Town of Fairfax Parcel Tax Combination and Increase, Measure J (November 2014)

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A Town of Fairfax Parcel Tax Combination and Increase, Measure J ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the town of Fairfax in Marin County, California. It was approved.

Upon approval, Measure J authorized the town to impose a parcel tax for five years that consisted of the renewal of the current $50 per parcel general tax, the $125 per parcel special tax, and a $20 per parcel increase, resulting in an annual rate of $195 per parcel. The tax was designed to be applied to each residential unit and business occupancy.

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was required for the approval of Measure J.

Election results

Marin County Measure J
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		2,272	72.26%
No		872	27.74%

Election results via: Marin County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot appeared as:

“

Shall an ordinance combining Fairfax's existing $50 annual general tax with our $125 special tax and a $20 increase be adopted approving a five-year renewal of the special Fairfax municipal services tax of $195 annually for each business occupancy and dwelling unit, in order to: Keep our local Police Station open 24/7; Maintain Fire Department services; Provide funding for Public Works/safety projects; Enhance Youth and Senior programs; and Continue the Citizen's Oversight Committee?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure J:

“	The Town Council voted to place Measure J on the ballot. Measure J, if passed by two-thirds (2/3) of the voters, would amend the Town Code to consolidate two existing municipal service taxes into a single special municipal services tax, increase that single tax by twenty dollars ($20) for a total of one hundred ninety-five dollars ($195) per year on each residential dwelling unit and each business occupancy within the boundaries of the Town of Fairfax, and extend the single tax for a period of five (5) years, expiring on June 30, 2020. Specifically, the tax amount of $195 per residential dwelling unit and business occupancy consists of the existing $125 per year special municipal tax, the $50 per year general municipal tax (which is eliminated with this consolidation), and a $20 per year increase. Measure J requires that the revenue from the special tax be used exclusively for the specific purposes of maintaining 24-hour, seven days per week staffing of the local Police Station, maintaining Fire Department services, providing funding for public works and safety projects, and enhancing youth and senior programs. The tax will be overseen by a citizens' oversight committee to ensure the tax revenue is spent accordingly. The measure also requires the Town Manager annually to file a special tax accountability report with the Town Council. A "YES" vote would be a vote to combine two existing taxes, increase the combined tax $20 per year and extend the existing tax for a period of five years, subject to the conditions and restrictions stated above. A "NO" vote would be a vote to not extend the tax.	”
—Fairfax Town Attorney

Support

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official arguments in favor of Measure J:

• Barbara Coler, Fairfax Councilmember
• John Reed, Fairfax Councilmember
• David Weinsoff, Fairfax Mayor
• Larry Bragman, Fairfax Vice Mayor
• Renee Goddard, Fairfax Councilmember

Arguments in favor

The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of Measure J:

“	Measure J is not a new tax, it simply continues the sound fiscal policy begun when Fairfax overwhelmingly passed Measure F ten years ago and renewed with Measure I five years ago. Measure J also combines Fairfax's longstanding $50 general municipal services tax which has been discontinued as a separate tax. So while the total combined tax is larger than past ballot measures, it actually only includes a modest increase of $20, the first increase these taxes have ever had. Measure J will help Fairfax enhance senior programs and support an improved pedestrian trail maintenance program to provide alternative exit routes in a wildfire. Every dollar raised by Measure J will stay in Fairfax for public safety, public works, youth and senior programs. Fairfax cannot afford to lose these funds + costs to maintain public services have increased. Continuation of these measures is critical to ensure our town's fiscal solvency and independence. Since the passage of both Measure F and I, Fairfax has repaid the voters' trust: Services: Our police station remains open and staffed with professional personnel 24/7 Bike and pedestrian improvements continued Increased telecommunications access to public meetings Savings: An independent citizen's committee annually reviewed expenditures Pension benefits for new hires were trimmed Town employees pay their share into pension plans Less critical employee positions held vacant to increase savings Fairfax runs lean budgets and employs the fewest employees per capita of any small town in Marin. At the same time, it has maintained locally controlled 24/7 public safety services, second to none in cost and effectiveness. Public works projects have repaired local roads, led our recovery from the 2005 flood, and improved our pedestrian and bicycle school safety routes. Fairfax's combination of thrift, innovation and open government deserves to be preserved. PLEASE VOTE YES ON J	”
—Barbara Coler, John Reed, David Weinsoff, Larry Bragman and Renee Goddard

Editorials

• The Marin Independent Journal published an editorial endorsing both this measure - Measure J - and a similar sales tax measure in the city of Sausalito - Measure O. An excerpt of the editorial is below:

“	The tax is needed to pay for maintaining local police services, including keeping the town police station open around the clock. Money from Measure J also helps pay the town's share of the Ross Valley Fire Service's budget and supports local programs for youth and seniors. The IJ editorial board recommends passage of Fairfax's Measure J and Sausalito's Measure O to help those towns meet important local public priorities.	”
—Marin Independent Journal editorial board

Opposition

Opponents

The president of the Citizens for Sustainable Pension Plans signed the official arguments in opposition to Measure J on behalf of the entire group:

Arguments against

The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to Measure J:

“	Citizens for Sustainable Pension Plans recommends that you vote "NO" on Measure J. Our reasoning follows: Measure J requests taxpayer money to provide services that should be funded through the normal operating revenues of the Town. The Town has asked for funding to mask the systematic mismanagement of their operations. Money is fungible. A "YES" vote on Measure J is a vote to allow our elected officials to avoid setting priorities and allocating funds appropriately. The systematic mismanagement of operations is highlighted through excessive pensions and retiree medical plans. Mismanaged pensions and other retirement plans are endemic in the public sector and the Town is no exception. These plans suffer from major problems: The plans are extremely generous. The value of the plans dwarfs the value of corresponding plans provided in the private sector. In addition to their lavish plan costs, the plans are subject to extreme cost fluctuations and risk. The costs of plans are based upon very optimistic assumptions. Unless those assumptions are met (and they have not been this century), there is a funding shortfall (i.e., unfunded liability). This shortfall is recovered through increased contributions from the Town (i.e., the taxpayer). These higher contributions come at a cost. Either the Town reduces services or it requests more money. Measure J is an example of a request for more money from the taxpayer. If taxpayers vote for Measure J, they are enabling the Town to continue its mismanagement by maintaining its rich and financially volatile retirement plans. A better idea is that the Town reform its plans to stabilize its budget and to eliminate the need for taxpayer requests such as Measure J. Vote against this measure!	”
—Jody Morales, founder and president of Citizens for Sustainable Pension Plans'

Related measures

• Town of Fairfax Special Paramedic Services Parcel Tax, Measure K (November 2014)
• Fairfax Paramedic Services special tax, Measure D (November 2010) a

See also

• Parcel tax
• California parcel tax on the ballot
• Parcel tax elections in California
• Marin County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Marin County Registrar of Voters Office website