities:

o Potholes plague our roads

o Our marina has unsightly, crumbling docks and needs an overhaul

o Our library is overcrowded and has limited access to the public

o Park play areas, equipment and restrooms need major upgrades

These facilities will continue to decline, and the cost to fix and maintain them will continue to increase. Measure O is a cost-effective solution and an investment in the future of Martinez. Vote YES to:

o Repave the worst roads in Martinez, making it easier on our cars and safer for bicyclists and pedestrians

o Renovate and beautify the marina, encouraging it as a destination for waterfront enjoyment

o Improve our public library, expanding its usable area and access for the disabled

o Upgrade city parks to include new trees and better lawns, and improve play areas, fields, courts, picnic pavilions and restrooms

o Install new, safe playground equipment for our children

o Renovate our community swimming pool

ALL the funds from Measure O will go directly toward community improvements throughout Martinez. Measure O will be monitored by a citizens oversight committee, have guaranteed biannual audits, with no money for administrators' salaries.

With a small investment from each of us, we can improve our city's roads, library, marina and parks for future generations. Measure O is an investment in our city, the future, and our children.

Join us in supporting a better Martinez--vote YES on Measure O. Email questions to: BetterMartinez@yahoo.com.

Rob Schroder, Mayor, Martinez

Bill Wainwright, City Council Member, Martinez

Julie Calderwood, President, Friends of the Martinez Library

Ralph Yamamoto, Regional Commissioner, Pleasant Hill/Martinez Soccer Association

Sherida Bush, Chair, Martinez Park and Recreation Commission

We have many needs in Martinez, from park improvements and sports facility expansions to road reconstructions and library improvements. Our school district is also struggling financially, and an excellent education system is one of our most critical needs. Bond money for schools should come before bond money for the marina!

But Measure O is asking you to raise your property taxes so the City can spend 50% of the $30 million bond money on what is essentially a for-profit business: the marina. Is that a cost-effective way to spend your tax dollars? By sinking more property taxes into a marina that is deep in debt, deep in silt, and requires more than $15 million to essentially serve a small boating public--a special interest?

With Measure O we would be unnecessarily taxing ourselves when there are other options for marina improvement, including private investment and redevelopment, that would not cost taxpayers one additional dime.

If Measure O invested the entire $30 million in parks, the library, the pool, and new sports fields, I could support it. Those improvements will benefit every citizen, every child in town. However the majority of this money will enrich the few at the expense of the many.

Vote "NO" on Measure O because we can do better for Martinez.

Gus S. Kramer, Former Martinez City Clerk/Assessor

If you vote for this, you will be voting to raise your property taxes by $30 per $100,000 of assessed value so the City can spend $15 million of the total $30 million in bonds for the marina. (And so you know, while $30 million would be issued, this will cost home and business owners more than $64 million.) Certainly the marina needs improvement. However, we could be throwing good money after bad since the marina has never been able to pay off any of its loans or generate enough money for its improvements. You want to pay more taxes so boat owners can enjoy our beautiful waterfront?

Given the long list of needs in Martinez, including those of our struggling school district, is this the best expenditure plan we could come up with? Maybe we need to put education before recreation when we think about issuing bonds.

Besides, while this is called the "Library, Park, and Neighborhood Improvement Act," only $2 million out of the $30 million is for the library. And only 25% is supposed to be spent on park improvements. Sounds like the proponents of this measure are trying to sell us something this isn't. This bond won't get us new facilities or new fields for youth sports. It's just going for maintenance projects that won't last as long as your new taxes will. Until there is a more clearly defined list of projects, vote "NO" on more taxes.

Gus S. Kramer, Former Martinez City Clerk

Measure O is a community project! Measure O:

o Will be monitored by a Citizens Oversight Committee

o Will have regular audits

o Is by and for citizens throughout Martinez

o Was approved by the entire City Council

For less than it costs a family of four to spend a night out, we can improve Martinez citywide. The average homeowner will pay a range of from $1.12 to less than $31.00 a year per $100,000 assessed valuation.

Some of the projects Measure O will accomplish:

o Renovate 6,100 sq. ft. of our public library, adding usable space

o Reconstruct and repave the worst roads in Martinez

o Remove crumbling, unsightly docks and renovate the marina

o Upgrade rundown city parks to include additional and reconstructed play fields for youth and adult sports

o Install new, safe playground equipment for our children

o Renovate our 56-year old community swimming pool

For more information, email BetterMartinez@yahoo.com.

Without Measure O, what's best about our city will continue to deteriorate. People citywide support Measure O, people who are concerned with the health, safety and enjoyment of Martinez children and adults. A small investment for each of us means a big investment in our city. For a better Martinez, vote YES on Measure O.

John L. Fuller, President Citizens for a Better Martinez

Kay Cox, Martinez, Marina Commission + Commissioner

Brian M. Walker, Martinez Marina Commission + Commissioner

1. The best estimate of the tax which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 3 cents per $100 ($30 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2005-06.
2. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 3 cents per $100 ($30 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2017-18.

Voters should note that estimated tax rate is based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County's official tax rolls, not on the property's market value, which could be more or less than the assessed value. In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner's exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective tax rate than described above. Certain taxpayers may also be eligible to postpone payment of taxes. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the City's projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the City. The actual tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the City based on need for construction funds and other factors. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the City as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.

Dated: 8-19 2004

CITY OF MARTINEZ, Carol Robinson, City Treasurer