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Alameda County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Measure JJ
Extend Measure AA Sales Tax
City of Union City

Majority Approval Required

Pass: 8920 / 73.74% Yes votes ...... 3177 / 26.26% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Dec 28 11:38am, 100.00% of Precincts Reporting (39/39)
Information shown below: Official Information | Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

To prevent severe cuts to, and maintain essential services such as police, fire, paramedic, library, streets, parks and other services, shall Union City adopt an Ordinance extending the existing voter approved Measure AA sales tax with no increase in tax rate, requiring a citizen's oversight committee, annual independent audits, and all funds for Union City and no funds for the State of California? YES NO

Official Sources of Information

Impartial Analysis from City Attorney's Office
The City Council of the City of Union City is submitting to the voters the question of whether to approve an ordinance that would temporarily extend an existing one-half of one percent (0.50%) - or one half-cent to the price of an item that costs a dollar - transactions and use tax within the City.

If approved, Measure JJ would continue an existing tax approved by the voters in November 2010. The extension would be for ten years. Technically, the existing "sales tax" is a combination of "sales and use tax" and "transactions and use tax." With some exceptions, both are levied on the sale or use of tangible personal property sold at retail. Retailers collect the tax at the time of sale and remit the funds to the State Board of Equalization, which administers the tax. Because Measure JJ does not limit the use of tax revenue, it is a "general tax," not a "special tax" that restricts the funds to specific purposes. The tax proceeds cannot legally be taken away by the State. Currently, the tax on retail sales in Union City is 9.50% of the purchase price. Measure JJ does not increase the current tax rate; it only extends the voter-approved Measure AA sales tax for another ten years. The tax would automatically terminate after ten years unless extended by the voters. If approved, one hundred percent of the proceeds of this local tax would continue to go to the City's general fund and will be available to support the full range of municipal services, including but not limited to police, fire, paramedic, library, streets, parks and recreation services, including youth, family and senior programs.

If this tax extension is not approved by the voters, the City will have to reduce essential services and cut programs. A "Yes" vote is a vote to approve the extension of the voter-approved Measure AA one half-cent sales tax for ten years, with oversight on the revenue and expenditure of funds from the tax by a committee of members of the public. A "No" vote is a vote to not extend the existing tax and the existing tax would no longer be collected.

Measure JJ would be approved if it received a simple majority of "Yes" votes. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure JJ. If you desire a copy of the proposed ordinance, please call the City Clerk's office at 510-675-5448 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

 
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Arguments For Measure JJ Arguments Against Measure JJ
Vote YES on JJ Protect Union City services, without raising taxes.

YES on JJ does not create a new tax. It simply continues an existing, voter-approved local sales tax measure adopted by Union City voters in 2010 that has maintained essential services for our City in a recovering economy.

Sacramento has taken $10 million from Union City. Without Measure JJ, our City will lose $4 Million annually, resulting in devastating cuts to your services.

All Measure JJ funds are legally required to be spent on our LOCAL services and Sacramento can't touch it!

YES on JJ protects our essential City services by maintaining Union City's financial stability and quality of life over the next 10 years, when Measure JJ is legally required to expire.

Yes on JJ maintains 911, paramedic and fire protection services

Yes on JJ maintains police services, rapid response times, and neighborhood patrols

Yes on JJ maintains emergency and disaster preparedness programs

Yes on JJ maintains library hours, services and access to books, computers and the Internet

Yes on JJ maintains after-school programs for children/teens and classes for residents with special needs

YES on JJ continues the City's transparent, responsible fiscal accountability, with annual public financial audits that guarantee funds are spent responsibly and as promised on your priorities.

Union City residents, elected leaders, and employees all value our City's tradition of fiscal prudence and accountability. That's why City employees stepped up and now contribute 100% of their share of pension costs. And thanks to the community's support, we have all been successful in maintaining your quality of life services over the past 4 years.

Please join the entire Union City City Council in supporting YES on JJ to protect and maintain Union City's public safety and community services, without raising taxes.

CAROL DUTRA VERNACI, Mayor of Union City BRUCE VANCE, President, Union City Police Officers Association

No arguments against Measure JJ were submitted.


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