This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/mrn/ for current information. |
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Measure C Special Library Services Parcel Tax City of San Rafael 2/3 Approval Required Pass: 10115 / 70.27% Yes votes ...... 4280 / 29.73% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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Results as of Jul 19 10:59am, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (32/32) |
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | Full Text | ||||
To provide a consistent, locally-controlled funding source, augmenting current general fund allocations for the San Rafael Public Library, for expanded hours, improved facilities, equipment, materials, and services for children, teens, and adults, shall the City of San Rafael be authorized to levy an annual $49 parcel tax (slightly higher rates for multiple-unit residential parcels) for a period of seven years, with oversight by an independent citizens committee and with exemptions for senior citizens?
If approved by the voters, this measure would adopt a new City of San Rafael ordinance imposing a new Special Library Services Parcel Tax on all residential and non-residential parcels in San Rafael, the proceeds of which would be used exclusively for services and facilities for the San Rafael Public Library. If approved by the voters, the special parcel tax would be imposed each year for seven years starting in fiscal year 2010-2011, at the rate of $49 per parcel for single family residential parcels; $49 per parcel for nonresidential parcels; and $49 per parcel plus $10 per living unit for multifamily residential parcels up to a maximum of $1,000 per year. The tax would be included on and payable with the property owner's Marin County property tax bill. The measure would provide an exemption from the tax, upon approved application to the City's Library Director, for any person at least 65 years old who owns a parcel used solely for owner-occupied single-family residential purposes. The measure would require that the tax proceeds be used only locally to staff, provide, maintain, and improve hours of operation, services, equipment, facilities, and materials at the San Rafael Public Library; to provide and improve Library programs and materials for children, teens, adults, seniors, literacy learners and people with disabilities; and to help with the City of San Rafael's longterm goal of setting aside funds for necessary facility improvements to the San Rafael Public Library. The measure would require that the tax proceeds be placed into a separate account subject to an annual report by the City's Finance Director. The measure would require that the City Council, within 60 days after the election, establish an independent citizens' oversight committee to review the collection and expenditure of special tax revenues, with duties to be established by resolution of the City Council. To become effective, this measure must be approved by two-thirds of the electors voting at the election. A YES vote approves the measure. A NO vote rejects the measure. s/ROBERT F. EPSTEIN City Attorney of San Rafael
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Arguments For Measure C |
Measure C asks residents to contribute the equivalent of
two book purchases a year, so that residents of all ages can
enjoy the benefits of unlimited access to information and
services.
The passage of Measure C will:
The passage of Measure C means that your San Rafael Public Library will continue to serve children and adults in their pursuit of knowledge, awareness and understanding of their world. Passage of Measure C is a critical investment in our community.
s/ISABEL ALLENDE, Author
(No arguments against Measure C were submitted) |
Full Text of Measure C |
FULL TEXT OF MEASURE C
ATTACHMENT "A"
Ordinance No. An Ordinance of the City of San Rafael adding Chapter 3.36 to the San Rafael Municipal Code, Entitled "Special Library Services Parcel Tax." WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael projects a budget deficit in excess of $3 million next year, requiring further reductions in Library program funding; and WHEREAS, the San Rafael Public Library operations are funded from the City's General Fund, necessary reductions to which have resulted in ongoing cuts to the Library's budget over the past six years, including the loss of a part-time Children's Librarian and additional positions in support staff; and WHEREAS, the Library's support groups, in particular the Friends of the Library, have provided ongoing operational and supplemental programming support for the Library through the ongoing efforts of dedicated volunteers, amounting to nearly $400,000 over the past eight years, largely to support ongoing purchases of books and other materials following budget cuts; and WHEREAS, use of the Library has been continually increasing for several years, with particularly significant increases in several measures of usage, including circulation and attendance, due to the economic downturn of the past two years, and recent cutbacks to school library services; and WHEREAS, the City has sought for years to find a means of setting aside funds for necessary facility, equipment and technology improvements to the Library; and WHEREAS, a local parcel tax dedicated to public library services and facilities would augment the capacity of the City of San Rafael to provide quality library services to its residents, over and above the proportional amount of the City's general fund currently allocated to the Library; and WHEREAS, imposition of a local special parcel tax dedicated to public library services and facilities is authorized by Government Service Code section 53717; and WHEREAS, the proceeds of a special parcel tax im - posed hereunder for a period of seven (7) years would not cause the City to exceed its appropriations limit pursuant to California Constitution Article XIIIB; and WHEREAS, funds from a locally approved tax could not be taken away by the state and would stay in San Rafael to benefit local residents. NOW, THEREFORE, the People of the City of San Rafael do ordain as follows: DIVISION 1: A new Chapter 3.36 is hereby added to the San Rafael Municipal Code to read as follows: Chapter 3.36 SPECIAL LIBRARY SERVICES PARCEL TAX 3.36.010 + Purposes. This Chapter is adopted to achieve the following, among other purposes, and the City Council directs that the provisions hereof be interpreted in order to accomplish those purposes: A. To staff, provide, maintain and improve hours of operation, services, equipment, facilities, and materials at the San Rafael Public Library; and3.36.020 + Definitions. As used in this Chapter: those purposes: A. "Library" means the San Rafael Public Library.3.36.030 + Imposition of Tax. An annual Special Library Services Parcel Tax is hereby imposed pursuant to City Charter and Government Code section 53717 on each parcel within the City of San Rafael for the purposes set forth in this Chapter, at the following rates: Single family residential parcel: Forty-nine dollars ($49) per year per parcel. Multifamily residential parcel: Forty-nine dollars ($49) per year per parcel plus Ten dollars ($10) per living unit, up to a maximum of $1,000 per year per parcel. Nonresidential parcel: Forty-nine dollars ($49) per year per parcel. 3.36.040 + Term. The Special Library Services Parcel Tax imposed by this Chapter shall be levied annually for seven (7) years commencing in fiscal year 2010-2011. 3.36.050 + Proceeds of Tax; Accountability Measures. All proceeds of the Special Library Services Parcel Tax imposed and levied pursuant to this Chapter shall be deposited into a separate "Special Library Services Parcel Tax" account to be used exclusively locally for the Library for the purposes set forth in this Chapter. The City's Finance Director shall prepare an annual report pursuant to Government Code Section 50075.3. 3.36.060 + Persons Liable for Tax; Collection of Tax. The tax imposed by this Chapter is not an ad valorem tax on property. The tax imposed by this Chapter is due from every person who is the owner of a parcel within the City of San Rafael, as reflected upon the rolls of the County Assessor of Marin County, unless that person or parcel is otherwise exempted by this Chapter. The Marin County Tax Collector shall collect the tax in the same manner and subject to the same penalties as County property taxes are collected. The full amount due under this Chapter shall constitute a debt to the City. An action for the collection of any amount due may be commenced in the name of the City in any court having jurisdiction of the cause. 3.36.070 + Exclusions and Exemptions. those purposes: A. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as imposing a tax upon any person where imposition of such tax upon that person would be in violation of either the United States Constitution or the California State Constitution or other applicable law. 3.36.080 + Independent Citizen Oversight. Within 60 days after the effective date of this Chapter, the City Council shall establish a Special Library Parcel Tax Committee to review the collection and expenditure of tax revenues collected under the authority of this Chapter. The Committee shall consist of at least five members, who shall be residents of the City. The terms of the Committee members and their specific duties shall be established by resolution of the City Council. DIVISION 2: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The Council hereby declares that it would have adopted the Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid. DIVISION 3: This ordinance levying the tax described herein shall be effective ten days after the date on which the City Council has declared its approval by at least two-thirds of the City's electors voting at the special municipal election to be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2010; and the Special Library Services Parcel Tax so established shall be levied annually for seven (7) years, beginning in fiscal year 2010-2011 and shall thereafter expire unless extended with the approval of two-thirds of the electors voting upon the extension at a general or special municipal election. |