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Contra Costa County, CA June 5, 2012 Election
Measure R
Special Tax
Crockett Community Services District

2/3 Approval Required

Pass: 615 / 67.66% Yes votes ...... 294 / 32.34% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Jun 22 3:50pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (3/3)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Full Text

Shall a resolution be adopted which will authorize the Board of Directors to increase the existing $50 recreation special tax on residential parcels within the Crockett and Port Costa areas for maintenance and operation of the District's park and recreation facilities and services within the District and not to exceed a total of $110 per parcel per year?

Impartial Analysis from County Counsel
The Board of Directors of the Crockett Community Services District has adopted a resolution proposing to authorize the District's Board of Directors to increase the District's recreational special tax (parcel tax). This ballot measure asks voters to decide whether the District's Board of Directors should be authorized to increase the existing parcel tax.

The District currently levies a parcel tax of $50.00 on each residential parcel within the District. Approval of this measure would authorize the Districts Board of Directors to increase the amount of the special tax on each residential parcel, up to a maximum amount of $110.00 per year. No other changes would be made to the District's levy and collection of the parcel tax, or the District's accountability measures.

The ballot measure states that the parcel tax is to be increased to "provide funding for the improvement, maintenance and operation of park and recreational facilities and services in the District." Proceeds from the increased parcel tax may be used only for the specific purposes set forth in the ballot measure and according to constitutional and statutory provisions.

State law requires the District's chief fiscal officer to file an annual report with the District's Governing Board that states the amount of funds received and expended in each year and the status of any projects required or authorized to be funded from the parcel tax proceeds. State law also requires the proceeds from the parcel tax to be deposited into a designated account.

Two-thirds of those voting on the ballot measure must approve the measure for it to pass.

A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of authorizing the District to increase the parcel tax.

A "no" vote is a vote against authorizing the District to increase the parcel tax.

 
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Arguments For Measure R Arguments Against Measure R
The Recreation Department's goals and objectives are to enhance the quality of small town life through recreational activities, i.e. the free summer concerts, children's programs, swimming, tennis and bocce ball.

In 1986 the Crockett community passed the recreation assessment of fifty dollars for the purpose of maintenance, operation and improvement of Crockett's recreational facilities. The assessment has not changed in 26 years! Yet, utilities, labor, maintenance, and insurance costs have gone up during that time.

Extensive improvements to the entire Alexander Park complex have taken place during the past 26 years. The lower park has play structures that meet safety requirements, barbecues and tables that are used by families. The lawn is beautifully maintained. The upper park is a beautiful setting with flowering trees, lawn, shrubs, and picnic area with barbecues. The gazebo is an ideal setting for an outdoor wedding. A green steel fence encloses the entire perimeter.

Most of the improvements were funded by grants from the Crockett Community Foundation, and over $500,000 from federal, state, and private foundations, as well as the recreation assessment passed in 1986. We have beautiful recreational facilities that are the envy of many communities, so much so Crockett was highlighted on channel 5's Eye on the Bay.

We urge you to support the increase of sixty dollars to the recreation assessment as it is needed to continue maintaining the recreational facilities and programs serving Crockett and Port Costa. Grants cannot pay for maintenance and operating costs.

Failure to pass this increase to the recreation assessment will definitely be detrimental to the programs offered by the Recreation Department, and to the ongoing maintenance of our facilities.

John Mackenzie

President, Crockett Community Services District

Crockett Carquinez Firefighters Association

Charles Dell, President

Crockett Improvement Association

Mary Wais, President

Jon Woithuis

Tom Cusack

None filed.

Full Text of Measure R
RESOLUTION

NO. 11/12-11

A RESOLUTION OF THE CROCKETT COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE TO THE RECREATION SPECIAL TAX

WHEREAS, Contra Costa County adopted Ordinance No. 86-24 in 1986, entitled "An Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County Proposing a Special Tax for Improvement, Maintenance and Operation of Parks and Recreation Facilities and Services in the area of County Service Area P-i (the "recreation special tax"); and

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 04-22 of the Local Agency Formation Commission provides that upon dissolution of County Service Area P-i and concurrent formation of Crockett Community Services District ("CSD" or "District"), the District is authorized to continue to levy and collect taxes that were levied in County Service Area P-I pursuant to County Ordinance No. 86-24; and

WHEREAS, the District Board adopted Resolution No. 06/07-07 on July 26, 2006, imposing the recreation special tax in the area of the District formerly in County Service Area P-i; and

WHEREAS, the District Board adopted Resolution No. 06/07-18 on December 13, 2006 authorizing the recreation special tax to be extended to the area known as Port Costa should the voters approve the tax at the May 2007 election, thus imposing the tax in the entire District; and

WHEREAS, the voters did approve the recreation special tax in the Port Costa area at the May 2007 election, and the tax was imposed on all areas of the District; and

WHEREAS, the recreation special tax has not been increased since 1986; and

WHEREAS, if approved by the voters by a two-thirds' vote, the recreation special tax would be increased; and

WHEREAS, the District has the authority to impose the recreation special tax pursuant to Government Code section 61121; and

WHEREAS, the District's recreation costs have steadily increased since 1986, and recently, revenues from its recreation programs have decreased; and

WHEREAS, the District's Recreation Commission and Board of Directors ("Board") continue to seek and obtain grants, and have thoughtfully considered additional funding options; and

WHEREAS, at its February 22, 2012 meeting, the Board held a public hearing and considered calling an election to seek voter approval of an increase in the recreation special tax; and

WHEREAS, after that hearing, the Board concluded that all of the information presented indicated that, to obtain the revenue necessary to maintain and preserve recreation service levels desired by District residents, the Board should call an election to ask the voters of the District to approve an increase in the tax; and

WHEREAS, on the basis of the foregoing, the Board determined that it was appropriate to place a measure regarding an increase in the recreation special tax before the voters at the June 5, 2012 primary election; and

WHEREAS, if approved by the voters by a two-thirds vote, the recreation special tax would be increased in all areas of the District;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Crockett Community Services District does hereby adopt this Resolution authorizing an increase to the special recreation tax, as set forth below:

1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.

2. The recreation special tax, previously authorized by District Resolutions 06/07-07 and 06/07-18, is to be increased in order to provide funding for the improvement, maintenance and operation of park and recreational facilities and services in the District.

3. The recreation special tax per year on each residential parcel shall not exceed $110. There shall be no tax on parcels other than residential parcels.

4. All other provisions of Resolution No. 06/07-07 and Resolution No. 06/07-18 not in conflict with the above shall apply to this Resolution and shall be read to apply to all areas of the District.

5. Any legal challenge to this resolution or to the recreation special tax adopted by this resolution shall be brought as provided in Government Code Section 50077.5.

6. If any article, section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this Resolution. The voters of the Crockett Community Services District hereby declare that they would have adopted the remainder of this Resolution, including each article, section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase. Irrespective of the invalidity of any other article, section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase.

7. If approved by two-thirds of the voters voting within the Crockett Community Services District in an election to be held on June 5, 2012, this Resolution shall take effect upon the date is declared by the Board of Directors and shall go into effect ten days after that date as provided in Elections Code Section 9320.

THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION was adopted at the Districts Regular Meeting held on February 22, 2012 by the following vote:

AYES: Burnett, Clerici, Glover, MacKenzie, Vickers

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

John Mackenzie, President

ATTEST: Dale McDonald District Secretary


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Created: July 26, 2012 13:00 PDT
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