Stockton, California, Sales Tax for Library and Recreation Services, Measure M (November 2016)
| Measure M: Stockton Sales Tax for Library and Recreation Services |
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 ApprovedMajority required: 66.67 percent |
| Topic: |
| City tax |
| Related articles |
| City tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California San Joaquin County, California ballot measures Local sales tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Stockton, California |
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of enacting an additional 0.25 percent sales tax for 16 years to fund the city's library and recreation services. |
| A no vote was a vote against enacting an additional 0.25 percent sales tax for 16 years to fund the city's library and recreation services. |
A two-thirds (66.67 percent) supermajority vote was required for the approval of this measure.
Contents
Election results
| Measure M | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 59,026 | 76% | ||
| No | 18,636 | 24% | ||
- Election results from San Joaquin Registrar of Voters
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
Shall the Ordinance 2016-06-07-1212 to enhance Stockton’s library and recreation services, including safe after-school and summer programs for children and teens, homework centers, children’s story times, increased public computer access/wireless connectivity, and enhanced evening and weekend hours at libraries and recreation centers, funded by a 1/4-cent transaction and use (sales) tax, generating $9 million annually for 16 years, with all funds staying local and expenditures subject to an annual audit be adopted? [2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Stockton City Attorney:
| “ |
The City Council of the City of Stockton is submitting to the voters the question of whether to approve an ordinance that would increase by one-quarter percent (0.25%) - or one quarter-cent to the price of an item that costs a dollar - transactions and use tax within the City. If approved, the measure would impose this increased tax. The tax would be levied on the sale or use of tangible personal property sold at retail. Retailers collect the tax at the time of sale and remit the funds to the State Board of Equalization, which administers the tax. Since the measure limits the uses to which the tax revenue raised by this measure can be used, it is a “special tax”. The tax proceeds cannot legally be taken away by the State. Currently, the tax on retail sales in Stockton is 9% of the purchase price. This measure would increase the current tax rate to 9.25% and sunset sixteen (16) years after the tax is first collected. If approved, the tax proceeds would be placed in a special City fund to be used to support enhancements to library and recreational services, such as after-school and summer programs for children and teens, homework centers, children’s story times, increased public computer access/wireless connectivity, and enhanced evening and weekend hours at libraries and recreation centers. The City would also be required to maintain general fund expenditures for library and recreational services at the level stated in the 2014/2015 city budget. However the City may reduce that general fund commitment proportionally in times of economic downturn. The City may also reduce golf-related general fund spending at any time. A “Yes” vote is a vote to approve the imposition of the one-quarter cent sales tax for sixteen years, with oversight on the revenue and expenditure of funds from the tax by a committee of members of the public and an annual audit. A “No” vote is a vote to not impose the tax. The measure would be approved and the tax imposed if two-thirds (2/3) of the qualified electors voting on the measure vote “Yes”. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure M. If you desire a copy of the proposed ordinance, please call the City Clerk's office at (209) 937-8459 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you. [2] |
” |
| —Stockton City Attorney[3] | ||
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:[3]
- Geraldine Hollis, Retired Teacher & 19 year Stockton Taxpayer, Friends of the Stockton Public Library,
- David Scheffer, President, League of Women Voters of San Joaquin County,
- Dr. Katherine N. Schick, Immediate Past President
- Judith Buethe, Stockton Small Businessperson of the Year
- Hector Lara, Social Worker and Stockton Resident
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[3]
| “ |
Vote Yes on M - Strong Libraries, Strong Communities! Yes on M provides safe places for after-school programs for kids and teens that keep them safe, on the right track, off the streets, and out of trouble. Right now, libraries and community recreation centers close early and are even closed on weekends. Yes on M will restore and enhance lost library and recreation hours and critical services our community needs. Yes on M will support children story times that promote literacy, summer reading programs, homework centers, and recreation programs for youth and teens – we need to keep our kids safe and out of trouble. Yes on M protects after-school programs for children and teens, provides science, technology, engineering and math programs critical to our children’s future success, supports literacy programs, children’s story times, and cultural programs and classes, such as arts and crafts, music and dance. Neighborhood public libraries and recreation centers are one of the few community places left that benefit children, families, seniors and the disabled. With the community facing severely limited library and recreation hours, programs and technology, families across Stockton are left without access to opportunities. Yes on M provides fiscally responsible, local funding that must be spent to enhance vital educational and recreational services that will not only help keep kids safe, but help prepare them, and Stockton, for future success. Yes on M includes strict fiscal accountability provisions. Yes on M includes Independent Citizens Oversight to ensure proper spending of funds. No money can be spent on administrator salaries. Yes on M ensures every penny is spent locally on library and recreation programs that benefit Stockton families. Join a unanimous City Council, local teachers, community leaders, and Friends of Stockton Library in voting Yes on M. Visit www.YesOnM.info for more information. [2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[3]
- David Renison
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[3]
| “ |
Do you have the appetite for another sales tax after approving Measure A, a three-quarter-cent hike to 9 percent in 2013? City Hall promised to use Measure A revenues to “restore city services” that were cut during bankruptcy; services which already include library, recreation and youth programs. As one who sits on the citizen’s commission that oversees Measure A, I know that we are still in the early stages of restoring city services and difficult choices remain regarding affordability and funding priorities. But to avoid another financial meltdown, we must adhere to our post-bankruptcy budget plan. To approve a new tax now is to consent to the same fiscal irresponsibility that caused Stockton’s nosedive into bankruptcy. No new taxes should be approved until we are satisfied City Hall can responsibly manage the existing ones. Vote NO on Measure M [2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Stockton, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Stockton City tax. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters, "Local Measures to be voted for in the November 8, 2016 Election," accessed November 1, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributed to the original source.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters, "Sample Ballot," accessed November 1, 2016
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