El Cerrito, California, Library Bond Issue, Measure B (November 2016)
| Measure B: El Cerrito Library Bond Issue |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 DefeatedMajority required: 66.67% |
| Topic: |
| City bonds |
| Related articles |
| City bonds on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Contra Costa County, California ballot measures |
| See also |
| El Cerrito, California |
A bond issue was on the ballot for El Cerrito voters in Contra Costa County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was defeated.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of issuing $30 million in bonds to upgrade the El Cerrito Library. |
| A no vote was a vote against issuing $30 million in bonds to upgrade the El Cerrito Library. |
A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was required for the approval of this measure.
Election results
| Measure B | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 4,653 | 37.04% | ||
| Yes | 7,910 | 62.96% | ||
- Election results from Contra Costa County Elections Division
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
To replace the 67 year old El Cerrito Library with a safe, energy efficient, 21st century library that meets earthquake and fire codes with space for a children's area for story times/books; public access computers/computer learning center; up-to-date book/resource collections; and improved senior/disabled access, shall El Cerrito issue $30,000,000 in bonds at legal rates for 33 years, as the Voter Guide describes, requiring independent citizen oversight, and all funds for El Cerrito Library? [2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the El Cerrito City Attorney:
| “ |
The El Cerrito City Council placed Measure B on the ballot to ask the City’s voters to approve the issuance of $30 million in general obligation bonds to fund the construction of a new El Cerrito library. The existing El Cerrito library was built in 1948 and expanded in 1960 to its current size, 6,500 square feet. In 2006 and 2014, qualified professionals analyzed the current and anticipated use of the library by the El Cerrito community through 2030. The analyses concluded that a facility approximately 20,845 square feet would meet current and future needs. A new library would also be designed for current and future technology and meet current seismic and disabled accessibility standards, unlike the current library. The City has identified several potential sites for a new library, some of which would require the acquisition of land. The library project potentially includes associated facilities that would provide additional space for educational and recreational programming. Bond proceeds could be used to fund land acquisition; design, planning, and construction of the library project; and any equipment, fixtures, and materials for the project permitted by law. Principal and interest on the bonds would be paid for by taxes levied on taxable real property in El Cerrito. Annual revenue from the taxes levied must be sufficient to pay each year’s principal and interest. Actual tax rates, the final fiscal year in which the taxes would be levied, and the total cost of the bonds depend on market conditions when bonds are sold (which establishes the interest rate), the number of series of bonds sold, and total assessed valuation of taxable property each year. The City anticipates issuing the bonds in two series, starting in 2017. The final fiscal year in which the taxes would be levied is anticipated to be 2049-50. The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds is $18.78 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2017-18. The best estimate of the tax rate that would be required during the first fiscal year after the last sale of the bonds is $42.80 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2020-21. The best estimate of the highest tax rate that would be required is $43.09 per $100,000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2021-22. The best estimate of the average annual tax rate that would be required over the entire life of the bond debt service is $31.07 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. The City’s Finance Director would be required to prepare an annual report regarding the use of bond proceeds and the status of the library project. The report would be submitted to the City’s Financial Advisory Board for review. A “Yes” vote is a vote to approve the proposed bonds for a new El Cerrito library. A “No” vote is a vote against the bonds. Measure B would be approved if two-thirds of voters voting on the measure vote “Yes.”[2] |
” |
| —El Cerrito City Attorney[3] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[3]
- Alan C. Miller, President, El Cerrito Library Foundation
- William C. Jones, III, Former Mayor, City of El Cerrito/Retiree
- David Luongo, Former ECHS Principal/Resident
- Joe Gagne, Local 1230 Representative for El Cerrito, Firefighter
- Patricia Durham, Business Owner/ EC Community Activist
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[3]
| “ |
Vote YES on B – A Safe, Modern Library for El Cerrito! Consider this:
YES on B provides a SEISMICALLY-SAFE, MODERN LIBRARY for El Cerrito residents to use, for years to come. YES on B provides an up-to-date, functioning 21st century library, including:
YES on B expands after-school and summer programming for youth/teens to keep them off the streets, out of trouble, and away from gangs/drugs. YES on B provides more space for children and youth programs, an expanded library collection, public computers, group study areas and community meeting rooms. YES on B provides after-school programs for children and teens such as the homework help and reading resources so critical to providing students the resources they need. YES on B includes strong fiscal accountability, Independent Citizen Oversight, mandatory financial audits, and local control of funds to ensure all funds are spent as promised. Join a unanimous City Council, local teachers, firefighters, El Cerrito Library Foundation leaders, and Friends of the El Cerrito Library in voting YES on B for a safe, modern library for future generations. Remember to VOTE LOCAL this busy election—we need a 2/3s vote! Visit www.YesonB.ElCerritoLibrary.org to get information or volunteer.[2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[3]
- Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, Jack Weir, President
- Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, Susan L. Pricco, Chair, West County Branch
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[3]
| “ |
How many tax measures are on your ballot? If Measure B passes, this will be a new line item on your “Secured Property Tax Bill” to siphon money from your pockets. $30,000,000 translates to an average of about $31 per $100,000 of assessed property value, or about $150 a year for a $500,000 home. But that is just where it starts, and can increase heavily over the life of the repayment. Over the next 33 years, taxpayers could pony up as much as $60 million dollars, depending on interest and fees. The rising charges will be paid by the city taxpayers. El Cerrito already boasts the highest sales tax rate in the county, one of the highest in the State. Sure, a new library sounds nice, but at what cost? Other cities manage to fund safe, clean, up-to-date, accessible libraries for much less. Another option is a remodel and upgrade. Have those been considered? The measure states, in part, “shall El Cerrito issue $30,000,000 in bonds at legal rates”. Perhaps a clearer statement is “Shall you pay an unknown total amount to build an overpriced library for at least the next 33 years?” Vote No on Measure B[2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of El Cerrito, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms El Cerrito City bonds. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Contra Costa County Clerk, "November 8, 2016, Local Measures," accessed October 14, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Contra Costa County Elections Division, "Measure," accessed October 14, 2016
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