Georgetown Library Parcel Tax, Measure G (June 2014)

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A Georgetown Library Parcel Tax, Measure G ballot question was on the June 3, 2014 election ballot for voters in the El Dorado County Georgetown Zone of Benefit in El Dorado County, California, where it was approved.

Measure G was designed to be imposed and collected by El Dorado County in the Georgetown Zone of Benefit (Zone G) in order to support and fund the Georgetown library. It replaced an expiring library parcel tax with a tax of $20 per both improved and unimproved parcel, adjusted for inflation by not more than 3% annually. The Measure G tax begins in the 2015-16 tax year and lasts for 12 years. The tax replaced by Measure G imposed tax rates of $18.00 per parcel of improved and unimproved land, $14.40 per apartment unit on a parcel and $9.00 per mobile home on a parcel.

A similar library tax, Measure L, was also voted on by residents of the El Dorado County South Lake Tahoe Zone of Benefit (Zone F) for the South Lake Tahoe library in the June 2014 election. It was also approved.

An alternative, countywide library tax measure, also called Measure L, was defeated by voters in 2012. The 2012 measure was not a continuation of a previous parcel tax. It would have also unified the El Dorado County tax system, establishing a parcel tax across all five zones of the county for 15 years.

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was required for the approval of Measure G.

Election results

Measure G
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		1,868	77.32%
No		548	22.68%

Election results from County of El Dorado Statewide Direct Primary Election

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

To replace the previous voter-approved expiring library special tax, shall El Dorado County levy the amount of $20.00 annually per parcel (with annual inflation adjustment not to exceed 3%) within County Service Area No. 10 Georgetown Divide Zone of Benefit, Zone G, for a period of twelve (12) years commencing in fiscal year 2015/16, to preserve continued funding for library services, hours, and operations and help avoid library closure?

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of Measure G was prepared by the office of the county counsel:

“	Measure G, if approved by 2/3 of the qualified voters voting on this measure, would authorize a special tax on parcels of real property within the Georgetown Divide Zone of Benefit, Zone G, of County Service Area No. 10 ("Zone"), to be used solely to provide library services and facilities within the Zone ("Library Special Tax"). The proposed new Library Special Tax would replace the expiring special parcel tax and would be used for the same purpose of supporting the county's Georgetown library. Currently, property owners within the Zone pay a voter approved annual special parcel tax for library services in the amount of $18.00 per parcel of improved and unimproved land, $14.40 per apartment unit on a parcel, and $9.00 per mobile home on a parcel. The existing special parcel tax expires, by its terms, on June 30, 2015. The proposed new Library Special Tax would be in the amount of $20.00 per year per parcel of improved and unimproved land, subject to a maximum annual inflation adjustment of 3%, and would be in effect for twelve years commencing July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2027. The proposed new Library Special Tax will be listed as a separate item on the county property tax bill for each affected parcel of land, and will be collected in the same way as the general property tax. All laws applicable to the levy, collection, and enforcement of county property taxes will be applicable to the special tax. Measure G also requires that an annual report be made to the County Board of Supervisors indicating the amount of funds collected and expended and the status of any project required or authorized to be funded by the proceeds. This measure was placed on the ballot by Resolution No. 011-2014 of the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors. This measure requires an affirmative vote of 2/3 or more of all qualified voters voting on the measure in order to pass. A "YES" vote is a vote to authorize the special tax provided in the measure. A "NO" vote is a vote against the special tax provided in the measure.	”
—Edward L. Knapp, El Dorado County Counsel

Support

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official arguments in favor of Measure G:

• Karen Shadle, retired school teacher, principal and educator
• Susan Whittington, school principal, teacher and educator
• Linnea Marenco, president of Divide Chamber of Commerce
• Buzz Chernoff, president of American River Folk Society
• Cornelius O'Quinn, president of Marshall Grange 451

Official arguments

The following official arguments were submitted in support of Measure G:

“	Special Tax for Library District G Support our Library. Vote YES on Measure G. Funding for the Georgetown Library, passed by the Georgetown Divide voters twenty years ago, is about to expire - at a time when reading, technology, education, and literacy are more important than ever before. For only $20 per parcel, per year we can maintain the funding that has kept our library open 5 days per week, put new books on our shelves and provided programs that promote the importance of reading for children. This special tax will continue the tax voters have previously approved two times. This measure PROTECTS Georgetown Library funding - it cannot be diverted to other county programs. All money raised by this special tax will be returned to the Georgetown Library to pay for books and materials, hours of operation, and library services. Measure G includes a mechanism to increase our library funding as costs go up, but the special tax will never be more than $28.50 per parcel, per year. This measure will expire after 12 years. With these funds, our local library will be able to maintain the hours it is currently open and to purchase new books. Children's storytimes, public computers, special events, and other valuable programs will be continued. The Georgetown Library is an irreplaceable asset for the whole community. Passing Measure G ensures continued access to the wide variety of programs and services currently offered to everyone. We must make our library a priority. Please join us in protecting our library and vote YES on Measure G.	”
—Karen Shadle, Susan Whittington, Linnea Marenco, Buzz Chernoff and Cornelius O'Quinn

Opposition

No official arguments were submitted in opposition to Measure G. If you have an argument that you would like to see posted here, please email the Local Ballot Measure Project staff writer.

Similar measures

a South Lake Tahoe Library Parcel Tax, Measure L (June 2014)

Related measures

d El Dorado County Library Parcel Tax, Measure L (November 2012)

See also

• California parcel tax on the ballot
• Parcel tax elections in California
• Parcel tax
• El Dorado County, California ballot measures
• June 3, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• El Dorado County Elections Department website