Fail: 5,765 / 64.0% Yes votes ...... 3,247 / 36.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

• Official WWW Site

Official Information: http://www.burlingame.org

In Favor of Measure H: http://www.protectburlingame.org/

Against Measure H: http://www.againstmeasureh.com

Measure H, a $44 million bond issue on Burlingame 's ballot, will enable the city to improve the safety of its residents and businesses.

Burlingame's flood protection system is 75 years old and rapidly deteriorating. Flooding of homes and businesses will continue until the system is fixed. A total of $37 million will be spent on a citywide program to replace aging levees, pipes and pumps to prevent the future risk of floodwater damage. With limited available funding, the city has completed some local flood control improvements but cannot keep up with the accelerating deterioration. Without new storm drains, sewers will fill with rainwater, causing pollutants to overflow into the creeks and bay and subjecting the city to State-imposed fines of up to $10,000 a day. Flooded streets will impact emergency vehicle access during storms. Performing the work now will save the city from ever-increasing maintenance and capital replacement costs and provide long-lasting flood control that is far superior to the current system.

In addition, $7 million will be spent on critical safety and public access improvements to the police station, fire stations and several other city buildings. The measure funds disaster preparedness improvements at the police station and earthquake safety retrofits at City Hall and the Recreation Center . Funds will be used to perform only essential safety work and will not be used for new buildings or additions.

All of these projects are on Burlingame 's list of critically needed capital improvements and are supported by extensive engineering studies. This is the first time in over 75 years that the City of Burlingame has submitted a ballot measure asking the voters for new revenues to invest in capital improvements. For more information, go to http://www.burlingame.org or call 558-7235.

Join us and vote YES on Measure H.

We dispute the fairness of Measure H. The run-up in property values over the past decade has resulted in a tax base skewed against new property owners. This measure would create a greater disparity between residents.

Measure H funds the flood control bond based solely on property tax assessments + limited by Proposition 13. The proponents of Measure H could have proposed a parcel tax, or other equitable funding approaches. Instead, the proponents hope that you won't see Measure H for what it really is + an unequal taxation against Burlingame 's residents.

Before Burlingame's civic leaders incur a liability exceeding $1,500 for every man, woman, and child in this city, they need to review how the current tax money is being spent--as well as ways to more fairly fund new investments in city infrastructure.

If we had to wait 75 years for a vote on funding infrastructure improvements, we can wait a little longer for a more equitable bill than this one. Vote NO on Measure H.

BEWARE, this is not a flat parcel tax. Newer city residents will pay a disproportionate amount of the tax and that is UNFAIR!!!

BEWARE, there is NO CAP on the interest rate you will pay as the bonds will be issued over the next 5-7 years. Higher interest rates will drive your payments even higher for the 30-40 year life of the bond!!!

BEWARE, commercial property owners will be forced to pass tax costs on to local businesses. This will then be passed on to consumers with higher costs of goods and services purchased in Burlingame . This may further jeopardize local business viability.

BEWARE, rental property owners will be forced to pass higher property tax costs on to apartment renters. This will make Burlingame rentals even more unaffordable.

This hugely disproportionate tax for the city's storm drainage system will be shouldered by newer homeowners and is the WRONG way to levy this tax. We urge you to vote NO on this UNEQUAL and UNFAIR bond measure!

Because Measure H finances storm protection and building safety improvements based on assessed (NOT appraised) property values, the majority of residential property owners would pay less than $127 annually, or about $11 per month. A flat tax is less fair. For example, a large hotel and a one-bedroom condominium would be charged the same amount: $339 per year. In fact, over 90 percent of all residential properties would pay more with a flat tax than under Measure H. You can determine your payment by going to http://www.burlingame.org and clicking on "Projected Bond Measure Tax."

The financing method in Measure H was purposely chosen because it conforms with Proposition 13, which voters approved in 1978 as being the preferred way to calculate property tax. Property owners on fixed incomes who bought their homes years ago rely on this method to keep taxes affordable.

Measure H benefits all property owners, no matter when they purchased their homes or businesses. Having a financially sound plan to replace aging infrastructure improves the quality of life for Burlingame citizens and preserves property values for everyone. Recent home buyers in particular have a substantial investment that will be safeguarded with Measure H funded flood protection improvements.

To ensure that Burlingame continues as a fiscally responsible, well-maintained city, please vote YES on Measure H.