Lafayette School District, California, Measure L, Parcel Tax (March 2020)

Lafayette School District Measure L
Election date March 3, 2020
Topic California parcel tax
Status a Approved
Type Referral	Origin Lawmakers
List of California measuresCalifornia Proposition 13 (March)California Proposition 14California Proposition 15California Proposition 16California Proposition 17California Proposition 18California Proposition 19California Proposition 20California Proposition 21California Proposition 22California Proposition 23California Proposition 24California Proposition 25Submit

A parcel tax measure was on the ballot for Lafayette School District voters in Contra Costa County, California, on March 3, 2020. It was approved.

A yes vote supported authorizing the Lafayette School District to levy for seven years an annual parcel tax—a kind of property tax based on units of property rather than assessed value—of $290 per parcel.

A no vote opposed authorizing the Lafayette School District to levy for seven years an annual parcel tax—a kind of property tax based on units of property rather than assessed value—of $290 per parcel.

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

Election results

Contra Costa County Measure L
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		9,905	73.13%
No		3,639	26.87%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:

“

To protect the quality of education and prevent deep cuts to Lafayette elementary and middle school programs in math, science, engineering, technology, reading, music, and the arts, maintain manageable class sizes to enhance student achievement, and attract and retain highly qualified teachers, shall Lafayette School District establish a $290 parcel tax for 7 years only, providing $3,011,360 annually in dedicated funding for neighborhood schools, with independent citizen oversight, an exemption for seniors, and all money staying local?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the Contra Costa County Counsel:

“ The governing board of the Lafayette School District has adopted a resolution proposing a parcel tax (a qualified special tax). This ballot measure asks voters to decide whether a parcel tax should be imposed on parcels of taxable real property within the District for seven years, beginning July 1, 2020. The proposed tax would expire June 30, 2027. The tax would apply to each parcel of taxable real property in the District. The annual tax would be $290 per taxable parcel. A parcel of taxable real property is any unit of real property in the District that receives a separate tax bill for property taxes from the Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. The tax would be adjusted annually for inflation, commencing July 1, 2021, in an amount not to exceed 3% per year. The annual inflation adjustment will be based on increases in the Consumer Price Index. The ballot measure includes an exemption. Upon proper application to the District, the District may exempt any parcel from the parcel tax that is owned and occupied as a principal residence by a person 65 years of age or older. A parcel otherwise exempt from property taxes will also be exempt from the imposition of the parcel tax. The ballot measure states that the proceeds of the parcel tax will be used to “protect the quality of education and prevent deep cuts to Lafayette elementary and middle school programs in math, science, engineering, technology, reading, music, and the arts, maintain manageable class sizes to enhance student achievement, and attract and retain highly qualified teachers.” Proceeds from the parcel tax may be used only for the specific purposes set forth in the ballot measure and according to constitutional and statutory provisions. State law requires the District’s chief fiscal officer to file an annual report with the District’s Board of Education that states the amounts of funds received and expended in each year and the status of any projects required or authorized to be funded from the parcel tax proceeds. The proceeds from the parcel tax will be deposited into a District account that will be kept separate from other District accounts. The measure also will require the District to establish an appointed independent citizens’ oversight committee to oversee the use of parcel tax proceeds. Two-thirds of those voting on the ballot measure must approve the measure for it to pass. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of authorizing the parcel tax for a seven-year period of time. A “no” vote is a vote against authorizing the parcel tax for a seven-year period of time. ”

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the Lafayette School District officials.

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2020
• California parcel tax on the ballot

• Contra Costa County measures
• Parcel tax

California

• March 3, 2020 measures in California
• Local ballot measures, California
• Lafayette School District, California
• Parcel tax elections in California

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic
• Contra Costa County Elections Office website