Azusa, California, Measure Z, Sales Tax (March 2020)

Azusa Measure Z
Election date March 3, 2020
Topic Local sales tax
Status a Approved
Type Referral	Origin Lawmakers
List of California measuresCalifornia Proposition 13 (March)California Proposition 14California Proposition 15California Proposition 16California Proposition 17California Proposition 18California Proposition 19California Proposition 20California Proposition 21California Proposition 22California Proposition 23California Proposition 24California Proposition 25Submit

A sales tax measure was on the ballot for Azusa voters in Los Angeles County, California, on March 3, 2020. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported authorizing an additional sales tax in the city of 0.75% for general city services, thereby increasing the total sales tax rate in the city from 9.5% to 10.25%.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing an additional sales tax of 0.75%, thereby keeping the total sales tax rate in the city at 9.5%.

A simple majority was required for the approval of Measure Z.

Election results

Azusa Measure Z
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		4,651	62.32%
No		2,812	37.68%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:

“

To maintain City of Azusa police, firefighter and paramedic staffing levels, 9-1-1 emergency response services, gang enforcement and neighborhood patrols; address homelessness to maintain public health/safety; repair parks, library, community centers; and maintain graffiti removal, senior services including meals on wheels, afterschool programs and other City services, shall a measure be adopted establishing a 3/4¢ sales tax providing approximately $4,500,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring annual independent audits with all funds benefiting Azusa residents?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Azusa City Attorney:

“ On November 18, 2019, the City Council unanimously voted to place Measure "Z" on the March 3, 2020 general municipal election ballot. By placing Measure "Z" on the ballot, the City complies with Article XIIIC of the California Constitution (Proposition 218), which requires a majority of the voters to approve an ordinance which establishes a general tax. If approved by a majority of Azusa voters, this Measure would authorize a three-quarters percent (3/4%) retail transactions and use (sales) tax within the City of Azusa. A 3/4% rate equates to an extra 75¢ per $100 purchased. It is estimated that Measure "Z" will provide an additional $4,500,000 in annual local funding for general City services such as police, fire and emergency response, youth and senior programs, programs to address homelessness, and parks and library programs. This tax would be a "general tax," meaning that revenues raised from the tax would go into the City's general fund to pay for any lawful City program, improvement, or service. California Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.9 authorizes the City to levy a general transactions and use/sales tax at a rate of three-quarters percent (3/4%) so long as the tax is approved by a majority of the voters voting in an election on that issue. If approved, the tax would become operative on October 1, 2020 and would remain in effect until repealed by Azusa voters voting at a subsequent election. The tax would be paid in addition to current sales taxes and would be collected at the same time and in the same manner as existing sales taxes. All revenues raised by the tax would remain in the City and would not be shared with the State, County or any other agency. Measure "Z" requires annual independent audits to verify that tax revenues are collected, managed and expended in accordance with its terms. A "yes" vote on Measure "Z" will authorize the 3/4% transactions and use (sales) tax. A "no" vote on Measure "Z" will not authorize the 3/4% transactions and use (sales) tax. If Measure "Z" is not approved, the General Fund will not receive the sales tax revenues identified in the Measure. The City Council will then have to decide, as part of the budgeting process, whether other revenues are available to pay for City programs and services, or whether City programs and services will have to be reduced. ”

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

This measure was put on the ballot through a unanimous vote of the Azusa City Council on November 18, 2019.

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2020
• Local sales tax on the ballot
• City tax on the ballot
• Los Angeles County measures

California

• March 3, 2020 measures in California
• Local ballot measures, California
• Azusa, California

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic
• Los Angeles County Elections Office website