Lawndale, California, Measure L, Sales Tax (November 2018)

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Local ballot measure elections in 2018
Measure L: Lawndale Sales Tax
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The basics
Election date:
November 6, 2018
Status:
Approveda Approved
Topic:
Local sales tax
Amount: 0.75%
Expires in: No expiration
Related articles
Local sales tax on the ballot
November 6, 2018 ballot measures in California
Los Angeles County, California ballot measures
City tax on the ballot
See also
Lawndale, California

A sales tax measure was on the ballot for Lawndale voters in Los Angeles County, California, on November 6, 2018. It was approved.

A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing the city to enact a 0.75 percent sales tax to fund general city purposes.
A no vote was a vote against authorizing the city to enact a 0.75 percent sales tax to fund general city purposes.

Election results

Lawndale, California, Measure L, Sales Tax (November 2018)

Result Votes Percentage

Approved Yes

4,408 64.16%
No 2,462 35.84%
Results are officially certified.
Source

Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:[1]

Shall the measure, the CITY OF LAWNDALE VITAL CITY SERVICES MEASURE, establishing a three-quarter cent sales tax, generating about $2,100,000 annually until ended by voters, be adopted to maintain vital city services, including: 9-1-1 response times, fighting gangs/drugs, ensuring safe drinking water, programs that attract businesses and create jobs, emergency communications systems, neighborhood police patrols/the number of sheriff deputies, addressing homelessness, requiring annual audits, citizen oversight, with all funds to be used locally? [2]

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Lawndale City Attorney:

The City Council has prepared and is submitting Measure L to the voters of the City of Lawndale to add a new Chapter 3.22 to the City’s Municipal Code, titled “Transactions and Use Tax.” If approved at the November 6, 2018, election, Measure L will impose a ¾ cent per dollar (0.75%) transactions and use tax (i.e., sales tax) for general fund purposes. Specifically, Measure L places a tax of 0.75% upon City retailers’ gross receipts from the retail sale of most tangible personal property sold within the City, and an excise tax upon the storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property purchased from any retailer for storage, use or other consumption within the City at a rate of 0.75% of the sales price of the property, where “sales price” includes delivery charges subject to State sales or use tax, regardless of delivery destination.

It is estimated that revenues from this tax will generate approximately $2,100,000 annually for the purpose of funding general City services. Funds generated by the proposed tax are not restricted and may be used for any City general fund purposes, including, without limitation, maintaining:

– 9-1-1 response times
– Fighting gangs/drugs
– Ensuring safe drinking water
– Programs that attract businesses and create jobs
– Neighborhood police patrols
– Number of sheriff deputies

Measure L includes provisions for the establishment of an independent citizens’ oversight committee and annual financial audits.

As a sales tax, Measure L will apply to everyone who purchases retail goods within City limits. Food purchased as groceries and prescription medication will not be taxed under this measure. Visitors to Lawndale will bear part of the tax burden imposed by their local activities and thus contribute to the City’s ability to maintain general public services that they use while visiting. Residents and other purchasers of goods in the City will also be subject to the tax. The tax would be administered by the California Board of Equalization under contract with the City of Lawndale.

A “YES” vote is a vote to approve a 0.75% retail transactions and use general tax. A “NO” vote is a vote against a 0.75% retail transactions and use general tax. The transactions and use tax in Measure L would take effect only if it receives a majority “YES” vote at the November 6, 2018, general municipal election. The tax, if approved by the voters, will take effect 10 days after the City Council declares voter approval. As a local, voter-approved measure, current law would protect the funds generated by Measure L from being taken by the State.[2]

—Lawndale City Attorney[3]

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 governing officials of Lawndale, California.

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. County of Los Angeles, "Current and Upcoming Elections," accessed September 30, 2018
  2. 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  3. City of Lawndale, "Impartial Analysis," accessed October 5, 2018