Santa Clara County, California, Park Charter Fund Extension, Measure A (June 2016)
| Measure A: Santa Clara County Park Charter Fund Extension |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| June 7, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Approved
|
| Topic: |
| County budget |
| Related articles |
| County budget on the ballot June 7, 2016 ballot measures in California Santa Clara County, California ballot measures Local environment on the ballot |
| See also |
| Santa Clara County, California |
A measure to extend the Santa Clara County Park Charter Fund was on the ballot for Santa Clara County voters in Santa Clara County, California, on June 7, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of extending the Santa Clara County Park Charter Fund through a transfer from the annual fund every year for fifteen years. |
| A no vote was a vote against extending the Park Charter Fund, allowing it to expire in 2021. |
The measure was also designed to increase the amount set aside from the general fund from the equivalent property tax revenue of $14.25 per $100,000 in assessed value to the revenue from approximately $15.00 per $100,000 in assessed property value. Although this measure ensures the fund's existence for 15 years, from 2017 through 2032, it only extends the previously set life of the fund by 11 years, since it was initially designed to expire in 2021.[1]
Measure A was designed to earmark the park fund's assets in the following way:
- ten percent for property acquisition (decreased from 15 percent)
- ten percent for park development and improvement (increased from 5 percent)
- the remainder for park operations
The park fund was first established in the county charter in 1972 and was renewed six times prior to 2016's Measure A. The preceding renewal occurred in 2006 when 71 percent of county voters approved the renewal of the fund for 12 years beginning in 2009.[2]
Election results
| Santa Clara County, Measure A | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 310,794 | 78.08% | ||
| No | 87,240 | 21.92% | ||
- Election results from Santa Clara County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
To continue protecting and preserving local parks; improving access to natural areas, open space, trails and recreational opportunities; keeping restrooms and facilities clean and safe; and maintaining, operating, acquiring and improving local parks, shall the Santa Clara County Park Charter Fund, established in 1972, be extended by an annual general fund transfer estimated to equal 1.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation of all property for 15 years, without increasing taxes and all funds benefitting Santa Clara County parks?[3] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Santa Clara County Counsel:
| “ |
The County of Santa Clara operates and maintains parks throughout the county. Currently, the County Charter requires that the County set aside a portion of the property tax it collects and deposit that amount in the County park fund. The amount of the set aside is 1.425 cents per $100 of assessed value of all real and personal property in Santa Clara County. The County must use at least fifteen percent of the set aside funds for the acquisition of real property for County park purposes, and at least five percent for park development. The County must use the remaining amount for the operation of County parks. These set aside and funding requirements expire on June 30, 2021. Measure A would amend the County Charter to:
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors placed Measure A on the ballot. A "yes" vote is a vote to extend the process of setting aside a portion of the property tax the County collects and depositing that amount into the County park fund from June 30, 2021 until June 30, 2032; increase the amount of that set aside beginning on July 1, 2017 Írom 1.425 cents to 1.5 cents per $100 of assessed value of property in Santa Clara County; and require that at least ten percent of the set aside funds be used for the acquisition of property for park purposes, at least 10 percent be used for park development and the remaining amount be used for park operations. A "no" vote is a vote is to not make these changes, and to continue the set aside of a portion of the property tax the County collects and deposit into the County park fund until June 30, 2021 at the current rate of 1.425 cents per $100 of assessed value of property, and to keep.the current requirements that at least fifteen percent of the set aside funds be used for acquisition of property for park purposes, at least five percent be used for park development and the remaining amount be used for park operations. [3] |
” |
| —Santa Clara County Counsel[4] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[4]
| “ |
Vote YES on Measure A to protect, preserve, expand and enhance our outstanding Santa Clara County Parks. Thanks to community support, we have beautiful open space, trails and parks right here in our community making it a wonderful place to live. Whether you use Alviso Marina on the Bay; Mt. Madonna and Uvas Canyon in the Santa Cruz Mountains; urban parks like Vasona, Hellyer, and Ed Levin; remote Grant Ranch and Coyote Bear Ranch; or trails such as at Rancho San Antonio or along Los Gatos Creek Penitencia Creek and Coyote Creek or just want to walk your dog-we all enjoy the benefits of county parks! Measure A does NOT increase taxes. Since 1972, voters have repeatedly approved the Park Charter Fund to provide stable, locally-controlled funding to protect our parks, trails and open space. This essential local funding now needs to be renewed. Your YES vote to renew is critical. Measure A renews the only guaranteed, local source of funding we have for our Santa Clara County parks. Measure A protects and improves the investment we have already made. We need your YES vote. YES on A to Protect Our Parks
Measure A funds will stay here in our community, protecting our parks, trails and open space in Santa Clara County. Vote YES on A-maintain and improve over 50,000 acres of incredible landscapes and open space right here in Santa Clara County.[3] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
W. Dito, a Milpitas resident, signed the official argument against the measure:[4]
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[4]
| “ |
How many residents (and non-residents) use county parks each year? How much money is raised by this parcel tax? How is the money used? The County of Santa Clara government spends a fortune every year on fat salaries and costly benefits for many of its 15,000 full-time employees and on lucrative private-sector contracts. It is time (indeed, long overdue) that the County government explain to voters exactly why it needs so much money - including from this parcel tax. [3] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Santa Clara County, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Santa Clara County parks fund extension Measure A. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Santa Clara County, California, "List of Local Measures," March 30, 2016
- ↑ Palo Alto Online, "Measure A to extend funding for Santa Clara County's parks," May 24, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Santa Clara County Elections Office, "June 7th Primary Measures - Analyses and Arguments," accessed April 21, 2016
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