Pass: 7,790 / 59.73% Yes votes ...... 5,252 / 40.27% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Impartial Analysis

Measure HH is an advisory ballot measure seeking input and direction from the voters of the City of Lynwood on how the revenue from the City’s utility user’s tax should be spent.

A “Yes” vote means you believe the City Council should make its top priority for use of Utility User’s Tax revenue the following: law enforcement, gang suppression, crime and drug intervention, graffiti abatement, and prosecution of those engaged in prostitution. A “No” vote means you do not believe the City Council should make such things its top priority.

Measure HH is a companion measure to Measure II, which would reduce the City’s utility user’s tax from its current rate of ten percent (10%) to nine percent (9%), ratify the collection of the tax, and update the ordinance based on changes in technology since its original adoption in 1990.

If both Measure HH and Measure II are approved by the voters, the City would continue to collect the utility user’s tax (as specified in Measure II) and the City Council would be advised that the top priority for spending the revenue collected from the utility user’s tax is law enforcement, gang suppression, crime and drug intervention, graffiti abatement, and prosecution of those engaged in prostitution.

Currently, the City’s utility user’s tax is a general tax, which means it is deposited into the City’s general fund and can be spent on any governmental purpose. Traditionally, the City’s largest general fund expenditures are law enforcement and fire protection.

Since this is an advisory measure, it is not compulsory. The final decision for how the revenue generated from the utility user’s tax will be spent is made annually by the City Council as part of the its budget process, which includes public hearings and input from City residents. This measure would take effect if approved by a majority of voters who cast votes in connection with this measure at the election.

City of Lynwood

L.A. Wave

• Voters to decide on city utility users tax on November ballot - 8/21/08