Approving resolution to call for ballot measure extending sales tax, with $50M annual revenue
The Board may approve a resolution to place on the November ballot a measure to extend the current one-eighth of a cent sales tax on an ongoing basis, which would generate an estimated $50M in general fund revenue annually. The current sales tax expires in 2023.
The ballot question has been revised to add “agricultural preservation”, as follows:
“Without increasing current taxes, to fund local priorities such as
o law enforcement and public safety;
o trauma and emergency care;
o affordable housing;
o supportive services forr the homeless,
o transit for seniors and the disabled;
o children and family services;
o agrícultural preservation; and
o mental health services,
shall the County of Santa Clara continue its existing one-eighth cent sales tax on an ongoing basis, estimated to raise 850,000,000 annually, with annual public reports for fiscal accountability?”
The Board also requested a version of the resolution and ballot question that takes into account a proposed state constitution amendment regulating taxes. However, the proposed measure is likely to be withdrawn by its proponents due to a legislative deal to enact a moratorium on soda taxes. If the deal is not concluded, we will post a supplemental memorandum and resolution.
When: Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Where: Tue. July 3, 2018, 9:30am
Link to item: http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=10080&MediaPosition=&ID=92456&CssClass=
Link to agenda: http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=10080
City of Santa Clara
Responding to Superior Court order on district elections
On June 6, 2018, the Santa Clara County Superior Court issued a ruling stating that the City of Santa Clara’s current way of electing its council members in City-wide elections is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act. The Court will hold an additional trial beginning July 23, 2018 to determine the judicial remedy for this violation. The Court has indicated that it may order that for the November 2018 election for the two Council seats that are up for election that candidates will not be elected on a City-wide basis, but by district elections.
On June 26, 2018, the Court issued an Order regarding the Schedule for the Remedies Phase of Trial. The Order requires the City to take immediate actions to hold four public hearings before July 22, 2018 for the purpose of receiving public input on potential district maps for the election of Council members.
A change in elections by district will be a substantial change in how Santa Clara voters elect their Council
Public meetings will be held at the following times:
July 3, 2018 – 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara
July 5, 2018 – 4:30 p.m. Central Park Library, Redwood Room, 2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara
July 11, 2018 – 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara
July 21, 2018 – 11:00 a.m. Northside Library Community Room, 695 Moreland Way
Residents can also provide input in a survey at https://www.opentownhall.com/6467 , or can email comments directly to: districts@santaclaraca.gov .
A professional demographer will utilize the City’s demographic information to prepare draft single member district maps. The draft district maps will be published on the website for review at www.santaclaraca.gov/districts
The Ad-hoc Advisory Districting Committee will meet next on July 3, 2018.
When: Ad hoc Advisory Districting Committee
Where: 07/03/2018 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, City Hall
Link to agenda packet: http://santaclaraca.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=58320
Direction to staff on a proposed Nov. 2019 (not 2018) tax measure to restructure the City’s business license tax as a ‘head tax’; and the creation of an Ad-hoc Committee
At the second Study Session on June 19, the Council directed staff to draft a sample resolution calling for a special election in November 2019, along with a sample draft ordinance for a special and general election.
The draft ballot measure is as follows:
“Shall the Ordinance ____ to fund transportation infrastructure and services in Cupertino by imposing a yearly business license tax of $150 to $500 plus up to $425 per employee for businesses with more than 99 employees, and lower, flat taxes for specified business, raising about $10,000,000 yearly, effective until the voters amend or appeal it, with all funds staying local and all expenditures subject to an annual audit, be adopted?”
Staff worked with outside counsel to draft a sample resolution as directed. The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters estimates the cost of calling a special election would be $1.1 million, significantly higher than the $70,000 estimate for an even-year November election. Additional cost considerations include polling, consultant services, and legal services estimated at $150,000. Staff recommends that Council consider establishing an ad hoc committee to study the potential revenue measure and spending plan, which would be presented to the full Council for consideration.
When: Cupertino City Council
Where: July 3, 2018/ 5:30 p.m. / 10300 Torre Avenue and 10350 Torre Avenue
Link to item: https://cupertino.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3540980&GUID=096F764E-CB65-4F37-9A49-66B814F01D07&Options=&Search=
Link to agenda: https://cupertino.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=574547&GUID=3696184F-F4E5-4163-A878-5A9C9CC05709&Options=info&Search=
Deciding whether to move forward with a sales tax measure for Nov. 2018, or wait for a future election
Council and staff have held workshops regarding potential revenue options. A potential revenue ballot measure for a public safety special sales tax was identified as a priority.
Staff engaged EMC Research to conduct the polling. EMC affirmed that they can conduct the poll and render results in time to meet the deadlines for the November 2018 ballot, however they cautioned that in their professional opinion there is insufficient time to engage stakeholders and community groups and to establish campaign support should Council decided to go forward with the placing the measure on the ballot. Typically, a ballot initiative of this type requires a 12-18 month process in order to obtain community feedback, develop stakeholder buy in, and address issues that may arise during the educational component of the process.
The consultant further recommended that in order to conduct the most effective process in the future, the City should proceed with the polling, but modify the approach to include an assessment of customer satisfaction with the City, value assessment of City services, tax measures, homeless issues, parks, cost recovery, and other pressing issues. This would form a baseline for any future ballot measure process when and if the Council desires to reinitiate the process, and enable the City to develop a strategy and outreach plan for such a potential measure, presumably in 2020.
Staff recommend that Council not proceed with the potential sales tax measure for the November 2018 election and instead direct staff to proceed with a community-wide poll.
Alternatively, Council may proceed with current direction to conduct the polling for a November 2018 ballot measure. Or Council may direct a full cancellation of a potential revenue measure and polling research.
When: Gilroy City Council
Where: July 2, 2018/ 6:00 p.m. / City Council Chambers, City Hall
Link to item: http://gilroyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=1109&MediaPosition=&ID=1766&CssClass=
Link to agenda: http://gilroyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1109
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