Town of Atherton Parcel Tax, Measure S (November 2009)

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A Town of Atherton parcel tax, Measure S ballot proposition was on the November 3, 2009 ballot in San Mateo County for voters in the Town of Atherton, where it was approved.[1]

  • Yes: 1,406 (77.8%) Approved
  • No: 401 (22.2%)

Measure S extends for four years a parcel tax already in force in Atherton that is earmarked for:

  • Police emergency response services
  • Street repair and maintenance
  • Drainage facility repair and maintenance
  • Capital improvements.

The existing parcel tax is about $750 for most parcels in the town. It generates about $1.86 million annually, and is set to expire in June 2010.[2]

A 2/3rds supermajority vote was required to approve Measure S.[3]

About Atherton

Atherton is an incorporated town in San Mateo County, California. Its population was 7,194 at the 2000 census. It is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, with a median family income of about $150,000.[4]

According to the town's website, "Atherton is located on the peninsula nestled between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The Town begins in the flatlands then moves westward to the hills, until it reaches Highway 280. Beautiful foliage, elegant gardens and heritage trees dominate this quiet small community. The Town of Atherton desires, insofar as possible, to preserve its character as a scenic, rural, thickly-wooded, residential area, with abundant open space with streets designed primarily as scenic routes rather than for speed of travel."

Ballot language

The question asked on the ballot was, "“To continue providing funding to maintain neighborhood police patrols and the Town’s ability to respond to emergencies, repair and maintain streets, and repair and construct storm drains, shall an ordinance be adopted to continue the existing Town of Atherton Special Parcel Tax for four years?”"

Supporters

Atherton Mayor Jerry Carlson supported Measure S. He said, "We did some polling on what the concerns of the community were, and public safety is right up there and, of course, just maintaining our streets and roads. All the things that are the highest concerns are the kinds of things that would be covered by parcel tax dollars."[3]

Supporters of Measure S and related Measure T raised $10,000 for their campaign through mid-October 2009. Donors to the campaign fund include Mindy Rogers and Jeffrey Wise, who each gave $500. [5]

Opponents

Although there is no organized opposition, some voters have argued for a "no" vote on Measure S at public meetings. Mayor Jerry Carlson told a local reporter that, in his opinion, these people are motivated by "anti-tax philosophies."[3]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ San Francisco Examiner, "Shoppers' tax burden could rise", October 9, 2009
  2. ↑ Almanac News, "Atherton voters asked to renew parcel tax", October 15, 2009
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Mercury News, "Atherton residents to vote on parcel tax", October 14, 2009
  4. ↑ List of areas by per capita income
  5. ↑ Almanac News, "Atherton parcel tax campaign raises $10,000", October 30, 2009
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