Not since Abe Lincoln went nose-to-nose with Stephen Douglas has there been a political debate as dramatic and momentous as Tuesday’s matchup between Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider and Councilman Frank Hotchklss over the largest tax increase in city history.
Oh sure, the iconic Great Debates of 1858 featured seven, three-hour proceedings, transfixed the nation and focused on the issue of slavery - while Helene and Frank together spoke for 54 minutes and 11 seconds to 15 members of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association about, um, Measure C.
Okay, so maybe I hyped the lede a little.
But with good reason: the event organized by Joe Armendariz, the conservative organization’s indefatigable executive director, was the first and, who knows, maybe final chance for local voters to hear a well-argued discussion of what is likely the most consequential item on the Nov, 7 ballot.
“I call it the Tax From Here to Eternity,” said Hotchkiss, one of two mayoral candidates who oppose it.
Wading into the Weeds I. Measure C would increase Santa Barbara’s current $7.75 per $100 local sales tax rate to $8.75 indefinitely, beginning next year.
On a 5-2 vote in June, the city council put the tax increase on the ballot; council members Cathy Murillo and Bendy White, both running for mayor, along with Gregg Hart, now seeking re-election in District 5, joined Jason Dominguez and Schneider in the majority while Randy Rowse (who later had an apparent change of heart) voted with Hotchkiss, against it..
This is the 80-word description of the measure voters will see on their ballots:
To maintain essential services and repair critical infrastructure including:
Police, fire, and 911 emergency medical response;
Local streets, potholes, bridges and storm drains;
Neighborhood fire stations/public safety infrastructure;
Parks, youth/senior services; address homelessness;
Help retain local businesses; support other general services;
Shall the City of Santa Barbara enact a one-cent sales tax providing approximately 22 million dollars annually unless ended by voters; requiring audits, citizens oversight, public disclosure of spending, and all funds used locally?
(Your government in action: as a technical matter, the council actually had to approve two separate pieces of legislation – a 3,712-word ordinance and an 856-word resolution - to put this on the ballot. In the interest of curing insomnia throughout our community, both are appended below).
California’s statewide sales tax rate is 7.5 percent, with 6.25 percent going to Sacramento and 1.25 percent going to county government; local voters, however, have the power to raise the rate further in their own communities.
If voters pass Measure C, Santa Barbara’s new rate would rank above the basic rate, but remain below other roughly comparable coastal cities, including Santa Monica (10.25), Redondo Beach ( 9.25) and Santa Cruz (9.0)
Wading into the Weeds II. Measure C is forecast to generate about $22 million a year (Hotchkiss said his research shows this would make it, in dollars, the largest tax increase in Santa Barbara history).
Today, there is little dispute at City Hall about what the money should be used for: overdue repairs and maintenance on city streets, as well as construction of a new police station and other necessary public works needs.
However, those who have followed along in their hymnals to this point will note that along with better infrastructure, the ballot measure also promises “other general services,” including parks, business retention, homelessness, “youth/senior” and other unspecified programs.
Therein lies the crux of the argument.
Under California law, passage of Measure C would have required a two-thirds vote approval if the council earmarked it specifically for infrastructure repairs; because of that “general services” business, it only requires a majority vote.
“Our infrastructure and deferred maintenance is a big, big issue,” said Helene.
“What is it going to be used for, that is the key question,” said Frank.
How the deal went down. Hotchkiss strode into the Alumni Room at the University Club clad in summer sports coat, rep tie and khakis, while Mayor Helene channeled her inner Phyllis Schafly, in a bright red dress and an American flag silk scarf (“I’m coming into the lion’s den,” she explained).
At the start, the two fell all over each other talking about much they liked, admired and respected her and his colleague. It was enough to make a hog puke.
They also agreed on the need for street repairs and a new cop shop. When they finally got around to debating, these were the key differences.
Not-so-super majority
Schneider said there is consensus at City Hall that the new money should go overwhelmingly for infrastructure and promised that, if C passes, she would work in her lame duck months to ensure it does: “The council can put this into policy,” she said..
Hotchkiss said the council should have gone for “the bigger enchilada” super-majority threshold, to have “it completely locked in” so the new cash would be guaranteed for public works. The lower vote requirement allows future councils to redirect the money at will -- “I wish I was confident as Helene” that wouldn’t happen, he said.
Who pays?
Schneider emphasized that because of Santa Barbara’s tourist economy, Measure C is a “fair share” tax increase, under which visitors would pay an estimated 40 percent of the total amount to be collected.
Hotchkiss noted that the sales tax is “regressive” and predicted that those with lower incomes would feel it, especially once the new statewide gas tax begins to be imposed in coming years.
Red Ink in the Sunset
Hotchkiss said that government “works like an adolescent” and that repealing the tax in the future would prove impossible, or at least comparable to taking away an allowance from “your 18-year old daughter.”
Schneider said the city has a good track record of not rechanneling tax increases approved by voters, dating back to the Utility Users Tax, passed thirty years ago.
There were no injuries.
Political junkie alert. Eyeballs rolled wildly when Armendariz, scourge of the social democratic nanny state, announced at the start that the taxpayers association would decide their position on Measure C only after hearing from Helene and Frank.
“All of it depends on who is the more persuasive,” he said, with a flawed imitation of a straight face.
Yes-on-C campaign manager Mary Rose, lunching on Cobb salad and iced tea, informed her seatmate that Joe, along with Hotchkiss, signed the No-on-C ballot argument that will appear in the voter handbook, now being printed, weeks ago.
Armendariz lives in Orcutt and so is, uh, not supposed to sign such arguments; ever politically nimble, he instead employed his organizational designation for the job, identifying himself as Executive Director of the tax group.
This just in: Vegas refuses to post odds on SFCTA endorsing Measure C.
*The Fab Five. Among the mayoral candidates, Hal Conklin, Cathy Murillo and Bendy White support Measure A, while Hotchkiss opposes it. As for Angel Martinez, the fifth candidate, it's complicated.
In an August 31 interview with Newsmakers TV, Angel dithered about how he would have structured the revenue stream differently. Pressed for a straight answer, he said this:
Q: So you're against it?
A: I'm against the current state of it, I am.
Given that the "current state" of Measure C is, you know, Measure C, his comment led Newsmakers to mark him down as a "no," until we heard, pretty reliably, that Martinez more recently told the Chamber of Commerce, which endorsed both him and Measure C, that he supports it.
Updating this graf: We emailed Martinez last night seeking clarification. He said, "I'm against the fact that it is going into the general fund, allowing the possibility that it will be used for things other than infrastructure and a new police headquarters."
A few minutes later, he emailed again to say, "That said, we desperately need investment in our infrastructure. It should have been a bond measure. And may end up as that before all is said and done."
Sounds like a big no.
JR
Images: Abraham Lincoln & Stephen A. Douglas; political reporter in the weeds; dog in the weeds; Helene Schneider; Frank Hotchkiss; Joe Armendariz; Angel Martinez; unidentified voter wondering whether to get up and read appendices I&II.
Email us at newsmakerswithjr@gmail.com or comment on our stories on our Facebook page - SB City Desk. Thanks for reading.
Appendix I
Here is the text of the ordinance passed by the City Council that underpins Measure C.
ORDINANCE NO. ____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA BARBARA IMPOSING A ONE PERCENT
TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX TO BE ADMINISTERED BY
THE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, SUBJECT TO
ADOPTION BY THE ELECTORATE BY APPROVING THE
SANTA BARBARA CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND
ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES MEASURE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA DOES ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Findings and Purpose. The City Council finds and declares as
follows:
A. The City of Santa Barbara provides vital municipal services and facilities,
such as:
1. Police, fire, and 911 emergency medical response;
2. Repairing local streets, potholes, bridges and storm drains;
3. Maintaining neighborhood fire stations and upgrading public safety
infrastructure;
4. Protecting parks, youth and senior services;
5. Addressing homelessness;
6. Helping retain local businesses; and
7. Supporting other general services that are necessary to protect the public
health, safety and general welfare.
B. The City of Santa Barbara’s existing revenues are insufficient to fully provide
such municipal services and facilities at the level that residents need and want.
C. Over the past five years, the state has taken away over $100 million in local
City funding. This measure provides local funding for local needs, and includes strict
accountability requirements including independent oversight by a citizen’s committee that
must meet in public, full disclosure of public spending available on the City’s website and
at other public locations in the City; annual financial audits; and a requirement that all
funds raised be spent locally and cannot be taken by Sacramento or Washington.
D. Even before last winter’s damaging rainstorms, 64% of the streets in Santa
Barbara were rated as “at risk, poor or failed” by pavement engineers.
E. The City of Santa Barbara is 167 years old and has aging infrastructure
which needs to be repaired and upgraded. This measure invests in our community by
helping improve the condition of our streets and sidewalks, earthquake retrofit local
2
EXHIBIT A
bridges, as well as repair and upgrade deteriorating storm drains and the seismically
unsafe police station. It will cost taxpayers less to address these infrastructure needs now,
rather than letting them worsen and costing all of us more in the long-run.
F. There are nearly 800 homeless people living on the streets, in cars or in
temporary shelters in Santa Barbara on any given night, including nearly 150 veterans
and families with young children. This measure will help the City continue to provide
resources to community partners to address homelessness including mental health,
substance abuse treatment services and job training, to respectfully help individuals,
veterans and families with young children transition away from or stay off the street, as
well as to ensure our business districts, parks and other public areas are safe and secure
for everyone.
G. Well maintained streets, quality neighborhood parks, and safe and clean
streets, schools and neighborhoods are an investment in public safety that strengthens
local property values and make our community a more desirable place to live, do business
and raise a family.
H. About 40% of Santa Barbara’s sales tax dollars are paid by tourists and
visitors from surrounding areas. This measure will help make sure that tourists and visitors
are paying their fair share to maintain our community and not place these costs
exclusively upon city residents. Prescription medications and groceries will not be taxed
by this measure.
I. The funding made available by this measure will enable the City to restore
and improve its general municipal services and facilities. Nothing in this measure allows
tax revenues to be directed into a special fund or for a special purpose.
SECTION 2. Chapter 4.14 [Transactions and Use Tax] of Title 4 [Revenue,
Finance and Purchasing] of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code is added to read as
follows:
4.14.010 Short Title. This ordinance shall be known as the Santa Barbara Critical
Infrastructure and Essential Community Services Measure. The City of Santa Barbara
hereinafter shall be called "City." This ordinance shall be applicable in the incorporated
territory of the City.
4.14.020 Operative Date. "Operative Date" means the first day of the first calendar
quarter commencing more than 110 days after November 7, 2017.
4.14.030 Purposes. This ordinance is adopted to achieve the following, among
other purposes, and directs that the provisions hereof be interpreted in order to
accomplish those purposes:
A. To impose a retail transactions and use tax in accordance with the
provisions of Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and
3
EXHIBIT A
Taxation Code and Section 7285.9 of Part 1.7 of Division 2 which authorizes the City to
adopt this tax ordinance which shall be operative if a majority of the electors voting on the
measure vote to approve the imposition of the tax at an election called for that purpose.
B. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that incorporates
provisions identical to those of the Sales and Use Tax Law of the State of California
insofar as those provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements and limitations
contained in Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
C. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that imposes a tax and
provides a measure therefore that can be administered and collected by the State Board
of Equalization in a manner that adapts itself as fully as practicable to, and requires the
least possible deviation from, the existing statutory and administrative procedures
followed by the State Board of Equalization in administering and collecting the California
State Sales and Use Taxes.
D. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that can be
administered in a manner that will be, to the greatest degree possible, consistent with the
provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, minimize the cost
of collecting the transactions and use taxes, and at the same time, minimize the burden of
record keeping upon persons subject to taxation under the provisions of this ordinance.
4.14.040 Contract with State. Prior to the operative date, the City shall contract
with the State Board of Equalization to perform all functions incident to the administration
and operation of this transactions and use tax ordinance; provided, that if the City shall not
have contracted with the State Board of Equalization prior to the operative date, it shall
nevertheless so contract and in such a case the operative date shall be the first day of the
first calendar quarter following the execution of such a contract.
4.14.050 Transactions Tax Rate. For the privilege of selling tangible personal
property at retail, a tax is hereby imposed upon all retailers in the incorporated territory of
the City at the rate of 1.00% of the gross receipts of any retailer from the sale of all
tangible personal property sold at retail in said territory on and after the operative date of
this ordinance.
4.14.060 Place of Sale. For the purposes of this ordinance, all retail sales are
consummated at the place of business of the retailer unless the tangible personal property
sold is delivered by the retailer or his agent to an out-of-state destination or to a common
carrier for delivery to an out-of-state destination. The gross receipts from such sales shall
include delivery charges, when such charges are subject to the state sales and use tax,
regardless of the place to which delivery is made. In the event a retailer has no
permanent place of business in the State or has more than one place of business, the
place or places at which the retail sales are consummated shall be determined under
rules and regulations to be prescribed and adopted by the State Board of Equalization.
4
EXHIBIT A
4.14.070 Use Tax Rate. An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use or
other consumption in the City of tangible personal property purchased from any retailer on
and after the operative date of this ordinance for storage, use or other consumption in said
territory at the rate of 1.00% of the sales price of the property. The sales price shall
include delivery charges when such charges are subject to state sales or use tax
regardless of the place to which delivery is made.
4.14.080 Adoption of Provisions of State Law. Except as otherwise provided in this
ordinance and except insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of
Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, all of the provisions of Part 1 (commencing
with Section 6001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code are hereby adopted
and made a part of this ordinance as though fully set forth herein.
4.14.090 Limitations on Adoption of State Law and Collection of Use Taxes. In
adopting the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code:
A. Wherever the State of California is named or referred to as the taxing
agency, the name of this City shall be substituted therefor. However, the substitution shall
not be made when:
1. The word "State" is used as a part of the title of the State Controller,
State Treasurer, State Board of Control, State Board of Equalization, State Treasury, or
the Constitution of the State of California;
2. The result of that substitution would require action to be taken by or
against this City or any agency, officer, or employee thereof rather than by or against the
State Board of Equalization, in performing the functions incident to the administration or
operation of this ordinance.
3. In those sections, including, but not necessarily limited to sections
referring to the exterior boundaries of the State of California, where the result of the
substitution would be to:
a. Provide an exemption from this tax with respect to certain sales, storage,
use or other consumption of tangible personal property which would not otherwise be
exempt from this tax while such sales, storage, use or other consumption remain subject
to tax by the State under the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and
Taxation Code, or;
b. Impose this tax with respect to certain sales, storage, use or other
consumption of tangible personal property which would not be subject to tax by the state
under the said provision of that code.
4. In Sections 6701, 6702 (except in the last sentence thereof), 6711,
6715, 6737, 6797 or 6828 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
5
EXHIBIT A
B. The word "City" shall be substituted for the word "State" in the phrase
"retailer engaged in business in this State" in Section 6203 and in the definition of that
phrase in Section 6203.
4.14.100 Permit Not Required. If a seller's permit has been issued to a retailer
under Section 6067 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, an additional transactor's permit
shall not be required by this ordinance.
4.14.110 Exemptions and Exclusions.
A. There shall be excluded from the measure of the transactions tax and
the use tax the amount of any sales tax or use tax imposed by the State of California or by
any city, city and county, or county pursuant to the Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales
and Use Tax Law or the amount of any state-administered transactions or use tax.
B. There are exempted from the computation of the amount of
transactions tax the gross receipts from:
1. Sales of tangible personal property, other than fuel or
petroleum products, to operators of aircraft to be used or consumed principally outside the
county in which the sale is made and directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as
common carriers of persons or property under the authority of the laws of this State, the
United States, or any foreign government.
2. Sales of property to be used outside the City which is shipped
to a point outside the City, pursuant to the contract of sale, by delivery to such point by the
retailer or his agent, or by delivery by the retailer to a carrier for shipment to a consignee
at such point. For the purposes of this paragraph, delivery to a point outside the City shall
be satisfied:
a. With respect to vehicles (other than commercial
vehicles) subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4000) of
Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with Section 21411 of the
Public Utilities Code, and undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5
(commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code by registration to an out-of-City
address and by a declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer, stating that
such address is, in fact, his or her principal place of residence; and
b. With respect to commercial vehicles, by registration to a
place of business out-of-City and declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the
buyer, that the vehicle will be operated from that address.
3. The sale of tangible personal property if the seller is obligated
to furnish the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the
operative date of this ordinance.
6
EXHIBIT A
4. A lease of tangible personal property which is a continuing sale
of such property, for any period of time for which the lessor is obligated to lease the
property for an amount fixed by the lease prior to the operative date of this ordinance.
5. For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this section,
the sale or lease of tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated
pursuant to a contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or
lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether
or not such right is exercised.
C. There are exempted from the use tax imposed by this ordinance, the
storage, use or other consumption in this City of tangible personal property:
1. The gross receipts from the sale of which have been subject to
a transactions tax under any state-administered transactions and use tax ordinance.
2. Other than fuel or petroleum products purchased by operators
of aircraft and used or consumed by such operators directly and exclusively in the use of
such aircraft as common carriers of persons or property for hire or compensation under a
certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to the laws of this State,
the United States, or any foreign government. This exemption is in addition to the
exemptions provided in Sections 6366 and 6366.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of
the State of California.
3. If the purchaser is obligated to purchase the property for a
fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the operative date of this ordinance.
4. If the possession of, or the exercise of any right or power over,
the tangible personal property arises under a lease which is a continuing purchase of such
property for any period of time for which the lessee is obligated to lease the property for
an amount fixed by a lease prior to the operative date of this ordinance.
5. For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this section,
storage, use, or other consumption, or possession of, or exercise of any right or power
over, tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a
contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or lease has the
unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether or not such
right is exercised.
6. Except as provided in subparagraph (7), a retailer engaged in
business in the City shall not be required to collect use tax from the purchaser of tangible
personal property, unless the retailer ships or delivers the property into the City or
participates within the City in making the sale of the property, including, but not limited to,
soliciting or receiving the order, either directly or indirectly, at a place of business of the
retailer in the City or through any representative, agent, canvasser, solicitor, subsidiary, or
person in the City under the authority of the retailer.
7
EXHIBIT A
7. "A retailer engaged in business in the City" shall also include
any retailer of any of the following: vehicles subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1
(commencing with Section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in
compliance with Section 21411 of the Public Utilities Code, or undocumented vessels
registered under Division 3.5 (commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code. That
retailer shall be required to collect use tax from any purchaser who registers or licenses
the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft at an address in the City.
D. Any person subject to use tax under this ordinance may credit against
that tax any transactions tax or reimbursement for transactions tax paid to a district
imposing, or retailer liable for a transactions tax pursuant to Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the
Revenue and Taxation Code with respect to the sale to the person of the property the
storage, use or other consumption of which is subject to the use tax.
4.14.120 Amendments to State Law. All amendments subsequent to the effective
date of this ordinance to Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code relating to
sales and use taxes and which are not inconsistent with Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2
of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and all amendments to Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of
Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, shall automatically become a part of this
ordinance, provided however, that no such amendment shall operate so as to affect the
rate of tax imposed by this ordinance.
4.14.130 Enjoining Collection Forbidden. No injunction or writ of mandate or other
legal or equitable process shall issue in any suit, action or proceeding in any court against
the State or the City, or against any officer of the State or the City, to prevent or enjoin the
collection under this ordinance, or Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation
Code, of any tax or any amount of tax required to be collected.
4.14.140 Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to
any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance and the
application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected
thereby.
4.14.150 Effective Date and Submission to Voters. This ordinance relates to the
levying and collecting of City transactions and use taxes and shall take effect immediately.
However, no tax imposed by this ordinance shall be effective unless that tax has been
approved by the voters of the City as required by Section 2(b) of Article XIIIC of the
California Constitution and applicable law.
4.14.160 Annual Accountability Performance Report. The City Council shall cause
preparation of an annual accountability performance report for the benefit of Santa
Barbara citizens and in order to assure accountability in the expenditure of tax revenues.
The annual accountability performance report shall be posted on the City’s website and
shall include the following information:
8
EXHIBIT A
A. The amount of revenue collected pursuant to the transactions and use tax
imposed by this ordinance;
B. The amount and general purposes of the expenditures made possible by this
ordinance including, where feasible, a categorization of the nature and purpose
of the expenditures. These categories may include, among other things:
1. A listing of general fund service expenditures (such as police, fire, parks and
recreation, libraries, youth and senior programs and other general fund
services).
2. A listing of capital facility expenditures (such as streets, bridges, emergency
police and fire facilities and other general fund capital facility expenditures).
3. Such other categories as the City Council may from time to time deem
necessary or desirable.
4.14.170 Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The City Council shall establish a
citizens’ oversight committee which shall have the duty and responsibility to review the
annual accountability performance report and report its findings to the City Council and to
Santa Barbara citizens. All meetings of the citizens’ oversight committee shall be open to
the public.
4.14.180 Audit and Review. The proceeds of the tax imposed pursuant to this
ordinance, as well as the expenditure thereof, shall be audited annually by an
independent accounting firm. The audit results may be combined with the audit of other
City funds, so long as the proceeds are reported separately. The City Council shall
discuss the results of such audit at a meeting of the City Council that is open to the public.
The report of such audit shall be posted on the City’s website.
4.14.190 Termination and Repeal. The authority to levy the taxes imposed by this
ordinance shall be in effect until and unless this ordinance is repealed.
4.14.200 Declaration. The proceeds of the taxes imposed by this ordinance may
be used for any lawful purpose of the City, as authorized by ordinance, resolution or
action of the City Council or by Ordinance adopted by the electorate of the City. These
taxes do not meet the criteria established by Section 1(d) of Article XIIIC of the California
Constitution for special taxes, and are general taxes imposed for general government
purposes.
4.14.210 Additional Findings. The City Council finds as follows:
A. The City provides vital municipal services and facilities, such as police, fire,
parks and recreation, streets, bridges, libraries, youth and senior programs and
other general fund services.
9
EXHIBIT A
B. The City’s existing revenues are insufficient to fully provide municipal services
and facilities at the level that is necessary or desirable.
C. The funding made available by this Ordinance will enable to City to restore and
improve its general municipal services and facilities.
SECTION 3. CEQA. This ordinance is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) of the CEQA
Guidelines (Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations) because the activity
will not result in a direct or reasonablY foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment, and Section 15060(c)(3) because the activity is not a project as defined in
Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines because it has no potential for resulting in
physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
APPENDIX II
Here is the text of the resolution by which the City Council moved the measure to the ballot.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
BARBARA APPROVING AND CALLING FOR THE
SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSITION MEASURE AT THE
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY
ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2017 FOR THE ENACTMENT
OF A CITY ORDINANCE IMPOSING A TRANSACTIONS AND
USE TAX TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE BOARD OF
EQUALIZATION
WHEREAS, Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.9 authorizes the City Council to
levy a transactions and use tax for general purposes, if the ordinance proposing the tax
is approved by a two-thirds vote of all members of the City Council and the tax is
approved by a majority vote of the qualified voters of the city voting in an election on the
issue; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to approve the attached transactions and use tax
ordinance and submit it to the voters in the form of the Santa Barbara Critical
Infrastructure and Essential Community Services Measure which imposes a one
percent transactions and use tax to be administered by the State Board of Equalization,
subject to adoption by the electorate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA BARBARA DOES DECLARE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the City Council, pursuant to the authority of Revenue and Taxation
Code section 7285.9 and Elections Code section 9222, does order submitted to the
voters at the General Municipal Election the following ballot question:
YES
MEASURE 2017
To maintain essential services and repair critical infrastructure including:
• Police, fire, and 911 emergency medical response;
• local streets, potholes, bridges and storm drains;
• neighborhood fire stations/public safety infrastructure;
• parks, youth/senior services;
• address homelessness;
• help retain local businesses;
• support other general services;
shall the City of Santa Barbara enact a one-cent sales tax providing
approximately 22 million dollars annually unless ended by voters; requiring
audits, citizens oversight, public disclosure of spending, and all funds used
locally?
NO
2
SECTION 2. The City Council approves and adopts the complete text of the proposed
Santa Barbara Critical Infrastructure and Essential Community Services Measure
Ordinance which is to be submitted to the voters and which is attached as Exhibit A.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby directs the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the
Santa Barbara Critical Infrastructure and Essential Community Services Measure to the
City Attorney. The City Attorney shall prepare an impartial analysis of the Ordinance,
not to exceed 500 words in length, showing the effect of the Ordinance on existing law
and the operation of the Ordinance, and transmit the impartial analysis to the City Clerk
within ten days of adoption of this Resolution.
SECTION 4. That the City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to procure and
furnish any and all official ballots, notices, printed matter, and all supplies, equipment,
and paraphernalia that may be necessary in order to properly and lawfully conduct the
election.
SECTION 5. That pursuant to section 1306 of the Santa Barbara City Charter and
Elections Code section 4108, the election shall be conducted as a vote-by-mail ballot,
and shall be conducted pursuant to the applicable requirements of Chapter 2 of Division
4 (commencing with section 4100) of the California Elections Code only insofar as
required by law. Ballots cast in this election shall be returned to the office of the City
Clerk in the timeframe specified in Elections Code section 4103 (as amended by Stats.
2014, c. 618 [S.B. 29]).
SECTION 6. That the drop-off center located at City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street,
for the
election shall be open at 8:00 o’clock a.m. on the Saturday preceding Election Day
(November 4, 2017), and shall remain open continuously from that time until 5 o’clock
p.m. of the same day when the center shall be closed pursuant to Elections Code
section 10242. Further, that all drop-off centers for the election shall be open at 7 a.m.
on Election Day, and shall remain open continuously from that time until 8:00 o’clock
p.m. of the same day when the centers shall be closed pursuant to Elections Code
section 10242, except as provided in Elections Code section 14401.
SECTION 7. That pursuant to Elections Code section 12310, a stipend for services for
the persons named as election board members is fixed at the sum of $160 for each
Inspector and $120 for each Clerk for the election. In addition, the sum of $20 will be
paid to each Inspector and the sum of $10 for each Clerk to attend a training class; the
sum of $10 will be given to each Inspector to pick up the precinct supplies; and the sum
of $10 will be paid to each bilingual election board member.
SECTION 8. That in all particulars not recited in this Resolution, the election shall be
held and conducted as provided by state law for holding vote-by-mail elections.
SECTION 9. That notice of the time and place of holding the election is given and the
City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to give further or additional notice of the
election in the time, form, and manner as required by law.
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