Newark, California, Sales Tax, Measure GG (November 2016)
| Measure GG: Newark Sales Tax |
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| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
| Topic: |
| Local sales tax Expires in: 25 years |
| Related articles |
| Local sales tax on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Alameda County, California ballot measures City tax on the ballot |
| See also |
| Newark, California |
A sales tax measure was on the ballot for Newark voters in Alameda County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of establishing a one half-cent sales tax to fund general city services. |
| A no vote was a vote against establishing a one half-cent sales tax to fund general city services. |
Election results
| Measure GG | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| 9,373 | 61% | |||
| No | 5,993 | 39% | ||
- Election results from Alameda County Registrar of Voters
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
To upgrade City of Newark facilities and services, including replacing the seismically unsafe police operations/emergency operations center to survive an earthquake; providing updated crimefighting technology; replacing aging library/city facilities with buildings meeting safety codes; providing disabled access and senior/teen/children’s facilities; and other facilities and services; shall the City of Newark enact a one-half cent sales tax, providing $3,500,000 annually, for 25 years, with annual audits, independent citizens’ oversight, and all funds spent locally?[2] |
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Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Newark City Attorney:
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The City Council of the City of Newark has placed Measure GG on the ballot to ask the City's voters to approve a one-half of one percent (0.5%) transactions and use tax for 25 years. The proposed tax would add a half a penny to the price of an item purchased in Newark that costs a dollar (if the item is normally subject to sales tax). Because Measure GG does not limit the use of tax revenue, it is a "general tax" and not a "special tax" that restricts the funds to specific purposes. Therefore, the City may use the funds for any legitimate governmental purpose. The ballot question approved by the City Council identifies priorities for use of the revenue from the tax: "facilities and services, including replacing the seismically unsafe police operations/emergency operations center to survive an earthquake; providing updated crime-fighting technology; replacing aging library/city facilities," among other things. The tax would terminate automatically 25 years after collection begins, unless extended by the voters. The Measure requires the City's independent auditors to annually prepare a publicly available report on the revenue and expenditure of the tax. Additionally, it requires the creation of a five-member independent committee to review expenditures of tax revenue. The proposed measure is a "transactions and use tax." If approved, the tax would be levied on many, but not all, of the same purchases as the existing sales tax. Retailers and other businesses would collect the tax at the time of sale and remit the funds to the Board of Equalization, which administers the tax and transmits the funds to the City. The funds would be deposited into the City's General Fund and could not be taken away by the State. The funds could be used for any legitimate governmental purpose, including the projects identified in the ballot question. Currently, the sales tax in Newark is 9.5% of the purchase price and will be reduced to 9.25% starting January 1, 2017. The City currently receives 1% to pay for general municipal services. If Measure GG is approved, the total sales tax rate for most items purchased in Newark would be 9.75% and the City would receive 1.5%. A "Yes" vote is a vote to approve a half-cent transactions and use tax for 25 years. A "No" vote is a vote against the tax. Measure GG would be approved if it receives a simple majority of "Yes" votes. [2] |
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| —Newark 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]
- Alan L. Nagy, Mayor, City of Newark
- Patricia L. Danielson, Washington Hospital Board Member
- David W. Smith, Mayor Emeritus, City of Newark
- Rick Arellano, Ohlone College Professor Emeritus
- Nancy Thomas, Newark Unified School District, Board Member
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[3]
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Vote YES on Help keep Newark safe and vibrant. An independent consultant found the Police, City Administration and Library buildings lack seismic upgrades, rendering the Police building inoperable after a major earthquake and hobbling disaster response to Newark residents. The current police station needs technological and operational upgrades to improve safety, response time and crime prevention programs. Both the Library and Police/City Administration buildings were built before the broad use of modern technology and computers. The infrastructure to support the technological world we live in today is absent from these structures. The Police/Administration building was built more than 50 years ago when the Newark population was 24,000. Since then the Newark population has doubled and the workforce has increased to the point where the buildings are not functional. The Library was built more than 34 years ago with the premise of serving a smaller population. The small size and inefficiency of the Library severely impacts its ability to provide services and programs to children and adult users. Currently, space cannot be dedicated for use by seniors, teens and children. Retrofitting or expanding the existing structures has been shown to be more costly than new buildings. It is critical these buildings be replaced as we continue into the 21st century. While we have consistently maintained a balanced budget and demonstrated sound fiscal stewardship, there are no existing funds to finance replacement of these buildings. This measure asks voters to approve a one-half percent sales tax increase to finance modern, safe and efficient buildings to be built on the existing Civic Center site. Construction could begin in 2018. Funding for enhanced neighborhood police patrols, crime prevention, anti-drug and gang prevention programs and improved 9-1-1 response would also be provided. Please support these critical improvements - Vote YES on J [2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[3]
- Ricardo Corte
- Martin Doyle
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[3]
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We concede the City Administration building needs replacement and the library needs more functionality. However, the government's proposed plan is a bad deal for Newark residents. Here is why: Raising the sales tax for twenty-five years to 10% makes Newark one of the most expensive cities in California. Of California's 2,187 cities, only 9 pay such a high sales tax. This can harm our residents and local businesses as residents may drive to Fremont or Milpitas to avoid Newark's higher sales tax. The government's consultants stated they need $64 million for the new buildings. However, the government is asking us for $87 million. Including interest, the total cost of the measure is $133 million. The additional funds allow the government to use the funds without restriction. The government has failed to impartially analyze and present creative cost-effective alternatives like an independent evaluation for renovating the library, phased construction, staggered funding, and temporarily leasing local office space. Instead, from the start, new buildings have been the thrust for the project ensuring affordable alternatives were generally ignored. Designed by a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, our library has historical significance. The city's plan calls for it to be vacated. It deserves renovation, not waiting until demolition is the only option. Despite having multiple decades to save and prepare for new administration buildings, the government has minimal savings for such a project. Send a message to the city that saving up to maintain and upgrade our civic buildings should be the current priority. When the current utility users tax has built up the financial reserve, then the government can consider constructing new buildings. Meanwhile, maintaining the buildings we have, and temporarily renting needed space is the financially responsible option. Vote "No" on Measure [X]. It is the wrong solution for our city. [2] |
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Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Newark, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Newark Local sales tax. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Alameda County, "November 8, 2016 General Election Local Measures," accessed October 12, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Alameda County, "Measure GG," accessed October 30, 2016
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