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City of Desert Hot Springs Sales Tax, Measure JJ (November 2014)
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A City of Desert Hot Springs Sales Tax, Measure JJ ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the city of Desert Hot Springs in Riverside County, California. It was defeated.
If approved, Measure JJ would have increased the city's transaction and use tax from eight percent to nine percent to fund general municipal services.[1]
Election results
| Riverside County Measure JJ | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 No | 1,742 | 55.96% | ||
| Yes | 1,371 | 44.04% | ||
- Election results from Riverside County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The question on the ballot appeared as:[1]
| “ |
Shall an ordinance implementing a one percent increase in the transaction and use tax for the purpose of funding general municipal services be adopted? [2] |
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Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure JJ:[1]
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This measure was placed on the ballot by a unanimous vote of the City Council after declaring a Fiscal Emergency. This measure proposes to increase the combine sales, transaction and use tax rate in the City of Desert Hot Spring an additional one percent (1%). Currently, the combined sales, transactions and use tax rate in Desert Hot Springs is eight percent (8%), of which the State receives six and one-half percent (6.5%), the Riverside County Transportation Commission receives one-half percent (.50%), and the remaining one percent (1%) is distributed to the City for general purposes. The sales, transactions and use tax is imposed on retailers for the selling of tangible personal property at retail and on the storage, use or other consumption in the City of tangible personal property purchased from any retailer, subject to certain exclusions and exemptions. By increasing the City’s sales, transaction and use tax by 1.00%, it is projected to generate $1.4 million dollars annually for essential City services. The proceeds of the City’s share of the combined sales, transaction and use tax are deposited in the City’s general fund and used for general governmental purposes, such as City operations, police and fire services, street sweeping and repair, paramedics, parks and recreation, emergency response services, capital projects and other essential services. Since the revenue of the proposed one percent increase will not be restricted to fund only certain specified City services, it may be approved by a simple majority (50% plus one) vote of the electorate.[2] |
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| —Steven B. Quintanilla, Desert Hot Springs City Attorney[1] | ||
Support
Supporters
- Adam Sanchez, Mayor
- Joe McKee, City Council Member
- Jan Pye
- Scott Matas
- John H. Furbee
Arguments
The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of Measure JJ:[1]
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Last year the City cut its budget by $3.5 Million and cut another $1.6 Million prior to July 1, 2014 to make ends meet. The City had to reduce employees by 70%, employee salaries and benefits, and cut public programs and services. The proposed 1% sales tax increase measure (8% to 9%) will result in an economic boost and is estimated to generate $1.4 Million in general fund revenue. The revenue will be used for various City operations such as street sweeping; public parks and building maintenance; public safety; youth, adult and senior programs; and public infrastructure. If the measure fails, more drastic cuts will be forthcoming to essential City programs and services. The City has a population of nearly 28,000 and it continues to grow. Tourism is a vital industry to Desert Hot Springs as a result of our natural hot mineral water spas bringing in an estimated $1.2 Million during Fiscal Year 2013-14. While residents and visitors bring revenue dollars into the city, they also increase the cost of local services, such as transportation, parks, streets, public amenities, public safety, and other essential municipal services. A YES vote on this measure will:
Because of the numerous benefits associated with these communitywide issues, your support of Measure “JJ” will ensure the City reaches solvency to continue to provide a high level of service to its residents. Please vote YES on Measure “JJ”. [2] |
” |
| —Adam Sanchez, Joe McKee, Jan Pye, Scott Matas and John H. Furbee[1] | ||
Opposition
Opponents
- Robert M. Bentley, Former Police Commissioner, member, National Writer's Union - UAW Local 1981 AFL/CIO
Arguments
The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to Measure JJ:[1]
| “ | Be reasonable, be dignified, and we win.
Reject this, their second best idea. A Sales Tax Hike on DHS Residents, Businesses and Visitors Remember, I was the only one who told you the truth. Just After the Election... CBS Local 2 - Nov 12, 2013 DHS Residents Want Answers People we spoke with in Desert Hot Springs Tuesday could not believe the mayor and the entire council were not aware their city was projected to run out of money by early next year. “How wouldn’t they know? That’s what they do for a living,” 33-year DHS resident, Sam Jones, said. “They’re supposed to run the city. You’re telling me that they just don’t know, yet they’re going to go bankrupt.” “I’d like to know why does City Hall have to steal money from the people?” Art Shine said. “We’re paying through the nose as is.” The General Fund = City Council Slush Fund (Dark Pools of Money) Nearly $300 Million for a new prison in Indio, plenty of money for prison beds for DHS kids, but nothing else. Twisted priorities, a dead end for DHS kids. They claim they have made huge cuts to the budget. Are they lying again? The fact is if you cut money you were never going to have, that is not a cut. That is just reality crashing in on you. One defining characteristic of an actual cut is that you have the money left over afterward. Only in politics can you pat yourself on the back for not spending money you were never going to have. We don’t need to make cuts at all (or raise taxes). Just don’t allocate spending more than your revenue.[2] |
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| —Robert M. Bentley[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
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