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Measure I Essential City Servies Measure City of Coachella Majority Approval Required
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Pass:
733 /
58.50% Yes votes ......
520 /
41.50% No votes
| Results as of July 10 6:05am, 100.00%% of Precincts Reporting (11/11) |
| Information shown below: Official Information | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | | |||||||
The UUT would be computed on the basis of monthly usage and would be collected by the utility services provider in accordance with the service provider's regular billing practices. Utility customers that are sixty-five (65) years of age or older and who qualify as either very-low income or extremely-low income households are exempt when they file an exemption application. Measure "I" also creates a five-member Citizens Oversight Committee charged with annually reviewing the revenues and expenditures of the UUT. This Citizens Oversight Committee must meet in accordance with the Brown Act and no less than once a year. Due to the economy and the state's shifting of city revenues, the City Council has reduced city general fund spending from $19 million in FY 07/08 to $14 million in the current fiscal year, FY 09/10. The City Manager and the Finance Director estimate that the city's general fund still has a structural budget deficit of $1.6 to $2.0 million next fiscal year and each year thereafter without more budget cuts or an additional source of revenue. They also project that the general fund will be insolvent within 2 years if nothing is changed from the status quo. Emergency reserves will be exhausted. Cuts that have been implemented include the elimination of: 4 sworn police officers; 2 community service officers; one fire engine company and 7 firefighters; 3 code enforcement officers; 4 finance professionals; and 12 other city positions. City employees have been furloughed and City Hall is closed every Friday, resulting in a 10% cut in pay for the employees. Line item expenses including travel and funding support for community groups and community events have also been reduced. The Finance Director estimates that the UUT will raise $1.4 million in the first full year of implementation. Measure "I" requires approval of a majority of voters. A "yes" vote for Measure "I" will adopt the UUT described above. A "no" vote against Measure "I" will maintain the status quo.
By: Office of the City Attorney, City of Coachella
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Official Information
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| Arguments For Measure I |
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Measure "I" was placed on the ballot unanimously by the Coachella City Council because of the dire financial condition of the city. Measure "I" must be approved to avoid insolvency.
The deep recession has caused huge decreases in our main sources of revenue + sales tax and property tax. There is no hotel "bed tax" revenue and no utility user tax like most other cities. Your Yes on "I" vote is critical. The general fund budget was cut by $5 million dollars, more than 26%, and made drastic cuts to all departments with job cuts and pay decreases. We have lost 1 of 2 fire engine companies, 7 firefighters, 4 sworn police officers and 2 community service officers. Any more cuts in police or fire services would be unimaginable, especially with the persistent violent crime, gang activity and graffiti. Sacramento politicians have already taken millions of dollars from Coachella and intend to take more. Measure "I" will provide local revenue that will stabilize the city's finances and it cannot be taken. When the economy recovers it will enable the city to restore the cut services and improve public safety service levels. If Measure "I" passes, a Citizen's Oversight Committee will oversee the use of the funds + ensuring the new revenue will be used to protect public safety services. An annual independent audit is required. Also, seniors 65+ who are very low income will be exempt from the tax. YES on Measure "I" is critical to ensuring a bright future for Coachella. Keep our community safe and ensure that our families, youth and seniors can enjoy our recreation facilities and a well maintained community. Please join your neighbors, police officers, firefighters, local church leaders, teacher, parents and youth advocates by voting YES on Measure "I".
By: Edwardo Garcia, Mayor
(No arguments against Measure I were submitted) |
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Created: August 20, 2010 21:40 PDT
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