Measure U: 1% Transactions & Use Tax Rate

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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Riverside County, CA

November 4, 2014 Election

Measure U
1% Transactions & Use Tax Rate
City of Coachella
Majority Approval Required

Pass: 1,605 / 50.68% Yes votes ...... 1,562 / 49.32% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of November 21 7:51am, 100.00%% of Precincts Reporting (8/8)

Information shown below: Impartial Analysis |

Shall the City of Coachella establish a retail transactions and use tax at the rate of one percent (1%) to maintain funding for general City services, including public safety, streets and public works, and parks/community services; provided that most of the tax is collected from non-Coachella residents, and no further rate increases without voter approval?

Impartial Analysis from City Attorney
On July 23, 2014, the City Council placed Measure "U" on the November 4, 2014 ballot. If approved by a majority of Coachella voters, this Measure would authorize a one percent (1.0%) retail transactions and use (i.e. "sales") tax within the City of Coachella. Measure "U" is intended to prevent significant cuts to general City services resulting from projected public safety cost increases by the County of Riverside for fiscal year 2015/2016 that are estimated to increase 8% to 12% from existing rates. This sales tax would be a "general tax," meaning that revenues raised from the tax would go into the City's general fund to fund any lawful City program, improvement, or service. The City would not be required to use the revenues raised by Measure "U" for any special purpose or for any particular program or service.

California Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.9 authorizes the City to levy a transactions and use/sales tax at a rate of one percent so long as the tax is approved by two-thirds of the City Council and a majority of the voters voting in an election on that issue. If approved, the sales tax would become effective on April 1, 2015.

The tax would be paid in addition to current sales taxes and would be collected at the same time and in the same manner as existing sales taxes. All revenues raised by the tax would belong to the City and would not be shared with the State or any other agency.

By placing Measure "U" on the ballot, the City complies with Article XIIIC of the California Constitution (Proposition 218), which requires a majority of the voters to approve an ordinance which establishes a general tax.

A "yes" vote on Measure "U" will authorize the sales tax.

A "no" vote on Measure "U" will not authorize the sales tax.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure "U". if you desire a copy of the Measure, please call Andrea Carranza, the City's elections official at (760) 398-3502 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

By: CARLOS CAMPOS
City Attorney

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Created: July 23, 2015 14:57 PDT
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