This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/cc/ for current information.
LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter
Contra Costa County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
Measure R
Appropriations Limit Measure
Crockett Community Services District

Majority Approval Required

Pass: 1190 / 79.39% Yes votes ...... 309 / 20.61% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Dec 2 8:18pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (4/4)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall the appropriations limit applicable to Crockett Community Services District be set at $2,851,000 for the Fiscal Year 2008-2009?

Impartial Analysis from the County Counsel
The California Constitution restricts governmental spending by setting an annual appropriations limit, which is the maximum amount a public entity may spend in a given fiscal year. The Constitution authorizes a public entity to establish or change its appropriations limit upon approval of a majority of voters voting on the measure.

The former County Sanitation District No. 5, in the Port Costa area, became part of the Crockett Community Services District on May 14, 2008. This ballot measure proposes to establish the appropriations limit for the newly reorganized Crockett Community Services District at $2,851,000 for fiscal year 2008-2009.

This ballot measure does not seek voter approval to impose any new or additional tax.

A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of establishing the appropriations limit for the stated fiscal year.

A "no" vote is a vote against establishing the appropriations limit for the stated fiscal year.

 
This election is archived. Any links to sources outside of Smart Voter may no longer be active. No further links will be added to this page.
Links to sources outside of Smart Voter are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement.

Arguments For Measure R
State law requires the Crockett Community Services District to establish an "Appropriations Limit" and submit it to the voters of the District for approval at the first district election. The District Board has hired a financial consultant to calculate our appropriations limit in accordance with the methodology set forth in State law. Our consultant calculated it to be $2,851,000 that the District may spend from "proceeds of taxes", and we hereby submit Measure R to the voters of Crockett and Port Costa for approval.

Oddly, the State defines "proceeds of taxes" as limited to just three sources of revenue that the District receives. These are property taxes, our recreation tax, and interest earned; and they do not include the revenue from sewer service charges, community center rentals or swim fees. Our "proceeds of taxes" last year was only $359,235 so the extremely high appropriations limit in Measure R would seem to make no sense at all. Please be assured that the District Board has no plan or intention of spending in accordance with the appropriations limit. We see it as a fictional and misleading figure that must be adopted in order to comply with State law.

We ask for your vote in favor of Measure R. It will in no way put you at risk of higher taxes or sewer service charges. If Measure R should fail to pass, we will be required by State law to place it before you again on the next ballot, at more cost to us all! Please vote for Measure R and put this whole thing to rest. You will not regret it!

Heidi Petty
President of the Board

John MacKenzie
Vice President of the Board

(No arguments against Measure R were submitted)


Contra Costa Home Page || Statewide Links || About Smart Voter || Feedback
Created: January 24, 2009 10:31 PST
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.