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Humboldt County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
Measure I
Residential Electricity Users Tax
City of Arcata

Majority Approval Required

Pass: 5,314 / 68.00% Yes votes ...... 2,501 / 32.00% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 28 11:25am
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall the City of Arcata impose an electricity users tax rate of 45% on residential customers whose electricity usage exceeds 600% over the established Baseline Allowance with a sole exemption for households receiving an extended Medical Baseline from the electricity service supplier, and automatically terminating in twelve years (City of Arcata Resolution No. 112-52)?

Impartial Analysis from City Attorney
Measure I would impose a 45% tax on excessively high residential electricity usage, pursuant to City of Arcata Resolution No. 112-52. The tax would be imposed only on residential usage which exceeds 600% over the established "baseline allowance."

The "baseline allowance" is established by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in order to ensure a low cost to residential users for a minimum quantity of electricity. It reflects an average quantity of residential electricity use measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) of electric power. The CPUC designates the "baseline allowance" for specific climate-based regions within the different service territories.

The average residential household use in Arcata uses 5,868 kWh per year. Electricity usage at 600% over the "baseline allowance" equals more than three times this average usage. Out of a total 9,500 residential meters in Arcata, 633 meters exceeded 600% over the "baseline allowance" in 2011 and would have been subject to the tax if it had then existed.

The Measure proposes an exemption for those on an extended "medical baseline," which is an extra allowance of electricity at the lowest billing rate established by the CPUC for residential users who rely on life support equipment, who have life threatening illnesses, or who have compromised immune systems. No exemption would be provided to low-income residential customers.

The tax is consistent with the City's Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan which established a greenhouse gas emission target of 20% below 2000 emission levels to be achieved by 2012. Emission inventories completed for years 2000 and 2006 indicate that residential electric use in Arcata increased by 30% per year over this time period. The City's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan includes implementation measures to conserve or reduce electrical energy including encouraging adjustments to personal behavior and living patterns.

Based on 2011 usage data, the tax would net approximately $1,249,000 per year, and is expected to decrease over time as residential customers implement energy efficient measures. PG&E would be responsible for collecting the tax and remitting it to the City as it does currently with the City's 3% utility users tax. PG&E estimates its cost to the City to implement the Excessive Electricity Users Tax to be a one-time amount not to exceed $650,000.

If approved by a majority of the voters at the November 6, 2012, election, the ordinance would go into effect upon adoption. There will be an unspecified delay before the tax is charged to and collected from residential users to allow PG&E to implement its collection procedures. The tax will automatically terminate 12 years after its adoption.

A YES vote approves the measure.

A NO vote rejects the measure.

Respectfully submitted, /s/ Nancy Diamond
City Attorney, City of Arcata

If you desire a copy of the full excessive residential electricity users tax measure resolution (No. 112-52), please contact the Arcata City Clerk's Office (825-2103) and a copy will be provided to you at no cost.

 
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Arguments For Measure I
A YES vote on Measure I is our community standing up for a healthy environment, safe neighborhoods, and fair taxation.

Arcata is known for its longstanding commitment to sustainability, but excessive residential electricity use undermines our goals. We must take action as a community before it's too late. This is why we support Measure I:

Residential electricity use in Arcata increased 30% between 2000 and 2006 and remains high. In 2011, 633 households exceeded 600% of baseline--that's three times the average residential electricity use in Arcata. Measure I will discourage excessive energy consumption and encourage conservation.

Large-scale marijuana grow houses are primarily responsible or Arcata's dramatic increase in residential electricity use. They can also attract violent crime, start house fires, and erode the character of our neighborhoods. Measure I will make Arcata a less appealing place for large-scale residential marijuana cultivation.

Measure I is a fair tax. It closes a loophole that has allowed unpermitted, high energy using businesses operating in residential areas to go under taxed. Measure I will ensure that these unpermitted businesses contribute their fair share to our tax base, as do other types of businesses.

Measure I will generate funds for important public services without taxing the vast majority of Arcata residents. Only those households using more than 600% of baseline will pay the tax--those are users with a minimum average annual electricity cost of $7,995 (with gas heat) or $16,570 (with electric).

This measure has gained broad approval from throughout our community. The Arcata City Council voted unanimously to support it and many other prominent individuals and organizations have endorsed it. Please join us in voting YES on Measure I.

/s/ Shane Brinton, Vice-Mayor, City of Arcata

/s/ Julie Vaissade-Elcock, Local Business Owner

/s/ James I. Zoellick, Energy Research Engineer

/s/ Carl E. Pellatz, Former Mayor of Arcata

/s/ Kate Christensen, Local Business Owner

(No arguments against Measure I were submitted)


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Created: December 17, 2012 13:44 PST
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