Arvin, California, Measure L, Utility Tax (November 2018)
| Measure L: Arvin Utility Tax |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 6, 2018 |
| Status: |
 Defeated
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| Topic: |
| Local utility tax and fees Expires in: No expiration |
| Related articles |
| Local utility tax and fees on the ballot November 6, 2018 ballot measures in California Kern County, California ballot measures City tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Arvin, California |
A utility tax measure was on the ballot for Arvin voters in Kern County, California, on November 6, 2018. It was defeated.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing the city to enact a utility users tax of 7 percent on phone, video, electricity, and gas services. |
| A no vote was a vote against authorizing the city to enact a utility users tax of 7 percent on phone, video, electricity, and gas services. |
Election results
|
Arvin Measure L |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 530 | 28.80% | ||
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1,310 | 71.20% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot question
The ballot question was as follows:[1]
| “ |
Shall the measure establishing a utility users tax of up to a maximum of 7% on charges for telecommunications, video, electricity and gas services to raise approximately $700,000 to be spent for city services, including police, fire, and other emergency services, and street, sidewalk, sewer, public works improvements and other unrestricted purposes, be adopted?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Arvin City Attorney:
| “ |
Measure L was placed on the November 6, 2018, Consolidated Municipal Election ballot by atwo-thirds vote of the City Council. If adopted, this measure will permanently enact a 7% Utility User Tax on telecommunications, video, electricity and gas services (“UUT”). The City does not currently have a utility tax. The UUT is a general tax on utility charges (telephone; including voice over internet protocol and cellular; electricity; gas; and television, including cable, satellite and other types of television services) to Arvin businesses and residents to the extent they are served or billed in the City. This measure provides exemptions for public agencies and allows the City Council to enact exemptions for other reasons. This tax would not be levied on water, sewer or trash services. The UUT is permanent and has no sunset date. The UUT will be collected on the monthly bills of the utilities and generally will ap-plyto chargesforall services and fees, unlessthe services are non-taxable. If taxable and non-taxable services are part of a bundled rate, the service provider may provide information on the non-taxable services or it may all be taxed. According to City staff, the UUT will provide approximately $800,000 per year to support public services. The moneys could be spent on unrestricted purposes, including public works improvements, police, fire and other city services. Since the City has a general fund balance deficit, without the UUT, the City will likely need to make reductions in services as part of its budgetary process, including reductions to public safety (e.g., police and fire), recreation, publicworks, and othercore governmental services. The City may also delay certain capital improvement projects, including road repairs, and park improvements. Public safety expenses represent approximately 60% of all non-enterprise City operating expenditures. Voter approval would be required for any future increase in rates or to expand the scope of services under Measure L. The tax administrator may provide instructions or administrative rulings related to implementation and enforcement of the tax. The ordinance allows for penalties and interest for non-payment. A “Yes” vote means you approve the enactment of the UUT. A “No” vote means you disapprove the enactment of the UUT. This ballot measure would take effect only if a majority of those voting cast a “Yes” vote for it at the November 6, 2018, election.[2] |
” |
| —Arvin City Attorney | ||
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Arvin, California.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Kern County Elections, "2018 Measure Language," accessed October 2, 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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