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El Dorado County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Measure I
10 year use tax to assist with funding City facilities
City of Placerville

Transaction and Use Tax - Majority Approval Required

Fail: 1414 / 49.84% Yes votes ...... 1423 / 50.16% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 25 3:24pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (5/5)
52.6% Voter Turnout (2837/5389)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Full Text

To maintain and provide quality, safe streets and other public facilities, shall the City of Placerville enact a ˝ - cent sales tax, with citizen oversight and annual independent audits, to end after ten years, with all funds spent only in Placerville?

Impartial Analysis from the City Attorney
The City Council of the City of Placerville placed Measure I on the ballot to ask the City's voters to approve a temporary one-half of one percent (0.50%) transactions and use tax. The proposed tax would add a half-cent to the price of an item that costs a dollar, or 50 cents to the price of an item that costs $100.

Because Measure I would not limit the use of tax revenue, it is a "general tax," not a "special tax" that restricts the funds to specific purposes.

Therefore, the City may use the funds for any legitimate governmental purpose. At the time that the City Council called for an election on Measure I, it also adopted a resolution that established a policy of the Placerville City Council that with respect to the revenue from this measure not less than seventy-five percent (75%) be directed toward road improvements and the remaining twenty-five (25%) be directed to improvement of roads or to other public facilities, including, but not limited to, upgrade and expansion of the City's Police Station and restoration of Old City Hall as recommended by a Citizens' Oversight Committee.

The proposed tax would terminate automatically after ten years, unless extended by the voters.

Each year, independent auditors retained by the City would complete a report reviewing the collection, management, and expenditure of revenue from Measure I.

Measure I would require the formation of a Citizens' Oversight Committee consisting of at least five members of the public, which could be residents, representatives of Placerville businesses, or a mix of the two. The Citizens' Oversight Committee would meet as often as necessary, but not less than annually, to review and report on the expenditure of funds from this measure, to evaluate the projects funded with revenue from Measure I as well as to make recommendations to the City Council regarding priorities for expenditure of revenue from Measure I in the following budget year, such as spending funds on street and road repair.

Currently, the total "sales tax" rate in Placerville is 8.0%. The City's share is only 1.50% of that 8.0%. Measure I would authorize a 0.50% transactions and use tax, increasing the total sales tax rate in Placerville to 8.5%. This measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council of the City of Placerville.

A "Yes" vote is a vote to approve a half-cent sales tax for ten years, with annual review by independent auditors and a Citizens' Oversight Committee. A "No" vote is a vote against the tax. Measure I would be approved if it received a simple majority of "Yes" votes.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure K. If you desire a copy of the proposed measure, please call the elections official's office at 530-642-5200 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

John W. Driscoll, City Attorney, City of Placerville

 
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Arguments For Measure I Arguments Against Measure I
Placerville's roads are in terrible condition. A YES vote on Measure I will fix them and address our backlog of deteriorated pavement while ensuring we preserve public assets that YOU deem important. The FACTS speak for themselves:

FACT: Placerville has $21 million in deferred road maintenance.

FACT: The condition of our pavement (PCI) is ranked substandard at 64 (Scale of 1-100).

FACT: We need to spend $930,000/year on repairs to stop the bleeding and increase our PCI to 70.

FACT: Currently, we only have $200,000/year for road repairs. Over half of our local roads do not qualify for state or federal funds. Our pavement will continue to deteriorate without an additional funding source.

FACT: 75% of the revenue will go to road repair and maintenance only.

FACT: 25% of the revenue can help fund more road improvements, preserve historical assets like Old City Hall, upgrade our Police Station and improve parking lots or other public facilities.

FACT: A Citizen Oversight committee will oversee all spending and help determine which projects are funded. An independent audit will monitor all expenditures.

FACT: Thousands of tourists each year use our roads and facilities. A sales tax measure ensures that these tourist tax dollars will help fund the maintenance of our infrastructure.

FACT: This money will stay in Placerville to fix Placerville! Revenue from a sales tax measure is protected from cash grabs by the State.

Measure I is just ˝ a penny to fix our roads and other facilities. It is not levied on food/medicine and it will expire in 10 years!

ARE YOU WILLING TO HELP FIX OUR CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE?

Yes on Measure I is our only viable option to maintain our City and keep it from deteriorating.

Vice Mayor Patty Borelli Councilmember Wendy Thomas Councilmember Trisha Wilkins

Rebuttal to Arguments For
We of Placerville strongly disagree with the City Council's move to raise Sales Tax by 0.5% for a period of 10 Years. We agree that roads must be maintained.

A General Sales Tax increase does not guarantee that the money will be used for road improvements. The council promises 75% of the funds will be for road improvements and 25% for other projects without a legally binding guarantee that the funds will be used as promised. The Council is pushing for a General Sales Tax in order to pass this measure with a simple majority of 50%+1 rather than a 66.7% majority which would be required if this tax measure was put on the ballot as a Specific Tax.

Tourists are not the only ones who will be affected. A ˝% sales tax increase will impact all City residents and merchants. A tax increase could very well drive tourist and locals to shop outside of Placerville since this increase will put Placerville at a higher tax rate than surrounding jurisdictions. Increasing the tax could actually impact Placerville's overall sales and lower the gross sales tax collected.

This General Sales Tax increase will hurt the local economy adding an extra financial burden on local citizens. It all adds up. With increasing food and gas prices, the City Council is asking an already struggling local economy to pay more over the next 10 years for the City Council's past mistakes. This proposed solution demonstrates the Council's inability to fix the current General Budget. Vote no on the General Sales Tax increase.

Stephanie Sorensen, Co-Founder of the Good Earth Movement Cooperative, Owner of Hygiea's Corner Jennifer Nixon, Canines on Main Jacob Mingle, Owner of Cozmic Café Jeff Meader, Placerville News Company

No arguments against Measure I were submitted.

Rebuttal to Arguments Against
The City Council passed a Resolution guaranteeing that 75% of the measure money will be directed toward road improvements, and 25% may be used to restore and maintain our essential facilities.

A citizen oversight committee will set priorities on which projects they will recommend for approval and funding. The committee will monitor all spending.

Research has shown that a slight differential in sales tax does not affect shopping habits.

Funding from sales tax ensures that we, the residents of the City of Placerville, are not the only ones paying for the infrastructure and roads used by thousands of tourists each year.

Measure I will improve our local economy. Healthy roads and restored buildings drive tourism and encourage business. Vote Yes on Measure I.

Carl Hagen, Mayor City of Placerville Trisha Wilkins, City Councilmember

Full Text of Measure I
CITY OF PLACERVILLE ORDINANCE NO. __ AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PLACERVILLE IMPOSING A GENERAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

WHEREAS, for the past 10 years, sales tax and gas tax funding for maintenance of roads has declined due to the economy and more efficient vehicles; and

WHEREAS, the condition of City streets and roads is also declining as shown in the City's Pavement Management study. From 2007 to 2014 the cost of deferred maintenance increased from $7 million to $21 million and continues to grow; and

WHEREAS, the City's Pavement Management Study recommends funding of $930,000 per year to improve roads stop the decline in pavement condition and to reduce the amount of deferred maintenance; and

WHEREAS, the City currently has available approximately $200,000 per year for streets and road maintenance; and

WHEREAS, if an alternative revenue source is not identified the City's streets and roads will continue to deteriorate; and

WHEREAS, in 2002 the City identified a need to upgrade and expand its Police Facility but to date no funding source for that improvement has been identified; and

WHEREAS, other City Facilities such as Historic Old City Hall are falling into disrepair and are in danger of being destroyed; and

WHEREAS, at public hearings on June 10, 2014, June 24, 2014 and July 8, 2014 the Council considered calling a special election to seek voter approval of a proposed general transactions and use tax (or "sales tax"), as authorized by Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.9; and

WHEREAS, after that hearing, the City Council concluded that all of the information presented indicated that, to create an additional source of revenue to assist with funding for streets, parking facilities and other City facilities, the Council should call an election to ask the voters of the City to approve a 10-year local transactions and use tax of one-half percent (0.5%); and

WHEREAS, on the basis of the foregoing, the City Council determined that it was appropriate to place a measure regarding a general transactions and use (sales) tax before the voters at the November 4, 2014 general election; and

WHEREAS, the tax to be submitted, if approved, would be imposed on the sale of tangible personal property and the storage, use, or other consumption of such property. The tax rate would be one-half of one percent (0.5%) (a half cent for each dollar) of the sales price of the property. The tax revenue would be collected by the State Board of Equalization and remitted to the City. The tax would be in effect for 10 years, and would then expire automatically, unless extended by the voters. The tax shall be approved if the measure receives at least a majority of those voting on the measure; and

WHEREAS, the Placerville City Council is authorized by California Elections Code Section 9222 to place measures before the voters; and

WHEREAS, Elections Code Sections 9281 through 9287 set forth the procedures for arguments in favor of and in opposition to any City measure and for rebuttal arguments; and

WHEREAS, it is desirable that the election be consolidated with the statewide election to be held on the same date as that within the City, the precincts, polling places and election officers of the two elections be the same, and that the County Elections Department of the County of El Dorado canvass the returns of the election and that the election be held in all respects as if there were only one election; and

The People of the City of Placerville do ordain as follows: Section 1: Title V of the City Code shall be amended to add a new Chapter 27, entitled "City of Placerville General Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance for Streets and Facilities," to read as follows:

"5-27-1: TITLE: This ordinance shall be known as the City of Placerville General Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance for Streets and Facilities. The City of Placerville hereinafter shall be called "City." This ordinance shall be applicable in the incorporated territory of the City.

5-27-2: OPERATIVE DATE: "Operative Date" means the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing more than 110 days after the adoption of this ordinance, the date of such adoption being as set forth below.

5-27-3: PURPOSE: This ordinance is adopted to achieve the following, among other purposes, and directs that the provisions hereof be interpreted in order to accomplish those purposes:

(A) To impose a retail transactions and use tax in accordance with the provisions of Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and Section 7285.9 of Part 1.7 of Division 2 which authorizes the City to adopt this tax ordinance which shall be operative if a majority of the electors voting on the measure vote to approve the imposition of the tax at an election called for that purpose.

(B) To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that incorporates provisions identical to those of the Sales and Use Tax Law of the State of California insofar as those provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements and limitations contained in Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

(C) To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that imposes a tax and provides a measure therefore that can be administered and collected by the State Board of Equalization in a manner that adapts itself as fully as practicable to, and requires the least possible deviation from, the existing statutory and administrative procedures followed by the State Board of Equalization in administering and collecting the California State Sales and Use Taxes.

(D) To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that can be administered in a manner that will, to the greatest degree possible, be consistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, minimize the cost of collecting the transactions and use taxes, and at the same time, minimize the burden of recordkeeping upon persons subject to taxation under the provisions of this ordinance.

5-27-4: CONTRACT WITH STATE: Prior to the operative date, the City shall contract with the State Board of Equalization to perform all functions incident to the administration and operation of this transactions and use tax ordinance; provided, that if the City shall not have contracted with the State Board of Equalization prior to the operative date, it shall nevertheless so contract and in such a case the operative date shall be the first day of the first calendar quarter following the execution of such a contract.

5-27-5: TRANSACTIONS TAX RATE: For the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retail, a tax is hereby imposed upon all retailers in the incorporated territory of the City at the rate of one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the gross receipts of any retailer from the sale of all tangible personal property sold at retail in said territory on and after the operative date of this ordinance.

5-27-6 PLACE OF SALE: For the purposes of this ordinance, all retail sales are consummated at the place of business of the retailer unless the tangible personal property sold is delivered by the retailer or his agent to an out-of-state destination or to a common carrier for delivery to an out-of-state destination. The gross receipts from such sales shall include delivery charges, when such charges are subject to the state sales and use tax, regardless of the place to which delivery is made. In the event a retailer has no permanent place of business in the state or has more than one place of business, the place or places at which the retail sales are consummated shall be determined under rules and regulations to be prescribed and adopted by the State Board of Equalization.

5-27-7: USE TAX RATE: An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use or other consumption in the City of tangible personal property purchased from any retailer on and after the operative date of this ordinance for storage, use or other consumption in said territory at the rate of one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the sales price of the property. The sales price shall include delivery charges when such charges are subject to state sales or use tax regardless of the place to which delivery is made.

5-27-8: ADOPTION OF PROVISIONS OF STATE LAW: Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance and except insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, all of the provisions of Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code are hereby adopted and made a part of this ordinance as though fully set forth herein.

5-27-9: LIMITATIONS ON ADOPTION OF STATE LAW AND COLLECTION OF USE TAXES: In adopting the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code:

(A) Wherever the State of California is named or referred to as the taxing agency, the name of this City shall be substituted therefore.

However, the substitution shall not be made when:

1. The word "State" is used as a part of the title of the State Controller, State Treasurer, State Board of Control, State Board of Equalization, State Treasury, or the Constitution of the State of California;

2. The result of that substitution would require action to be taken by or against this City or any agency, officer, or employee thereof rather than by or against the State Board of Equalization, in performing the functions incident to the administration or operation of this ordinance.

3. In those sections, including, but not necessarily limited to, sections referring to the exterior boundaries of the State of California, where the result of the substitution would be to:

(a) Provide an exemption from this tax with respect to certain sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property which would not otherwise be exempt from this tax while such sales, storage, use or other consumption remain subject to tax by the State under the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code; or

(b) Impose this tax with respect to certain sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property which would not be subject to tax by the state under the said provision of that code.

4. In Sections 6701, 6702 (except in the last sentence thereof), 6711, 6715, 6737, 6797 or 6828 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

(B) The word "City" shall be substituted for the word "State" in the phrase "retailer engaged in business in this State" in Section 6203 and in the definition of that phrase in Section 6203.

5-27-10: PERMIT NOT REQUIRED: If a seller's permit has been issued to a retailer under Section 6067 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, an additional transactor's permit shall not be required by this ordinance.

5-27-11: EXEMPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS:

(A) There shall be excluded from the measure of the transactions tax and the use tax the amount of any sales tax or use tax imposed by the State of California or by any city, city and county, or county pursuant to the Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law or the amount of any state-administered transactions or use tax.

(B) There are exempted from the computation of the amount of transactions tax the gross receipts from:

1. Sales of tangible personal property, other than fuel or petroleum products, to operators of aircraft to be used or consumed principally outside the county in which the sale is made and directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as common carriers of persons or property under the authority of the laws of this State, the United States, or any foreign government.

2. Sales of property to be used outside the City which is shipped to a point outside the City, pursuant to the contract of sale, by delivery to such point by the retailer or his agent, or by delivery by the retailer to a carrier for shipment to a consignee at such point.

For the purposes of this paragraph, delivery to a point outside the City shall be satisfied:

(a) With respect to vehicles (other than commercial vehicles) subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with Section 21411 of the Public Utilities Code, and undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5 commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code by registration to an out-of-City address and by a declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer, stating that such address is, in fact, his or her principal place of residence; and

(b) With respect to commercial vehicles, by registration to a place of business out-of-City and declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer, that the vehicle will be operated from that address.

3. The sale of tangible personal property if the seller is obligated to furnish the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the operative date of this ordinance.

4. A lease of tangible personal property which is a continuing sale of such property, for any period of time for which the lessor is obligated to lease the property for an amount fixed by the lease prior to the operative date of this ordinance.

5. For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this section, the sale or lease of tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether or not such right is exercised.

(C) There are exempted from the use tax imposed by this ordinance, the storage, use or other consumption in this City of tangible personal property:

1. The gross receipts from the sale of which have been subject to a transactions tax under any state-administered transactions and use tax ordinance.

2. Other than fuel or petroleum products purchased by operators of aircraft and used or consumed by such operators directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as common carriers of persons or property for hire or compensation under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to the laws of this State, the United States, or any foreign government. This exemption is in addition to the exemptions provided in Sections 6366 and 6366.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State of California.

3. If the purchaser is obligated to purchase the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the operative date of this ordinance.

4. If the possession of, or the exercise of any right or power over, the tangible personal property arises under a lease which is a continuing purchase of such property for any period of time for which the lessee is obligated to lease the property for an amount fixed by a lease prior to the operative date of this ordinance.

5. For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this section, storage, use, or other consumption, or possession of, or exercise of any right or power over, tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether or not such right is exercised.

6. Except as provided in subparagraph (7), a retailer engaged in business in the City shall not be required to collect use tax from the purchaser of tangible personal property, unless the retailer ships or delivers the property into the City or participates within the City in making the sale of the property, including, but not limited to, soliciting or receiving the order, either directly or indirectly, at a place of business of the retailer in the City or through any representative, agent, canvasser, solicitor, subsidiary, or person in the City under the authority of the retailer.

7. "A retailer engaged in business in the City" shall also include any retailer of any of the following: vehicles subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with Section 21411 of the Public Utilities Code, or undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5 (commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code. That retailer shall be required to collect use tax from any purchaser who registers or licenses the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft at an address in the City.

(D) Any person subject to use tax under this ordinance may credit against that tax any transactions tax or reimbursement for transactions tax paid to a district imposing, or retailer liable for a transactions tax pursuant to Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code with respect to the sale to the person of the property the storage, use or other consumption of which is subject to the use tax.

5-27-12: AMENDMENTS: All amendments subsequent to the effective date of this ordinance to Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code relating to sales and use taxes and which are not inconsistent with Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and all amendments to Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, shall automatically become a part of this ordinance, provided however, that no such amendment shall operate so as to affect the rate of tax imposed by this ordinance.

5-27-13: ENJOINING COLLECTION FORBIDDEN: No injunction or writ of mandate or other legal or equitable process shall issue in any suit, action or proceeding in any court against the State or the City, or against any officer of the State or the City, to prevent or enjoin the collection under this ordinance, or Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, of any tax or any amount of tax required to be collected.

5-27-14: INDEPENDENT AUDIT: The City shall cause an independent audit to be performed on the expenditure of revenue funds from the tax approved by this Chapter. Said Audit shall be performed annually within 9 months of the close of each fiscal year beginning with the close of fiscal year 2016.

5-27-15: CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE: There shall be a five-person committee of members of the public to review and report on the revenue and expenditure of funds from the tax adopted by this Chapter. Prior to the operative date, the City Council shall adopt a resolution establishing the composition of the committee and defining the scope of its responsibilities. Also prior to the operative date, the City Council shall appoint at least a quorum of the members of the committee; the Council shall complete the appointment of members of the committee by the end of fiscal year 2015.

5-27-16: TERMINATION DATE: The authority to levy the tax imposed by this ordinance shall expire on the tenth anniversary of the last day of the calendar quarter following the operative date."

Section 2: ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE: The findings for this ordinance in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") are the same as those set forth in the City's Resolution No. 8229 calling for an election on this ordinance. The CEQA findings in Resolution No. 8229 are incorporated herein by reference.

Section 3: SEVERABILITY: If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Section 4: EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance relates to the levying and collecting of the City's transactions and use taxes and shall take effect immediately.


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Created: January 24, 2016 17:19 PST
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