San Mateo County, California, Sales Tax, Measure K (November 2016)
| Measure K: San Mateo County Sales Tax |
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Approved
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| Topic: |
| Local sales tax Expires in: 20 years |
| Related articles |
| Local sales tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California San Mateo County, California ballot measures Local sales tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| San Mateo County, California |
A sales tax was on the ballot for San Mateo County voters in San Mateo County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of continuing a countywide 0.5 percent sales tax to fund county services. |
| A no vote was a vote against continuing a 0.5 percent sales tax to fund general county services. |
Election results
| Measure K | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 206,910 | 70.37% | ||
| No | 87,117 | 29.63% | ||
- Election results from San Mateo County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
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To ensure San Mateo County quality of life by retaining/improving critical facilities/services, such as: providing affordable homes for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, families; enhancing public transit; combatting human trafficking; addressing sea level rise; maintaining safe schools and neighborhoods; high-quality preschool and reading programs; park maintenance; and low-income healthcare, shall San Mateo County extend the existing half-cent sales tax, without increasing the rate, providing $85,000,000 annually for 20 years that the State cannot take away? [2] |
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Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the San Mateo County Counsel:
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On July 26, 2016, pursuant to Section 53723 of the Government Code, the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo adopted a resolution to extend the County of San Mateo’s existing one-half cent retail sales and use tax. Section 53723 of the Government Code and Section 7285 of the Revenue and Taxation Code require that the measure for a general tax be submitted to the voters of the County for approval. In November 2012, San Mateo County voters approved Measure A, which created a one-half cent sales and use tax (the “Measure A Sales Tax”) for a period of ten years. By its terms, the Measure A Sales Tax is currently scheduled to expire in 2023. Under Measure K, the Board of Supervisors proposes to extend the existing retail sales and use tax imposed by Measure A for twenty years at the current tax rate of one-half cent, meaning that the sales tax would continue until March 31, 2043. This tax would continue to be imposed on retail transactions and uses, as defined by Chapter 5.152 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code. The County’s stated reason for extending the sales tax is to continue supporting many services and programs, such as: providing affordable housing to seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and families; developing other long-term solutions to the affordable housing crisis; maintaining transit services for the elderly and people with disabilities; combatting human trafficking; maintaining emergency operations and 911 police, fire, and paramedic dispatch; maintaining child abuse protection programs; maintaining healthcare for low-income children, seniors, and people with disabilities; maintaining fire and emergency medical/paramedic response; maintaining preschool, afterschool, and library programs for children and teens; addressing the effects of sea level rise; keeping County parks open; maintaining countywide gang and drug task forces; and providing neighborhood health clinics. A “yes” vote on this measure would continue the Measure A Sales Tax within the boundaries of San Mateo County at a rate of one-half cent for an additional twenty years, through March 31, 2043. A “no” vote on this measure would not allow the Measure A Sales Tax to be extended, and the Measure A Sales Tax would expire on March 31, 2023. This measure passes if a majority of those voting on the measure vote “yes.”[2] |
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| —San Mateo County Counsel[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]
- Dave Pine, San Mateo County Supervisor
- Michele Beasley, Executive Director, San Mateo County Parks Foundation
- Kalimah Salahuddin, Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco Board Member
- Ari Delay, Fire Chief, La Honda Fire Brigade
- Anne Campbell, County Superintendent of Schools
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[1]
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In 2012, San Mateo County voters overwhelmingly approved funding that has dramatically improved our county, through fiscally responsible investment in:
Today San Mateo County faces new challenges, especially around affordability, as thousands of longtime residents are being forced to move away. Extending this funding for 20 years at the current rate with no new taxes will allow us to maintain critical services, address many of today's new challenges and continue the progress we have made, such as:
By law, Measure K funds cannot be taken away by the state. An independent oversight committee and annual audits will ensure that every penny is accounted for and spent locally on crucial San Mateo County services. Vote YES on K to provide locally controlled funds with NO new taxes to maintain our quality of life and promote affordability in every community, including Atherton, Belmont, Belle Haven, Brisbane, Broadmoor, Burlingame, Colma, Daly City, East Palo Alto, El Granada, Emerald Hills, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, La Honda, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Montara, Moss Beach, North Fair Oaks, Pacifica, Pescadero, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco, and Woodside. Join San Mateo County residents, seniors, law enforcement, businesses, community leaders, affordable housing advocates, and your neighbors in voting YES on Measure K to promote affordability and protect our unique quality of life with NO new taxes. |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[1]
- Matt Grocott, Former Mayor, San Carlos
- Jack Hickey, Sequoia Healthcare District Director
- Michael Stogner, Victim's Advocate
- Lisa Taner, Community Advocate
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[1]
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Why now? In 2012 voters passed an increase in the sales tax which was to be a temporary tax increase until 2023. But now, with seven more years of the term, the Board of Supervisors is asking for an extension of this temporary increase for an additional twenty years beyond 2023 to now end in 2043. This extension does not put any more money into the county's General Fund right now. So why is this being asked of the voters at this time? The extension is being sold to voters as a way of possible helping the affordable housing crisis but again nothing changes until 2023 if the tax extension is passed. Measure A currently supports a variety of social programs but voters need to remember that a tax hike like this goes to the general fund and is not specifically earmarked. If the county wants to help solve the affordable housing crisis, then why not put it in the form of a bond measure so a definite amount of funding can be designated? What is the rush to extend a temporary tax for another twenty (20) years? Per the County Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year ending June 30, 2015:
There is no urgency to extend a temporary sales tax another twenty (20) years at this time. Give more time to evaluate the current process. Vote NO on extending what was to be a temporary sales tax increase. |
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Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of San Mateo County, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms San Mateo County Local sales tax. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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