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To prevent reductions in general City services and programs, shall the existing utility users’ tax of 4% on electricity and gas utilities, established by the City in 1992, be affirmed and ratified fixing the
rate of tax at 4% on all gas and electrical
charges only? A “YES” vote on
Measure R is a vote to continue in place the Scotts Valley utility users tax
at its present rate of 4% on electric and gas utilities. A “NO” vote on
Measure R is a vote to discontinue the existing Scotts Valley utility users
tax. |
IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS BY
CITY ATTORNEY MEASURE
R Measure seeks voter approval for the continued collection of Scotts Valley's utility users tax which generates approximately $600,000 a year for the City's general fund representing approximately 10% of the City's annual revenues. This measure will fix the rate of the utility users tax at 4% on all gas and electrical service in the City with exemptions for low income householders. The rate of the tax cannot be changed without a vote of the people. The measure also, to the extent allowed by law, provides that past collections are also approved. The loss of $600,000 a year to the City's general fund may impact the provision of vital services such as police and public works. s/ Robert J. Logan, City Attorney City of Scotts Valley |
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FULL
TEXT OF BALLOT MEASURE R THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY
OF SCOTTS VALLEY DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section
1. Chapter 3.35 of the Scotts Valley
Municipal Code (‘Code’) entitled ‘Utility Users’ Tax’ which applies a four
percent tax rate on all gas and electric charges in the City of Scotts Valley
is hereby approved as set forth in Chapter 3.35 of the Code as of June 31,
2002, and the City is hereby authorized to continue to impose and collect the
utility tax on a yearly basis as provided by the terms set out in Chapter
3.35 of the Code. Section
2. In no event may the City Council
alter the provisions of sections 3.35.040 and 3.35.050 which set the four
percent tax rate on electrical and gas use without the approval of a majority
of voters of the City voting on the question of the tax rate; provided,
however, the City Council is hereby authorized to amend any other provision
of Chapter 3.35 of the Code by three (3) affirmative votes of its members to,
without limitation, carry out the general administrative purposes of Chapter
3.35 of the Code to reasonably implement the collection of the utility tax
through public utilities and other service suppliers as authorized in Chapter
3.35 of the Code. Section 3. It
is the intent of the voters to apply the provisions of Chapter 3.35 of the
Code retroactively to the fullest extent provided by law. Section
4. This Ordinance shall be effective
only if approved by a majority of voters voting thereon and shall go into
effect ten (10) days after the vote is declared by the City Council. |
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44-514
VOTER
INFORMATION PAMPHLET
MEASURES, ANALYSES AND
ARGUMENTS (whichever is applicable to
your ballot) Arguments in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed laws are the opinions of the authors. |
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ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE R
Your
YES vote on Measure R will keep Scotts Valley's 4% utility tax on PG&E
only, to help pay for our essential services like police, streets, and parks.
The utility tax provides around $600,000 yearly, which is 10% of the City’s
budget. That's just $6 on an average $150 monthly bill. The utility tax has
made a positive difference in Scotts Valley.
In spite of the city's low property tax revenues (only 4%),
we've been able to keep our services top-rate. ·
The
average response time for police emergencies is under three minutes. · Scotts
Valley has the lowest crime rate in the county thanks to your investment in
our police department. · The
utility tax also provides a police officer at Scotts Valley High School and a
successful juvenile diversion program.
· Utility
tax revenues provide yearly resurfacing of the city’s 35 miles of streets,
now in its second rotation, and significantly contributes to the annual
street maintenance budget. · Scotts
Valley Drive, Mt. Hermon Road, and Glenwood Drive have been reconstructed. · We
now have sidewalks on Bethany Drive and Granite Creek Road from the utility
tax revenues. · The
maintenance necessary to keep our parks clean, the soccer fields green, the
play equipment safe and maintain the landscaped medians on Scotts Valley
Drive and Mt. Hermon Road, has been helped by the utility tax. · Our
parks, such as Hocus Pocus and Skypark have beautified and enhanced the
community, with events like the July 4th Fireworks and new soccer programs at
Skypark. Scotts Valley is a small government that consistently
uses its money wisely and efficiently. The City Council has unanimously asked
the voters to continue their investment in police, streets, and parks, which
are 2/3 of city budget expenses. Let’s keep Scotts Valley’s quality of life
great and vote YES on Measure R. s/ Stephen D. Walpole, Retired Chief of Police s/ Debbie Zanotto, Zanotto’s Family Mkt. s/ Dene Bustichi, Bustichi Const., Local Business Owner s/ Mary Dettle, Teacher, Vine Hill Elementary, SVUSD s/ Ferd Bergholz, Scotts Valley Senior Cntr President |
No
Argument Against Measure R was filed. |
44-515