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City of Rio Dell Sales Tax, Measure U (November 2014)
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A City of Rio Dell Sales Tax, Measure U ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the city of Rio Dell in Humboldt County, California. It was approved.
Measure U authorized the city to impose a 1 percent sales tax in the city. The tax was designed to be a general tax, which means revenue was set go into the city's general fund to be used for any governmental purpose. The approval of Measure U resulted in a total sales tax rate in the city of 8.5 percent, 7.5 percent for the state sales tax and 1 percent for the city.[1]
County voters also decided Measure Z in November, which sought a countywide half-cent sales tax. Since Measure Z and Measure U were both approved, the total sales tax rate for city residents was set at 9 percent.[1]
Without the approval of Measure U or Measure Z, the only sales tax paid by Rio Dell City residents would have been the state sales tax of 7.5 percent.[1]
Election results
| Rio Dell City Measure U | ||||
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Yes | 376 | 51.86% | ||
| No | 349 | 48.14% | ||
Election results via: Humboldt County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The question on the ballot:[1]
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Shall the City of Rio Dell increase the sales tax by 1%, for five years only, providing locally controlled funding that cannot be taken by the State?[2] |
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Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure U:[1]
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The City Council is submitting to the voters the question of whether to approve an ordinance enacting a temporary sales tax within the City of Rio Dell to fund City services and facilities, such as improving police protection, repairing streets and potholes, and improving other general City services and facilities. The tax rate would be one percent (1.0%) of the retail sales price -- or one cent for an item that costs one dollar. The tax would remain in effect for five years. A “sales tax” is a combination of “sales and use tax” and “transactions and use tax.” Both are levied on the sale or use of tangible personal property sold at retail, with certain limited exceptions. Retailers collect the tax at the time of sale and remit the funds to the State Board of Equalization which administers the tax. Currently, the tax on retail sales in Rio Dell is seven and one-half percent (7.50%) of the purchase price. This measure would authorize a 1.0% transactions and use (sales) tax, which would increase the total sales tax rate to 8.50%. The tax would automatically terminate five years after it becomes operative, unless extended by the voters. The tax proceeds would be deposited into the City’s general fund and be available to support the full range of municipal services. Because this measure does not legally restrict the use of tax revenue to any specific purposes, it is classified as a “general tax,” not a “special tax.” The tax proceeds may be used for any valid municipal governmental purpose and cannot legally be taken away by the State. The tax proceeds would be subject to the same independent annual audit requirements as other general fund revenue. The audit report would be a matter of public record. A “Yes” vote is a vote in favor of the tax. A “No” vote is a vote against the tax. This measure would be approved if it receives a simple majority of “Yes” votes.[2] |
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| —Russell S. Gans, Rio Dell City Attorney[1] | ||
Related measures
Humboldt County Sales Tax, Measure Z (November 2014)
See also
- Sales tax in California
- Local sales tax on the ballot
- Humboldt County, California ballot measures
- November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California
External links
Footnotes
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