Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
City of Coachella Sales Tax, Measure U (November 2014)
| Voting on taxes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||
| Ballot measures | ||||||||
| By state | ||||||||
| By year | ||||||||
| Not on ballot | ||||||||
| ||||||||
A City of Coachella Sales Tax, Measure U ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the city of Coachella in Riverside County, California. It was approved by just two votes.
Measure U established a sales tax of one percent to maintain funding for city services such as public safety, public works and parks services.[1]
Election results
| Riverside County Measure U | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Yes | 1,605 | 50.68% | ||
| No | 1,562 | 49.32% | ||
- Election results from Riverside County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The question on the ballot appeared as:[1]
| “ |
Shall the City of Coachella establish a retail transactions and use tax at the rate of one percent (1%) to maintain funding for general City services, including public safety, streets and public works, and parks/community services; provided that most of the tax is collected from non-Coachella residents, and no further rate increases without voter approval? [2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure U:[1]
| “ |
On July 23, 2014, the City Council placed Measure “U” on the November 4, 2014 ballot. If approved by a majority of Coachella voters, this Measure would authorize a one percent (1.0%) retail transactions and use (i.e. “sales”) tax within the City of Coachella. Measure “U” is intended to prevent significant cuts to general City services resulting from projected public safety cost increases by the County of Riverside for fiscal year 2015/2016 that are estimated to increase 8% to 12% from existing rates. This sales tax would be a “general tax,” meaning that revenues raised from the tax would go into the City’s general fund to fund any lawful City program, improvement, or service. The City would not be required to use the revenues raised by Measure “U” for any special purpose or for any particular program or service. California Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.9 authorizes the City to levy a transactions and use/sales tax at a rate of one percent so long as the tax is approved by two-thirds of the City Council and a majority of the voters voting in an election on that issue. If approved, the sales tax would become effective on April 1, 2015. 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 belong to the City and would not be shared with the State or any other agency. By placing Measure “U” 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. A “yes” vote on Measure “U” will authorize the sales tax. A “no” vote on Measure “U” will not authorize the sales tax.[2] |
” |
| —Carlos Campos, Coachella City Attorney[1] | ||
See also
- City tax on the ballot
- Local sales tax on the ballot
- Riverside County, California ballot measures
- November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California
External links
Footnotes
| |||||
