This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/alm/ for current information. |
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Measure Z Temporary Emergency Funding City of San Leandro Majority Approval Required Pass: 12630 / 61.11% Yes votes ...... 8037 / 38.89% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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Results as of Jan 6 2:56pm, 100.00% of Precincts Reporting (49/49) |
Information shown below: Yes/No Meaning | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | | |||||
To protect and maintain local services, such as fire and 9-1-1 emergency response times, neighborhood police patrols, investigation and gang suppression officers, library hours/programs, street and pothole repairs, youth after-school and senior programs, and other general City services, shall the City of San Leandro enact a quarter-cent sales tax, for seven years, reviewed by a citizens' oversight committee, annual independent audits, and all funds for San Leandro and no funds for Sacramento?
Currently, the tax on retail sales in San Leandro is 9.75% of the purchase price. The City receives only 0.75% of the revenue generated by the tax, however. The remainder goes to the State (7.25%), Alameda County (0.75%), the Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority (0.50%), and BART (0.50%). Effective April 2, 2009, the State increased the sales tax by 1%. That increase will expire on July 1, 2011. Technically, the existing "sales tax" is a combination of "sales and use tax" and "transactions and use tax." With some exceptions, both are levied on the sale or use of tangible personal property sold at retail. Retailers collect the tax at the time of sale and remit the funds to the State Board of Equalization, which administers the tax. This Measure, if approved by the voters, would authorize a 0.25% transactions and use tax, which would increase the total sales tax rate on retail sales in San Leandro to 10%. Of the total rate, 1% would go to the City's general fund and be available to support the full range of municipal services. Because this Measure does not limit the use of tax revenue, it is a "general tax," not a "special tax" that restricts the funds to specific purposes. Therefore, as explained in the ballot question, the City may use the funds for a range of services, including but not limited to maintaining current levels of fire and 9-1-1 emergency response times; neighborhood police patrols, investigation, and gang suppression officers; library programs; street and pothole repairs; and youth afterschool and senior programs. The tax would terminate automatically 7 years after collection begins, unless extended by the voters. If the State allows its 1% increase to sunset in 2011, the total sales taxrate in the City would drop to 9%. The total sales tax rate would further decrease to 8.75% upon the expiration of this tax. The Measure requires the City Council to appoint a fiveperson committee of members of the public to review and prepare a public report on the revenue and expenditure of funds from the tax. A "Yes" vote is a vote to approve the enactment of the quarter-cent tax for 7 years, with oversight by a committee of members of the public. A"No" vote is a vote against the tax. This Measure would be approved if it receives a simple majority of "Yes" votes. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure Z. If you desire a copy of the ordinance, please call the City Clerk's office at 510-577-3367 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.
DATED: August 4, 2010
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Arguments For Measure Z | Arguments Against Measure Z | ||
Vote YES on Z - All Measure Z money goes to your
LOCAL services and Sacramento can't touch it!
Without Measure Z, we don't have enough money for critical local services. Sacramento politicians have taken $7 million from San Leandro. This year the City had to cut $6.9 million in services. And we still have a $3 million budget gap, meaning more cuts to local services without Measure Z. Measure Z is a temporary, emergency solution that gives you LOCAL CONTROL to protect and maintain our LOCAL SERVICES. Police and fire services are reaching dangerously low levels. Consider the facts:
YES on Z maintains patrol, gang suppression, school, and investigation police officers YES on Z maintains library hours and programs for children, adults and families. YES on Z maintains streets and repairs potholes. YES on Z maintains senior services and youth after-school programs allowing us to be a good partner to schools. YES on Z includes strong fiscal accountability, with annual audits and Independent Citizens Oversight to monitor spending, guaranteeing funds are spent responsibly and as promised. By law, YES on Z requires every dime be used for local services. Join police officers, firefighters, the Chamber of Commerce, and community leaders - vote YES on Z to protect and maintain local services. Visit www.ProtectOurServices. org for more information.
s/Roberta Faith Frazier
The record is clear. San Leandro has enough revenue to pay for essential services if elected leaders exercise fiscal discipline. Over the past decade, City expenditures far outpaced inflation. Taxpayers contributed 100% to employee pensions, a benefit rarely seen elsewhere in the public or private sector. A disturbing + and rising + number of City staff draw more than $100,000 annually, a fact previously hidden from the voters by the Council and disclosed only because of litigation by the Oakland Tribune. Our council funded special interests, like $3 million to dredge the San Leandro Marina (an enormous sum to appease a small number of well-connected yacht owners), while refusing to budget $20,000 for school crossing guards. What our City needs is competent management to efficiently run services, rather than favor large campaign donors and special interests. They should answer to their true employer, the taxpayer. There is nothing quite so permanent as a "temporary" tax. Raising taxes today inevitably sets the stage for even higher taxes tomorrow. The political temptation to spend always exceeds whatever money is available. The highest sales tax in Northern California burdens consumers and business. High ticket purchases will migrate to lower tax areas. Imagine trying to attract retailers like Trader Joe's with the highest sales tax in the County! Vote NO on Measure Z for accountability and fiscal discipline.
s/Terry Floyd
| Raising San Leandro's sales tax to 10%, the highest in
Northern California, is a mistake. Our financial problems
are the result of millions in ongoing City Hall deficit
spending and we must fundamentally alter our spending to
solve the underlying issues. This sales tax is ill-conceived,
will not solve the ongoing problems, nor does it ensure
adequate Police and Fire support. It will only hurt those
most vulnerable; seniors, struggling families, and the
unemployed. In addition, new retailers and shoppers will
avoid San Leandro, leaving us with nothing but a bad reputation
and even lower tax revenue.
City Hall gambled revenue would rise, despite all predictions, draining our reserves as a result of $24 million in deficit spending, none due to state raids on funding. Short term planning resulted in $15 million spent for a Senior Center we cannot afford to open. Pay scales continue to exceed the private sector with more and more employees making over $100,000/year. Administrators were hired, while police were laid off. Tens of thousands of our own tax dollars have been spent to bully us into this tax, rather than funding services and supporting those in most need. Something must change. City Hall must fundamentally alter their spending to eliminate the ongoing deficit. In addition, overtime must be brought under control, and our priorities established. We must put the people of San Leandro first and re-fund our police, libraries, pools, as well as the services for our most needy. Before putting another tax on the backs of the people, our leaders must show they can make wise decisions with our money and bring spending under control so all of San Leandro can grow and prosper.
s/Tim Holmes
Even the opponent's argument says we need to re-fund essential services, including public safety. Without Measure Z the City does not have the money to fund the police, fire, streets, libraries, and other services we need. Don't be fooled - the City has already drastically cut spending. Measure Z temporarily protects vital services during this recession. THE FACTS ARE:
Without Measure Z we LOSE 7 ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS. Without Measure Z, we LOSE A FIRE ENGINE AND 9 FIREFIGHTERS. Without Measure Z, SMALL LIBRARY BRANCHES WILL CLOSE. Without Measure Z, MOST RECREATION PROGRAMS WILL BE ELIMINATED. Yes on Z is about putting the people of San Leandro first! Residents oversee how Measure Z money is spent. Measure Z requires an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, annual audits, and that all funds go to LOCAL services. Visit http://www.ProtectOurServices.org and join six Councilmembers and the many Measure Z supporters throughout our community.
s/John E. Faria
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