Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey
Whittier, California, Library Bond Issue, Measure L (November 2017)
| Measure L: Whittier Library Bond Issue |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 7, 2017 |
| Status: |
 DefeatedMajority required: 66.67% |
| Topic: |
| City bonds |
| Related articles |
| City bonds on the ballot November 7, 2017 ballot measures in California Los Angeles County, California ballot measures |
| See also |
| Whittier, California |
A library bond issue was on the ballot for Whittier voters in Los Angeles County, California, on November 7, 2017. It was defeated.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing the city to issue $22 million in general obligation bonds—a type of public debt—for expanding and improving Whittier Central Library. |
| A no vote was a vote against authorizing the city to issue $22 million in general obligation bonds—a type of public debt—for expanding and improving Whittier Central Library. |
Measure L proposed that the $22 million in bonds be repaid over 15 years by an ad valorem tax on the assessed value of real property within Whittier. City officials estimated the cost to property owners at $24 per $100,000 of assessed value. City officials estimated the annual cost to the owner of a home with the average assessed value of $335,630 at $81.[1]
A two-thirds (66.67%) vote was required for the approval of Measure L.
Election results
| Measure L | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 2,160 | 33.55% | ||
| Yes | 4,278 | 66.45% | ||
- Election results from Los Angeles County Office of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Text of measure
Ballot question
The ballot question was as follows:[1]
| “ |
To expand 58-year-old Whittier Central Library to meet 21st century needs, including: providing a children’s area for story times, parent/child reading, and children’s book collections/technology; improving senior/disabled access; expanding/updating computer/technology center; space for up-to-date book/resource collections; relocating the Veterans Resource Center for better service; and related improvements; shall the City of Whittier issue $22,000,000 in bonds at legal rates, requiring independent citizen oversight, and all funds for Whittier Central Library only?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Whittier City Attorney:
| “ |
Approval of Measure L by Whittier voters would authorize the City of Whittier (“City”) to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $22,000,000 to pay for the following improvements to the Whittier Central Library (“Central Library”): an expanded children’s area for story time, parent and child reading, and children’s books; improved senior and disabled access; an expanded computer and technology center; a homework center with 30 computers; relocated Veterans Resource Center; expanded community and meeting rooms; installation of energy efficient lighting; and additional parking to accommodate library users. The Central Library located at 7344 Washington Avenue, Whittier, CA was originally constructed in 1959. Over the past 58 years, the Central Library’s collection has grown from 80,000 items to 230,000 items. Additionally, the Central Library currently circulates 450,000 items, receives 750,000 “hits” on its website and accommodates 600,000 visitors each year. On August 8th, 2017, the Whittier City Council adopted an ordinance that would place on the November 2017 ballot the question to Whittier voters whether to authorize the City to issue bonds to pay for the Central Library improvements. If approved, Measure L limits the principal amount of the bonds to no more than $22,000,000 and sets a maximum interest rate, with the actual amount determined at the time the bonds are issued. The bonds would be repaid over 15 years by an ad valorem tax on the assessed value of real property within the City. The best estimate, based upon currently available data and projections, is that the average cost to each property owner to repay the bonds over 15 years is approximately $24 per $100,000 of assessed valuation (not market value). The average assessed valuation for single-family residences in the City is $335,630. For single-family residences assessed at the average value, the annual cost per single-family residence would be approximately $81 per year over 15 years. Proceeds of the bonds may only be used on the expansion and renovation of the Central Library. Proceeds of the bonds will be deposited into a Library Improvement Fund to be held by the City and the City Manager is required to file an annual report to the City Council which contains information regarding the amount of funds collected and expended, as well as the status of the project. Measure L also requires the creation of a citizens’ oversight committee which is required to report to the City Council. In order to pass, Measure L must be approved by two-thirds (66 2/3%) of Whittier voters who cast ballots at the November 2017 election. A “yes” vote would be in favor of authorizing the City to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $22,000,000 for the purpose of expansion and renovation of the Central Library. A “no” vote would not allow the City to issue bonds for the Central Library expansion and renovation.[2] |
” |
| —Whittier City Attorney[3] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the city council of Whittier, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Whittier City bonds Measure L. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, "Local and Municipal Consolidated Elections November 7, 2017," accessed September 22, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Los Angeles County Elections, "Sample Ballot/Polling Place Look Up," accessed September 23, 2017
 |
State of California Sacramento (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
