Brentwood, California, Utility Tax, Measure Z (November 2016)
| Measure Z: Brentwood Utility Tax |
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Defeated
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| Topic: |
| City tax |
| Related articles |
| City tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Contra Costa County, California ballot measures Local utility tax and fees on the ballot |
| See also |
| Brentwood, California |
A utility users tax was on the ballot for Brentwood voters in Contra Costa County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was defeated.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the utility tax on telecommunications, electricity, gas, and cable television to 3 percent in 2017 and 6 in 2018. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the utility tax on telecommunications, electricity, gas, and cable television to 3 percent in 2017 and 6 in 2018. |
Election results
| Measure Z | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 13,979 | 60.87% | ||
| Yes | 8,988 | 39.13% | ||
- Election results from Contra Costa County Elections Division
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[2]
| “ |
To maintain and enhance essential City services, such as fire and emergency medical response, shall an Ordinance be adopted to enact a utility users tax on telecommunications, electricity, gas, and cable television phasing in over two years (3% in 2017 and an additional 3% in 2018, for a total of 6%) to ultimately raise ongoing funding of approximately $6.1 million each year?[3] |
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Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Brentwood City Attorney:
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The Brentwood City Council has unanimously voted to put Measure Z on the November 8, 2016 ballot. The measure asks voters to approve an ongoing tax on electric, gas, telecommunication, and cable utility services. Under State law, the proceeds of the proposed utility user tax (UUT) may be used for any general municipal service, including fire and emergency medical response. If approved by a majority of Brentwood voters, the UUT will be three percent (3.0%) in 2017 and six percent (6.0%) in 2018 and future years. The UUT is expected to ultimately raise $6.1 million a year. The UUT is calculated on the monthly utility use in the City of Brentwood. For telecommunication service, the UUT applies to the place a phone is primarily used, typically the billing address. The UUT is collected by utilities on utility bills, and then paid to the City. The UUT does not apply to water, sewer or trash services; vehicle fuel; or solar power generated and used at a private residence. Nor does it apply to internet access or to the purchase and download of music, videos, games, or other digital products. Low-income and senior customers registered for PG&E’s California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program or another utility’s discounted rate program are exempt from the UUT. The City Council must repeal the UUT if the share of property taxes distributed to the City and special districts providing municipal services to the City (such as the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District), is increased to provide additional money for those services in amounts comparable to those provided by the UUT. In addition, the City Council may reduce or repeal the UUT; but the City Council cannot increase the UUT above six percent (6.0%) or apply it to new utility services without voter approval. Each year, independent auditors must review City spending of UUT proceeds; report at a public meeting; and post their report on the City’s website. In addition, the City must annually report, at a public meeting and on the City’s website, how UUT proceeds have been spent. A “yes” vote is in favor of adopting the measure. A “no” vote rejects the measure. If a simple majority of votes are “yes,” the measure will take effect 10 days after the City Council declares the election result. Utilities then have 90 days to begin collecting the tax. |
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| —Brentwood City Attorney[4] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[4]
- Robert Taylor, Mayor, City of Brentwood
- Dan Torres, Businessman / Resident
- Emil Geddes, Board Member, Brentwood Union School District
- Olga B. Vidriales, Businesswoman / Resident
- George Schmidt, President, Summerset III HOA
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[4]
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Please help make Brentwood safer by voting “YES” on Measure Z! We are at risk. Service cuts by the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District have left Brentwood with just ONE FIRE STATION and THREE FIREFIGHTERS on duty to protect 60,000 residents and $8 billion in property. One station isn’t enough! When we call 9-1-1, firefighters should be there within 8 minutes. Today, average firefighter response is almost 10 minutes. By that time, it may be too late to save a heart attack victim or stop a fire from destroying our homes and businesses. Measure Z will raise $6 million through a modest Utility Users Tax (UUT) – a tax that exists in 150 California cities. These funds can be used to open two more stations and put six more firefighters on duty in Brentwood. Two more fully staffed stations means firefighters will get to Brentwood emergencies faster and with the right personnel and equipment. This measure is: FAIR: all residents and businesses will pay, not just property owners. FEASIBLE: we could build two more fire stations faster than any other funding option. REASONABLE: the UUT rate starts at 3% and is capped at 6%. Low-income and senior households entitled to lifeline utility rates would be exempt. RESPONSIBLE: the City Council must repeal this tax if the fire district gets more local property taxes equal to UUT funds through a reallocation process. Brentwood’s high quality of life is attracting more residents and businesses every year. This growth means a greater need for public safety protection. We cannot afford to ignore our dangerously slow 9-1-1 emergency response times. We urge you to vote “YES” on Measure Z for Brentwood’s future! The undersigned Proponent(s) or Author(s) hereby state that such argument is true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.[3] |
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Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[4]
- Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, Jack Weir, President
- Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, Harold E. (Hal) Bray, East County Chairperson
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[4]
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This measure purports to fund the East Contra Costa Fire District (ECCFPD), but does not even mention the district, nor does it bind or legally require the City to fund the ECCFPD. This re-gressive Utility User Tax: Will impose an average household tax of $200 to $400+ and business tax of up to $1000 or more annually; it is clearly unaffordable for many residents.
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Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Brentwood, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Brentwood City tax. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Note: Phased in with an increase by 3 percentage points in 2017 and 3 more in 2018.
- ↑ Contra Costa County Clerk, "November 8, 2016, Local Measures," accessed October 14, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Contra Costa County Elections Division, "Measure," accessed October 14, 2016
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