Union City, California, Measure U, Parcel Tax (March 2020)

Union City Measure U
Election date March 3, 2020
Topic California parcel tax
Status d Defeated
Type Referral	Origin Lawmakers
List of California measuresCalifornia Proposition 13 (March)California Proposition 14California Proposition 15California Proposition 16California Proposition 17California Proposition 18California Proposition 19California Proposition 20California Proposition 21California Proposition 22California Proposition 23California Proposition 24California Proposition 25Submit

A Parcel Tax was on the ballot for Union City voters in Alameda County, California, on March 3, 2020. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported extending an expiring public safety special tax for eight years at a rate of $168 per parcel for the most residential parcels and varying rates for other parcels.

A "no" vote opposed extending an expiring public safety special tax for eight years at a rate of $168 per parcel for the most residential parcels and varying rates for other parcels.

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

Election results

Union City Measure U
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		9,062	62.51%
No		5,434	37.49%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot question

The ballot question was as follows:

“

To maintain 9-1-1 emergency response times, paramedic services, fire prevention/protection, disaster preparedness, neighborhood police patrols, youth violence/gang prevention and safety at public schools shall Union City's measure extending expiring public safety funding be adopted at $168 per parcel for the most common residential parcel (rates for other property types as described in the ballot pamphlet), providing approximately $5,000,000 annually for eight years, with annual inflation adjustments, independent citizen oversight and all funds staying local?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Kristopher J. Kokotaylo, city attorney:

“ The City Council of City of Union City is submitting to the voters the question of whether to approve an ordinance that would temporarily extend an existing special tax for "public-safety services" within the City. If approved, Measure U would continue an existing tax approved by voters in 2004 and extended by voters in 2009 and 2016 that would otherwise expire in 2021. The City operates a police department and contracts with the Alameda County Fire District to provide public safety services for the City. Both departments employ a significant number of full-time employees. The City also operates other departments that provide youth violence prevention and intervention services that contribute to the maintenance of community public safety. Proceeds from the Measure will be used to purchase, operate and maintain equipment for public-safety services, pay salaries of police and fire personnel, and provide funding for youth violence prevention and intervention services and other related expenses. The Measure will automatically expire after eight years unless extended by voters. Measure U will be imposed on occupants of residential and non-residential property within the City. If Measure U is approved, in fiscal year 2021-22, the most common rate for single-family parcels is for parcels between 5,000 - 9,999 square feet and is $168 annually and the most common rate for non-residential parcels is for parcels between 100,000 - 249,999 square feet and is $5,719.97 annually with varying rates for other property types and sizes. The amount of the tax will be based on the use of the property and parcel size and will be adjusted annually by the Consumer Price Index or three percent (3%), whichever is greater. As with the previously approved public-safety services taxes, the Measure will not be imposed on unimproved parcels, a partial refund will be available for unoccupied improved non-residential parcels, and a low income exemption from the tax will apply. If approved, one hundred percent (100%) of the proceeds of this local tax would be placed into a special account and designated for public safety services within the City. A "Yes" vote is a vote to approve the extension and modification of the voter-approved public-safety services excise tax for eight years generating approximately $5 million annually to the police, fire and youth violence and prevention budgets. A "No" vote is a vote to not extend the existing tax as modified and the existing tax would no longer be collected after it expires. If Measure U does not receive at least two-thirds (2/3) approval of those voting, the Measure will fail and the 2016-approved public-safety tax will expire in June, 2021, resulting in the loss of approximately $4.3 million annually to the police, fire and youth violence prevention budgets. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure U. If you desire a copy of the proposed ordinance, please call the City Clerk's office at 510-675-5448 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you. ”

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the Union City Council.

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2020
• Parcel tax on the ballot
• Local tax on the ballot
• Alameda County measures

California

• March 3, 2020 measures in California
• Local ballot measures, California
• Union City, California

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic
• Union City Election Information website