Pass: 3212 / 81.25% Yes votes ...... 741 / 18.75% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Impartial Analysis from City Attorney

Measure "P" would extend the special tax levied for the maintenance and operation of the City of Clayton's Downtown "The Grove" Park, known officially as Community Facilities District ("CFD") 2006-1 through Fiscal Year 2036/2037. This measure would not change the services provided by the CFD, the rate of adjustment or the method of apportioning the existing special tax.

The tax revenue pays for costs related to the operation and maintenance of the Downtown "The Grove" Park, including repair and replacement of landscaping, irrigation, hardscape, lights, public restroom, gazebo, playground, water, electricity, etc. Other City parks are not maintained by this special tax. These tax revenues are placed into a restricted use fund through which all eligible expenses are tracked, paid and audited. These funds are protected and cannot be spent for any other purpose by the City and cannot be taken by the State, County or any other public or private entity.

Following the advertised public hearing, on July 15, 2014 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 32-2014 proposing to extend the special tax in the CFD for twenty years and placing Measure "P" on the ballot. The CFD is the sole funding source to pay for the operation and maintenance of the Downtown Park ("The Grove") and its related facilities. The CFD's boundaries encompass the entire City of Clayton.

In 2006, voters approved a special tax to fund the CFD through Fiscal Year 2016/2017. The current annual special tax amounts are:

Residential Parcels: $19.08 per parcel.

Downtown Core Parcels: $257.56 per 1/4 acre or fraction thereof.

Other Commercial Parcels: $112.90 per 1/4 acre or fraction thereof.

Recreational Open Space Parcels: $56.44 per 1/4 acre or fraction thereof.

Multi-Family Residential Care Facilities Parcels: $59.32 per 1/4 acre or fraction thereof.

Measure "P" continues the existing tax rate methodology and existing annual adjustment, including limiting any increases to the annual change in the Consumer Price Index. In no event can an annual rate increase approved by the City Council at a public meeting be higher than 3% over the previous year. The proposed ballot measure would continue this same formula for an additional 20 years (June 30, 2037).

Measure "P" requires approval from two-thirds of voters. Should Measure "P" not be approved, the special tax will sunset and expire in June 2017. However, should Measure "P" be approved, the special tax will sunset and expire June 30, 2037.

Copies of all relevant reports, a boundary map of the CFD, and Council resolutions concerning the formation of the CFD are available for review in the office of the City Clerk (925-673-7300).

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure "P". If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the City Clerk's office at (925-673-7300) and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you or obtain on the City website: cityofclayton.org.

This analysis as prepared is an impartial analysis of the measure as required by Calif. Govt. Code Section 53327 and Elections Code Section 9280.

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