Fountain Valley, California, Sales Tax Increase, Measure HH (November 2016)
| Measure HH: Fountain Valley Sales Tax Increase |
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Approved
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| Topic: |
| Local sales tax Expires in: Never |
| Related articles |
| Local sales tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Orange County, California ballot measures City tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Fountain Valley, California |
A sales tax measure was on the ballot for Fountain Valley voters in Orange County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of establishing an additional 1 percent sales tax to fund city services, thereby increase the total sales tax rate in the city to 9 percent. |
| A no vote was a vote against establishing an additional 1 percent sales tax to fund city services, thereby leaving the total sales tax rate in the city at 8 percent. |
Election results
| Measure HH | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 14,617 | 59.84% | ||
| No | 9,808 | 40.16% | ||
- Election results from Orange County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
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To maintain 911 emergency response times, fire stations, police officers/firefighters/paramedics, anti-gang/drug programs, after school, senior programs; upgrade first responder disaster communication; repair stormwater systems to prevent flooding, streets/potholes/parks; other general city services, shall the City of Fountain Valley establish a one-cent sales tax providing $11.5 million annually for twenty year term, requiring public disclosure of expenditures, independent audits, all funds only for Fountain Valley?[2] |
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Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Fountain Valley City Attorney:
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On July 19, 2016, the City Council placed Measure HH, the Fountain Valley 911 Response Police-Fire/Essential City Services Measure, on the November 8, 2016 ballot. If approved by a majority of Fountain Valley voters, this Measure would authorize a one cent (1.0%) transactions and use (i.e. “sales”) tax within the City of Fountain Valley. Measure HH is intended to prevent significant cuts to general City services such as 911, police, and fire services; after-school recreation and gang prevention programs; street, pothole, and storm water system repairs; and business attraction/job creation programs, resulting from revenue shortfalls caused by recent economic factors. This sales tax would be a general tax, meaning revenues raised from the tax would go into the City’s general fund to maintain or enhance any lawful City program, improvement, or service such as those described. The City would not be required to use the revenues raised by Measure HH for any special purpose. California Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.9 authorizes the City to levy a local transactions and use/sales tax at a rate of one percent (one cent) so long as the tax is approved by two-thirds of the City Council and a majority of the voters voting in an election on that issue. If approved, the sales tax would become effective on April 1, 2017. The tax would be paid in addition to current sales taxes and would be collected at the same time and in the same manner as existing sales taxes. By law, all revenues raised by the Measure would belong to the City of Fountain Valley and could not be taken by, or shared with, the State or any other agency. By placing Measure HH on the ballot, the City complies with Proposition 218, which requires a majority of the voters to approve a general tax. A “yes” vote on Measure HH will authorize the sales tax A “no” vote on Measure HH will not authorize the sales tax The above statement is an impartial analysis of Ordinance or Measure. If you desire a copy of the Ordinance or Measure, please call the election official’s office at (714) 593-4410 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.[2] |
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| —Fountain Valley City Attorney[1] | ||
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:[1]
- Jynene Johnson, 39-year Resident
- Ed Sussman, 47-year Resident
- Susan Saurastri, 19-year Resident
- Ed Arnold, 49-year Resident
- Vince Bui, 16-year Resident
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[1]
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Valley’s money–causing reductions to OUR services. Tired of this money grab? Vote YES on HH! Fountain Valley’s firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement are the first to respond when an emergency occurs. They need the up-to-date emergency equipment to reach your family YES on HH provides. Response times for 911 calls are critical to stopping crime, protecting victims and saving lives! YES on HH helps maintain and increase our neighborhood patrols, put more officers on the street and improve law enforcement response times to every neighborhood in Fountain Valley. Did you know that 85% of our local Fire calls are for medical emergencies? YES on HH keeps our fire stations open, ensuring that firefighters and paramedics can quickly respond to emergencies and save lives. By law, Yes on HH requires strict fiscal accountability provisions, public spending reports, and annual independent audits, so every cent of our money is used effectively, efficiently, and as promised by law to voters. Sacramento can’t touch a dime! By law, ALL funds are required to remain local for Fountain Valley’s benefit! YES on HH maintains Fountain Valley’s safety and quality of life: YES on HH maintains 911 emergency response, neighborhood patrols and anti-gang/anti-drug programs YES on HH maintains Fountain Valley fire stations YES on HH maintains city-funded after-school, summer rec, youth job and gang prevention programs that serve more than 4,200 kids annually, keeping them safe and out of trouble YES on HH repairs streets/potholes YES on HH repairs Fountain Valley storm water systems to prevent flooding YES on HH maintains programs attracting businesses/creating jobs Measure HH is NOT a tax on your home or property and is not applied to prescription medication or food purchased as groceries. Out-of-town visitors share the cost.[2] |
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Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[1]
- David Pruyne
- Rochelle Giuseffi
- Gloria Pruyne
- Raymond Silva
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[1]
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The 1% sales tax proposed for Fountain Valley residents is a bad move on many levels. Already California, of all the states, is in the top three highest sales tax. In Orange County, we pay 8% total sales tax. Only .25 of that is county tax levied to solve a major financial crises. A full 1% sales tax increase added, would total a gigantic 9%. Who stands to lose from the high tax burden? -Business: residents will shop elsewhere to pay less -Residents: especially those on fixed incomes. Social Security with no increase In 2016 -The middle class -Big ticket manufacturers -City of Fountain Valley[2] |
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Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Fountain Valley, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Fountain Valley Local sales tax. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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