Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
Pittsburg, California, Sales Tax Extention, Measure M (June 2016)
| Measure M: Pittsburg Sales Tax Extention |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| June 7, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Approved
|
| Topic: |
| Local sales tax Expires in: 17 years |
| Related articles |
| Local sales tax on the ballot June 7, 2016 ballot measures in California Contra Costa County, California ballot measures City tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Pittsburg, California |
A sales tax extention measure was on the ballot for Pittsburg voters in Contra Costa County, California, on June 7, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of extending the city's local general sales tax of 0.5 percent until 2035, generating between $3.6 and $3.8 million in revenue for the city each year. |
| A no vote was a vote against extending the city's local sales tax, allowing it to drop down to 0.25 percent in October 2017 and expire all together five years after that. |
This sales tax measure was for a general sales tax, which means all revenue was earmarked for the city's general fund to be used for any government purpose. In California, sales tax measures earmarked for a specific purpose require a two-thirds (66.67%) vote for approval.
Election results
| Pittsburg, Measure M | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 8,631 | 81.57% | ||
| No | 1,950 | 18.43% | ||
- Election results from Contra Costa County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
To provide funding that stays in Pittsburg and cannot be seized by the State, to be used for Public Safety, gang prevention, job creation programs for local residents, Senior Center operations, repair roads, operate youth programs, and maintain other City services, shall the City of Pittsburg extend its current half-cent sales tax through fiscal year 2034-2035, providing $3.6-$3.8 million annually, then the increase be terminated, altogether, with citizens’ oversight, mandatory audits and consistent community reporting?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Pittsburg City Attorney:
| “ |
In 2012, City of Pittsburg voters approved a temporary transactions and use tax of one-half of one percent (0.5%) for a period of five years. In October 2017, that tax amount is scheduled to become one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) for a period of five years, after which the tax will expire. The City of Pittsburg City Council has placed Measure M on the ballot, asking voters to approve continuing the current temporary transactions and use tax amount of one-half of one percent (0.5%) through fiscal year 2034–2035, after which the tax will automatically expire. The tax results in one-half of one cent per dollar spent in Pittsburg going to the City, on the conditions listed below. The Measure maintains the Citizens’ Oversight Committee consisting of at least three members of the public. The City Council appoints Committee members, who review the receipt and expenditures of the tax revenues. The Committee’s reports and recommendations are public record, provided to the City Council at a public meeting. The Measure is a “general tax,” not a “special tax.” The City may use the funds for a variety of purposes, including public safety, gang and domestic violence prevention, job creation programs for residents, Senior Center operations, road repairs, and operation of youth programs. The tax is a combination of a “sales and use tax” and “transactions and use tax.” With some exceptions, both are levied on the sale or use of tangible personal property sold at retail and are generally known as a “sales tax.” Retailers collect the tax at the time of sale and remit the funds to the State Board of Equalization, which administers the tax. Currently, the total existing tax on retail sales in Pittsburg is 9.00% of the purchase price. The City receives a total of 1.5% of the revenue generated by this tax, with the remainder going to the State (6.25%), Contra Costa County (.25%), Contra Costa Transportation Authority (0.5%), and BART (0.5%). Proceeds of the temporary tax extension proposed in Measure M would go only to the City and not to the State, County, Transportation Authority, or BART. If Measure M is approved, the current general tax would continue at its present level. Pittsburg’s portion of sales tax proceeds would remain at 1.5% through fiscal year 2034–2035. If Measure M is not approved, Pittsburg’s portion of sales tax proceeds will drop to 1.25% in October 2017, and to 1.00% in October 2022. A “Yes” vote will approve a temporary continuation of the existing half-cent tax, with receipt and expenditures overseen by the Citizens’ Oversight Committee. A “No” vote will not extend the tax. Measure M would be approved if it receives a simple majority of “Yes” votes.[2] |
” |
| —Pittsburg City Attorney[1] | ||
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Pittsburg, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Pittsburg Local sales tax. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Contra Costa County Elections, "Presidential Primary Election 06/07/2016: Voter Information," accessed May 26, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| |||||
