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City of South Pasadena Library Parcel Tax, Measure L (November 2015)
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| Measure info Amount: $16-$64/unit |
A parcel tax question was on the ballot for South Pasadena voters in Los Angeles County, California, on November 3, 2015. It was approved.
Measure L extended the city's library parcel tax for eight years. It also increased the parcel tax rates depending on size and type of property according to the following formulas:[1]
- Fewer than 2,000 square feet: increase from $24 per year to $32 per year
- Between 2,001 and 4,000 square feet: increase from $36 per year to $48 per year
- Larger than 4,000 square feet: increase from $48 per year to $64 per year
- Multi-unit residential parcels: increase from $12/unit per year to $16/unit per year
- Non-residential parcels: between $32 and $128 per year, depending on the size of the property.
The city had levied a library parcel tax since 1994. The continuation of the tax was last approved by voters in November 2009, also under the name Measure L. Between 2009 and 2015, the tax generated about $230,000 per year in revenue for the city's library system. The tax was set to expire in 2016 without the approval of Measure L by voters in 2015.[1]
A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was required for the approval of Measure L.
Election results
| South Pasadena, Measure L | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Yes | 2,933 | 81.79% | ||
| No | 653 | 18.21% | ||
- Election results from Office of the Los Angeles County Clerk
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[2]
| “ |
To keep the South Pasadena Public Library open every day and to help update its technology, shall an ordinance be adopted extending the Library Special Tax for 8 years; setting the rate for homeowners at $32-$64/year depending on residential square footage; for non-residential property owners at $32-$128/year based on lot size and for multi-family property owners at $16/unit; and adding an annual Los Angeles Consumer Price Index adjustment?[3] |
” |
Support
Supporters
The South Pasadena Yes on L committee was formed to campaign in support of the library parcel tax.[4]
The following individuals signed the official argument in support of Measure L:[5]
- Bob Joe, mayor of South Pasadena
- Edward Pearson, president of the library board of trustees
- Jon Primuth, president South Pasadena Education Foundation
- Ann Messana, president of Friends of the South Pasadena Library
- Brendan Durrett, chair of We Love Our Library: Yes on Measure L
Arguments in favor
The following statement in support of Measure L was posted on the South Pasadena Yes on L website:
| “ |
In 1994 our community showed its support for the library by overwhelmingly passing the parcel tax. It has been renewed by large margins three times since then. It generates about 15% of the library budget. The renewed parcel tax would be $32.00 per year for most South Pasadena homes (there is an exemption for residents with low household incomes). This is a modest increase over the rate set in 1994, to account for inflation over the past 21 years. There will also be a Consumer Price Index factor starting next year so we do not fall behind again. For this small fee the benefits to our community are tremendous. The South Pasadena library is well-used and beloved by South Pasadenans. At the library people borrow books, CDs and DVDs, read magazines for leisure, bring their children to Storytimes, attend free programs for their own enrichment and enjoyment, and more. In 2014 we circulated over 430,000 items, over 280,000 people of all ages entered the library, 2,650 children participated in the summer reading program, and overall about 28,000 people enjoyed over 500 programs. Without the revenue from the parcel tax, our library would not be able to remain open seven days a week or perform much needed technological upgrades. There would be cuts to the hours, staff, book collection, internet access, children’s programs and extensive offerings we enjoy today.[3] |
” |
| —South Pasadena Yes on L[4] | ||
Official arguments
The following was submitted as the official argument in favor of Measure L:
| “ |
In 1994 the South Pasadena community showed its support for the library by overwhelmingly passing the parcel tax. It has been renewed by large margins three times since then. The parcel tax generates about 15% of the library budget. Measure L would renew the parcel tax for eight years. The tax would be $32 per year for most South Pasadena homes (there is an exemption for residents with low household incomes). The rates would be: Single family residences: $32-$64 per year (depending on size) This is a modest increase over the rates set in 1994, to account for inflation over the past 21 years. There will also be a Consumer Price Index factor starting next year so we do not fall behind again. For this small fee the benefits to our community are tremendous. The South Pasadena library is well-used and beloved by South Pasadenans. At the library people borrow books, CDs and DVDs, read magazines, bring children to storytimes, attend free programs for their own enrichment and enjoyment, and more. In 2014 we circulated over 430,000 items, more than 280,000 people of all ages and backgrounds visited the library, 2,650 children participated in the Summer Reading Program, and about 28,000 people enjoyed over 500 educational and cultural programs. Over 85% of South Pasadena students have library cards. Without parcel tax revenue out library would be unable to remain open seven days a week or perform needed technological upgrades such as enhancing Wi-Fi access and acquiring additional public computer workstations. There would be cuts to the hours, staff, book collection, internet access, children's programs and extensive offerings we enjoy today. Thank you very much for your support of the library.[3] |
” |
| —Bob Joe, Edward Pearson, Jon Primuth, Ann Messana and Brendan Durrett[6] | ||
Opposition
No official ballot argument in opposition to Measure L was filed by the deadline. If you know of endorsements or arguments that should be posted here, please email the Local Ballot Measures Project staff writer.
Path to the ballot
This measure was put before voters by the city council.[1]
Related measures
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms South Pasadena library parcel tax Measure L. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Parcel tax elections in California
- Parcel tax
- California parcel tax on the ballot
- Los Angeles County, California ballot measures
- November 3, 2015 ballot measures in California
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 South Pasadena City Government, "Notice of Election on November 3, 2015," accessed September 25, 2015
- ↑ Los Angeles County Elections Office, “Measures appearing on the ballot on November 3, 2015,” accessed September 8, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 South Pasadena Yes on L, "Home," accessed September 25, 2015
- ↑ South Pasadena Yes on L, "South Pasadena Library Parcel Tax on November ballot," August 4, 2015
- ↑ Ballotpedia staff writer Josh Altic, "Email correspondence with city clerk," September 27, 2015
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