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Redding, California, Sales Tax Increase, Measure D (November 2016)
| Measure D: Redding Sales Tax Increase |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Defeated
|
| Topic: |
| Local sales tax Expires in: 10 years |
| Related articles |
| Local sales tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Shasta County, California ballot measures City tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Redding, California |
A sales tax measure was on the ballot for Redding voters in Shasta County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was defeated.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing an increase in the sales tax by 0.5 percent, to 7.75 percent, for 10 years. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the sales tax by 0.5 percent and in favor of allowing the sales tax to decrease to 7.25 percent at the end of 2016. |
Election results
| Measure D | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 23,947 | 62.49% | ||
| Yes | 14,373 | 37.51% | ||
- Election results from Shasta County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
Shall an ordinance be adopted authorizing the City of Redding to collect a one-half of one percent sales tax (Transactions and Use Tax) for general municipal purposes for a period of ten years?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Redding City Attorney:
| “ |
Voter approval of this measure would amend the Redding Municipal Code by adding a transactions and use tax for a period of ten years on the sale and/or use of all tangible personal property sold at retail in the City of Redding, at the rate of one-half cent for every dollar spent (or one-half of one percent). The tax is commonly referred to as a “sales tax.” The measure, which was placed on the ballot by the Redding City Council, proposes a general tax from which the revenue would be placed in the Ci ty’s general fund. The City would not be bound to use the tax monies for any special purpose or for any particular services, projects, facilities, or programs. As such, this ballot measure proposes a “general tax” rather than a “special tax” and requires a simple majority vote for adoption. The proposed tax would be administered by the California State Board of Equalization at the same time and in the same manner as the City’s existing sales tax. Collection of the tax would begin on April 1, 2017. The tax would automatically terminate in ten years, unless extended by the voters in a future election. State and local tax on retail sales in Redding is currently 7.5% of the purchase price, but will decrease to 7.25% at the end of 2016. This measure authorizes a 0.50% transactions and use tax. Because the collection of the tax would not begin until April 1, 2017, the measure would have the effect of increasing the total sales tax rate in Redding from 7.25% to 7.75%. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of authorizing the transactions and use tax for a period of ten years. A “no” vote is a vote against authorizing the transactions and use tax.[2] |
” |
| —Redding 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]
- Missy McArthur, Mayor, City of Redding
- Brent Weaver, Vice-Mayor City of Redding
- Kristen Schreder, Council Member, City of Redding
- Francie Sullivan, Council Member, City of Redding
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[1]
| “ |
REDDING CITIZENS DESERVE TO BE SAFE AND PROTECTED, including families with grandparents and kids, businesses keeping our economy strong, and tourists who visit. While our economy has stabilized, we have had to deal with changes outside of our control: state- mandated prison releases, cutbacks in affordable housing, and over-crowded county jails. These dire circumstances have led to unacceptable consequences for our community, with more “smash-and-grabs” and lawbreakers out on the street without worry of retribution: bad behavior without punishment or restoration. With Recession cutbacks, some firefighters work in 2-person stations while the standard is 3-person stations: mandatory for entering a burning building. Paying ongoing expenses with the City’s reserve funds is not an option. These reserves must be maintained in the event of another Great Recession or other unforeseen expenses. There are no other hidden pots of gold in the City’s coffers. Measure D will provide funding for the margin of safety that our community must have to maintain the quality of life we’ve all come to expect. Its companion Measure, Measure E, will provide the guidelines as to how these funds are implemented in a specific manner. They are intended for only those purposes delineated in Measure E, with a sunset clause of 10 years and community oversight of these funds. LET’S TAKE BACK OUR CITY! Communities all around the state are grappling with similar issues. For example, Anderson passed a similar measure in the last election cycle with the resulting decrease in crime. It is important that you vote on this issue to be a voice in these critical decisions that impact the quality of life for you and yours. The status quo is not a solution. Vote for public safety. “YES” ON MEASURES D AND E. [2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[1]
- Gary Cadd, Council Member
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[1]
| “ |
The real purpose for the ½ cent sales tax increase will be to cover the increasing costs of unfunded and under funded pensions. It is estimated roughly $110 million will be generated by this tax! There is no guarantee this tax will be used for the Redding Police Department. What would prevent future councils from redirecting these funds elsewhere? It only takes three members of the Redding City Council to make that change. Taxing the public more does not solve the crime problem in Redding. The City’s top priority should be public safety. This council had the opportunity to fund the Redding Police Department but chose to spend general fund money in other areas. In the last four years, Council could have hired back most, if not all, of the police officers and CSOs that we lost in the great recession. The general fund budget in 2007-2008 was 72.8 million with 172 police personnel. The general fund budget in 2016-2017 is 73.5 million with 131 police personnel. This would indicate there are adequate reserves in the budget to fund the Police Department without a new tax. Council is also contributing more money each year to the CalPERS and PARS Retirement programs. As of June 30, 2014, unfunded pension liability surpassed $213 million, yet Council conti nues to give employee raises. It is time for the Redding City Council to move forward and staff the Redding Police Department today. This can be done, to a great extent, with the current budget we have. The lack of direction from this council is unacceptable. Let’s not increase the size of government, but rather hold it accountable. This council has asked the citizens of Redding for our trust but can we trust them into the future? Vote no on Measure D![2] |
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Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Redding, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Redding Local sales tax Measure D. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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