This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/scz/ for current information. |
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Measure E Santa Cruz City Clean Beach tax City of Santa Cruz 2/3 Approval Required Pass: 23,112 / 76.25% Yes votes ...... 7,200 / 23.75% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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Results as of December 2 4:43pm, 100.00%% of Precincts Reporting (38/38) |
Information shown below: Fiscal Impact | Official Information | Impartial Analysis | Arguments | | ||||||
To protect public health and the environment by reducing pollution, trash, toxics and dangerous bacteria in our river, bay and ocean; helping to keep beaches clean; protecting fish and wildlife habitat; shall the City of Santa Cruz adopt a Clean River, Beaches and Ocean Tax, with revenues spent locally under independent citizen oversight? The annual rates will be $28 for single-family parcels, $94 for other developed parcels, and $10 for undeveloped parcels.
s/ Sandra Benoit
The ballot measure proposes the following annual parcel taxation rates:
The tax ordinance would require the City Council to designate a citizens' oversight committee to review the ongoing use of tax proceeds, would require the City's Finance Director to file annual reports with the City Council summarizing the amount of tax proceeds collected and expended as well as the status of any projects funded with tax proceeds, and would require an annual audit by an independent public accounting firm to assure the proper disbursement of tax proceeds in accordance with the objectives and purposes of the tax ordinance. The City Council is proposing the tax on the basis of its finding, among others, that the reduction of pollution, trash, toxics and dangerous bacteria in our streams, river, bay, ocean and on our beaches is necessary to protect public health and safety, to protect fish and wildlife habitat, to protect the environment, and to protect the quality of life and economic vitality of the city. This ballot measure proposes a "special purposes tax" rather than a "general tax" and therefore requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority for adoption.
Date: August 8, 2008
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News and Analysis Santa Cruz Sentinel
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Arguments For Measure E | Arguments Against Measure E | ||
We love Santa Cruz for its beaches, ocean and natural beauty. Our local economy and community's health depend on protecting this beautiful environment.
Each year our streets and parking areas produce pollutants which enter the river and ocean. It's time to prevent and treat this pollution in order to protect our public health, fish and wildlife.
Measure E is an investment in our community's future. It will fund engineering, cleaning and restoration projects to ensure that our commitment to clean ocean, beaches and river continues for future generations. All the funds raised by Measure E will be subject to review by an independent Citizen's Oversite Committee, and will be spent in our community. Surf City needs your help. Join us in voting Yes on Measure E to protect the unique and priceless environment we call home. Vote Yes on Measure E -- for today and the future.
s/ Jack O'Neill
This Tax was drafted with no public participation. It has been sprung on the public, with the promise that adding a new Tax on top of an existing Fee is going to meet lofty, but vague, environmental goals. The proponents' argument that there will be a Citizen's Oversight Committee rings hollow because the Committee will not have the ultimate decision-making power. Some think that this new tax will bring environmental progress, but which specific improvements will it actually deliver? In the case of the present Stormwater Fee, its foremost purpose was "to improve water quality of surface water and stormwater runoff," but instead the Fee was redirected to fund, mostly, replacement/retrofit of bridges. This new Tax may suffer the same fate. Here is an alternate plan: instead of a new Tax for nonspecific generalities, let us use the revenue from the existing Stormwater Fee for specific pollution abatement projects for the next few years; show visible results; identify and plan specific projects for the longer term, and then evaluate whether additional tax revenue is truly needed. Until then, vote NO. s/ Aldo Giacchino | While we certainly need to reduce storm water pollution, the purposes of these Tax dollars are nonspecific. The first priority is to develop specific plans, with public input, and evaluate the available/additional fiscal resources needed. Through this Special Tax the City reverses the process. It taxes us first, then determines what to do.
The City already imposes a Fee to fund stormwater runoff projects. The "Santa Cruz City Storm Water Enterprise Utility Fee" has been on our property tax bills since 1994. It has been used to improve San Lorenzo River bridges and levees, but it has not produced any visible storm water pollution abatement. Now that the bridges and levees are restored, this existing Fee should fund stormwater projects, as originally promised. The new Tax is a ruse to get additional money, on top of the existing levy, without any specific improvement guarantee. Runoff is largely caused by factors such as parcel size, area covered by buildings and pavement. The existing Fee recognizes this through a non-single-family dwelling rate of $261.08 per acre. The proposed new Tax is arbitrary and does not consider parcel size. The rate for shopping centers, big box stores, commercial, industrial, and parking lots, is only a flat $94 per parcel, while the rate on single family dwellings is $28. By failing to give proportionate weight to the factors that generate runoff, the proposed Tax is grossly discriminatory against single family dwellings. This Measure imposes the Tax for the fiscal year which began last July, even though voters will not vote on it until November. The retroactive imposition of the tax violates the constitutional provision (Art. 13C) that no Special Tax may be imposed until approved by the voters. Vote No. Insist on a fair program and specific deliverables. No more blank checks. s/ Aldo Giacchino
Measure E demonstrates sound planning for environmental protection. Over the years, Santa Cruz has made steady progress in protecting our river, ocean and beaches, based on thorough environmental and engineering work plus extensive public process. Measure E will fund NEW environmental cleanup measures required by the California Water Quality Board and Federal Environmental Protection Agency. The existing Stormwater Fee has a dual purpose: flood control and stormwater cleanup. Since 1994 this fee has helped fund San Lorenzo River levee improvements, reconstruction of bridges to reduce flooding hazard, and related projects. $4.5 million generated by this fee has leveraged over $60 million in state and federal funds to benefit our community and environment. Unfortunately, inflation since 1994 has severely limited the existing Stormwater Fee's ability to fund new, necessary water quality measures. The City has developed a detailed Stormwater Management Program for future work. (http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pw/Stormwater2008/index.html,) With State approval, this plan will guide spending of Measure E funds. Measure E is fiscally responsible. It creates a separate fund to ensure that revenues are spent appropriately. An independent Citizens Oversight Committee ensures the cost-effectiveness of required pollution prevention and cleanup. And contrary to opponents' claims, Measure E is not retroactive; it won't appear on tax statements until 2009. The modest flat rate structure reflects shared responsibility for water cleanup costs. It's a reasonable solution for necessary protection of our watersheds, river, beaches and ocean. Vote YES on E.
s/ Dan Haifley
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