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Adelanto, California, Business Tax, Measure S (November 2016)
| Measure S: Adelanto Business Tax |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Defeated
|
| Topic: |
| Local business tax Expires in: Never |
| Related articles |
| Local business tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California San Bernardino County, California ballot measures City tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Adelanto, California |
A business tax measure was on the ballot for Adelanto voters in San Bernardino County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was defeated.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of adopting a business tax of up to 0.05 percent of revenue. |
| A no vote was a vote against adopting a business tax of up to 0.05 percent of revenue. |
Election results
| Measure S | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 3,896 | 65.6% | ||
| Yes | 2,043 | 34.4% | ||
- Election results from San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
Shall the Adelanto City Council be authorized to impose a tax, with no termination date, on each business licensed or operating within the City of Adelanto in the amount of not more than 0.05 percent of the gross revenue attributable to that business's revenue earned from within the City of Adelanto, potentially generating several thousands of dollars annually in additional tax revenue for the City of Adelanto?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Adelanto City Attorney:
| “ |
This measure authorizes the City Council for the City of Adelanto ("City") to adopt a tax on all businesses licensed or operating in the City proportional to the revenue earned by that business within the City. The City Council would be authorized to impose a new tax of up to one-twentieth of one percent (0.05%) of the gross revenue earned by each business in the City unless otherwise exempt by law. This measure would authorize the City Council to adopt any appropriate tax amount provided it does not exceed the 0.05% of each business's gross revenue. The tax will result in increased general fund revenues for the City over the current business tax system from most business earning more than $200,000 in gross revenue per year, while relieving the tax burden on most small businesses earning less than $200,000 in gross revenue per year. For example, a small business operating solely within the City of Adelanto earning $100,000 in gross revenue could owe up to, but not more than, $50, which is less than the current flat tax of $100 for most businesses. A business with total statewide revenues equal to $20 Million, with $500,000 attributable to business activity within the City, could owe up to, but no more than, $250, which would be $150 over the current flat tax of $100 for most businesses. This measure would authorize the imposition of a new business tax in addition to other taxes and fees. This measure is intended to allow the City Council to replace the existing flat business tax structure that the City currently employs. The City Council would be authorized to impose this tax in addition to other legitimate licensing fees imposed by the Adel anto Municipal Code. All revenues received by the City from this tax must be deposited in the- general fund to be used locally for the benefit of the City. A "Yes" vote is in favor of adopting this measure and this business tax. A "No" vote is against adopting this measure and prevents imposition of this new business tax structure. If a majority of voters vote "Yes," then this measure will authorize the City Council for the City of Adelanto to adopt resolutions and ordinances imposing the prescribed tax. This measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure S.[2] |
” |
| —Adelanto City Attorney[3] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure was available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[4]
- Richard Kerr, Mayor
- Jermaine Wright Sr., Mayor Pro Tem
- Ed Camargo, council member
- Charley Glasper, council member
- John Woodard Jr., council member
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[5]
| “ |
The City of Adelanto ("City") is working to cure the City's long running budget deficits without adding additional tax burdens on its citizens by adopting a fairer and more equitable business tax structure. Rather than imposing additional taxes on the general public, or overburdening small businesses, the City seeks to adopt a tax on businesses proportional to their size and the benefits which they receive from the City. Larger more profitable businesses reaping greater financial rewards from the City will shoulder a larger proportional tax burden whereas smaller businesses deserve relief from burdensom taxes. The City faces severe budget deficits and needs to find additional sources of revenue to avoid municipal bankruptcy. Thr proposed tax wil help create a fair, efficient, and stable source of tax revenue for the City without having to tax the general public directly. The revenue generated by this tax will ensure stability of the City's business environment and the continuity of essential municipal services. The tax burden meanwhile will be borne by businesses according only to their gross revenue and capacity to pay. Finally, the proposed tax rate is minimal and amounts to no more than a multiplier of only 0.0005 on businesses' gross revenues. In its ongoing efforts to address the City's budget deficits, the City Council unanimously supports this new business revenue tax and respectfully requests that People of Adelanto vote in favor of this measure. This is not a tax on the People of Adelanto.[2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[6]
Unknown authors
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[7]
| “ |
The Measure S Tax is deceptive and misleading. Supporters of Measure S insist that this is not a tax on all Adelanto residents. But that is not true! Increasing taxes on businesses in Adelanto will lead to higher costs for Adelanto families and residents. The cost of groceries, gas, and goods will be higher for Adelanto residents than other High Desert citizens. That is not right! In addition to higher costs, this will be the only tax of its kind in the High Desert. That could force local businesses to leave Adelanto for other cities, or worse, for other states. If businesses leave Adelanto, jobs will leave Adelanto. The unemployment rate in the High Desert is already higher than the California and national average, and the Measure S tax will make things worse. Can we really afford to lose more jobs? The supporters of Measure S claim that this will solve the city's money problems, but they have proposed the marijuana tax measure to achieve the same goal. That means the Measure S tax is unnecessary. At what point do we say enough is enough? Lastly, the language of the measure states that this tax can be imposed "in addition to other legitimate licensing fees," meaning that the council could leave the current flat tax structure in place and add this tax on top of it. That is double taxation, and that is wrong. We should not be solving our budget problems on the backs of hardworking Adelanto businesses and residents The Measure S tax will negatively impact Adelanto residents and families, especially the poor. We cannot afford the Measure S Tax. Vote to keep jobs in Adelanto. Vote no on the Measure S Tax. [2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Adelanto, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Adelanto Local business tax. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Full Text for Measure S," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Measure S Impartial analysis by city attorney," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Argument In Favor of Measure S," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Argument In Favor of Measure S," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Statement Against Adelanto Tax Measure," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Statement Against Adelanto Tax Measure," accessed October 5, 2016
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