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City of Pacifica Utility Users Tax, Measure V (November 2013)
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A City of Pacifica Utility Users Tax, Measure V ballot question was on the November 5, 2013, election ballot for voters in the city of Pacifica in San Mateo County, which is in California. It was defeated.
Measure V would have expired in eight years. The utility tax rate could not have been increased and no exemptions would have been removed or changed without voter approval.[1]
Election results
| Measure V | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 No | 4,971 | 65.9% | ||
| Yes | 2,575 | 34.1% | ||
- These final, certified results are from the San Mateo County elections office.
Text of measure
The question on the ballot:
| Measure V:
“Without raising the current 6.5% rate, and to fund fire protection; emergency services; police protection; Meals on Wheels and other senior citizen services; street, sidewalk and pothole repair; and other essential services, shall an ordinance be adopted to amend the City of Pacifica’s Utility Users Tax adding telecommunications services, requiring equal treatment regardless of technology used, maintaining senior exemptions and adding independent citizens oversight, with all funds staying in Pacifica and no funds for Sacramento?”[1][2] |
Support
Support Pacifica's Future was leading the campaign in favor of Measure V.[3]
Supporters
Officials
- State Senator Jerry Hill (D-13)
- State Assemblymember Kevin Mullin (D-1)
- Pacifica Mayor Len Stone
- Pacifica Mayor Pro Tem Mary Ann Nihart
- Pacifica City Councilmember Mike O'Neill
- Pacifica City Councilmember Karen Ervin
- Pacifica City Councilmember Sue Digre
- San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley
- San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine
- San Mateo County Supervisor Carole Groom
- San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier
- San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum
- Pacifica School District Trustee Richard Faust
- Pacifica School District Trustee Joan Weideman
- Pacifica School District Trustee Eric Ruchames
- Pacifica School District Trustee Andrea Gould
- Pacifica School District Trustee Matt Levie
- Jefferson Union High School District Trustee Kalimah Salahuddin
- Jefferson Union High School District Trustee Jeanne Matysiak
Organizations
Individuals
- Bruce M Banco, Chair of the Pacifica Financing City Services Task Force
- Dave Bertini, Former Pacifica Police Captain
- Suzan Getchell-Wallace, Realtor with Coldwell Banker
- Eric Ruchames, Retired Police Sergeant
- Allan Hale, resident of Pacifica
- Linda L. Jonas, resident of Pacifica
- Kalimah Salahuddin, Pacifica Resource Center
- Susan Vaterlaus, Planning Commissioner
- Joseph Kell,Financing City Services Task Force
Arguments
Proponents of Measure V had outlined their arguments in the League of Women Voters’ Voter Guide. The arguments included the following:[6]
- Pacifica is one of the safest cities in the United States. Measure V will continue this trend.
- Citizen oversight committees and annual audits by third-parties will guarantee revenues are spent wisely and appropriately.
- Attempting a rebuttal against opponents, proponents argued, "The argument against Measure V is simply not true... There is no $1.4 million budget surplus. Pacifica has balanced its budget by freezing employee salaries, cutting pensions and benefits and laying off 33% of its staff." Proponents provided a link to the city's budget.
Opposition
Vote No on V led the campaign against Measure V.[7]
Opponents
Organizations
- Pacifica Chamber of Commerce[8]
Individuals
- Thomas Clifford, Co-Chair of Pacificans Against Higher Utility Taxes
- William "Leo" Leon, resident of Foster City
- Mary Catherine Neff, Retired Teacher
- Barbara Ash, Business Owner
- Karen Rosenstein, Business Owner
Arguments
Proponents of Measure V had outlined their arguments in the League of Women Voters’ Voter Guide. The arguments included the following:[6]
- This is an unnecessary and unfair tax increase.
- "Pacifica's Government always wants more, threatening us unless we approve taxes. Pacifica's budget surplus is $1.4 million. The state is no longer taking it's money."
- Attempting a rebuttal against proponents, opponents argued, "Don't be deceived - THIS IS A 60% TAX INCREASE... Pacifica will never make overdue economies as long as it thinks the voters can be fooled into taxing ourselves more."
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 San Mateo County local measures for November 5, 2013 election, Measure V
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Support Pacifica's Future
- ↑ San Mateo County Democratic Party, "Endorsement Information for Candidates and Campaigns," accessed October 23, 2013
- ↑ San Mateo Labor Council, “Endorsements November Election 2013”, accessed October 23, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 League of Women Voters of California, "Measure V Utility Tax City of Pacifica," accessed October 23, 2013
- ↑ Vote No on V
- ↑ Pacifica Patch, "Pacifica Chamber Takes a Position on Measure V, the Utility Users Tax," August 27, 2013
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