October 24, 2016

Author

Claudia Sisomphou

In addition to the state-wide California ballot propositions, there are also county-wide and city-wide measures being proposed in Sonoma County. While driving through our county you have probably seen various "Vote YES on measure ___" or "Vote NO on measure ___" signs displayed on the front yards of homes and businesses. These measures are incredibly important because they directly affect the communities that we live in, and are addressed on a local government level. As a community member you may already be familiar with the titles of some of the local measures, but here is a guide to help you understand what the intention of each of these initiatives are and how they will impact Sonoma County and the cities within it.

In This Post: Sonoma County, The City of Santa Rosa, The City of Cotati, and The City of Napa.

The County of Sonoma:

Title: Measure K - Voter Approval Protection for "Community Separators" Renewal

In a Nutshell: This measure aims to effectively prevent the County Board of Supervisors from changing or removing the green space protections without a countywide vote. In 1989, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors made the decision to preserve about 17,000 acres of open space by designating the land as "community separators", and prohibited any residential and commercial development in this area. Less than 10 years later, the Board solidified the protection of "community separators" by approving a measure to require voter approval for any changes made to the boundaries or restrictions of the areas. The measure also required voter approval for the authorization of any exceptions to specific development projects to be built within the open space buffers. This requirement of voter approval is set to expire in 2016. In order to continue to require the public vote to amend boundaries or authorize developments within the 17,000 acres of "community separators", this initiative must pass. If it does not pass, voter approval will no longer be required.

Important Questions to ask yourself: Should decisions on development and boundaries continue to need voter approval? Were there any development proposals within the "community separators" that were denied since the requirement of voter approval was established?

Sustainability/Diversity Questions: If this measure does not pass, what are the potential consequences of leaving the decisions made on the "community separators" in the hands of the County Board of Supervisors?

So What Exactly Does a YES Vote Mean: "Yes" would extend the provision requiring voter approval to remove or amend county law preserving green space between cities.

What a NO Vote Means: "No" would allow the voter approval requirement to expire.

Title: Measure J

In a Nutshell: This measure proposes a ½ cent sales tax to fund regional park maintenance and improvements. If passed, this measure will raise an estimated $95 million over the next 10 years and will help to address Sonoma County's shortfall in park funding. The measure specifically addresses funding to: expand, maintain, and improve our parks; protect drinking water sources, streams, and rivers; protect natural areas; preserve fish and wildlife habitat; and increase local trails. It aims to provide stable, locally-controlled funding for Sonoma County's parks and open space. It will require a 2/3rd majority vote in order to pass.

Important Questions to ask yourself: Where does the current funding of Sonoma County's regional park maintenance and improvement efforts come from? Are there any consequences related to this measure?

Sustainability/Diversity Questions: What benefits and improvements to parks and open space could be achieved with this sales tax?

So What Exactly Does a YES Vote Mean: "Yes" would create a ½ cent sales tax to fund regional park maintenance and improvements.

What a NO Vote Means: "No" would reject the proposal of a ½ cent sales tax to fund regional park maintenance and improvements.

Title: Measure L

In a Nutshell: This measure increases the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), which is a tax that only visitors pay when they stay as guests in hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, vacation rentals, and any licensed establishment in Sonoma County, from 9% to 12%. This 3 percent raise is estimated to generate about $4.8 million in additional revenue per year. Since 1986, 3/4ths of the revenue generated from TOT goes to help promote County tourism and economic development by helping support promotional, community and cultural activities. The recipients include local Chambers of Commerce, visitor centers, local and county-wide events and cultural and artistic organizations. The other 1/4th is directed to the county general fund for emergency services, workforce housing development, code enforcement, and road repairs and improvements.

Important Questions to ask yourself: What are the benefits and drawbacks of this proposition? How does this proposed TOT compare to other the TOT of other counties? Could this measure potentially deter tourists?

Sustainability/Diversity Questions: How would centers and organizations that are the recipients of the tax revenue benefit from an increased TOT? What are these centers and organizations currently doing with the TOT revenue?

So What Exactly Does a YES Vote Mean: "Yes" increases the TOT in Sonoma County from 9% to 12%.

What a NO Vote Means: "No" would not increase the TOT in Sonoma County.

Title: Measure Y

In a Nutshell: This measure creates a ⅛ cent sales tax that would provide locally controlled funds for our local libraries to address priorities such as: restoring library hours which have been cut by 25% since 2011; maintaining the library's children's book collection; constructing dedicated computer labs; keeping qualified librarians; providing educational services for students like help with homework; and expanding services for seniors and the disabled. During the Great Recession, property tax revenue was great reduced and the lack of funding resulted in a cut in library hours, deferred maintenance on library buildings, and a smaller budget for purchasing books. If passed, this measure would generate approximately $12 million in revenue annually.

Important Questions to ask yourself: What are the other sources of funding for Sonoma County Libraries? Are there any opposers of this initiative?

Sustainability/Diversity Questions: Would this measure improve the quality and accessibility of the Sonoma County Libraries?

So What Exactly Does a YES Vote Mean: "Yes" establishes a ⅛ cent sales tax to provide funding for our local libraries.

What a NO Vote Means: "No" rejects the creation of a ⅛ cent sales tax to provide funding for our local libraries.

Sources:

Measure K - http://www.greenbelt.org/sonoma-county-community-separators/

Measure J - http://www.greenbelt.org/blog/sonoma-county-yes-measure-j/

Measure L - http://www.sonomanews.com/news/6063650-181/tot-increase-on-the-ballot

Measure Y - https://sonomalibrary.org/sites/default/files/attachments/funding/Measure_Y_November_8_2016_cg.pdf

https://sonomalibrary.org/funding

The City of Santa Rosa:

Title: Measure O

In a Nutshell: 2004's Measure O set a minimum funding level, or "baseline", required of the General Fund for Police, Fire, and Gang Prevention/Intervention Programs. Currently, the annual baseline is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The City Council seeks to amend the General Fund baseline requirement to replace the set dollar amount every year with a set percentage of the General Fund budget. If the measure passes, the General Fund will be required to budget the programs as the Police Department with 34%, the Fire Department with 23.7%, and Gang Prevention/Intervention at 0.4%.

The passed measure in 2004 also created a special tax that provides funding to Police, Fire, and Gang Prevention/Intervention Programs. Both Police and Fire receive 40% of the funding, and Gang Prevention/Intervention receives 20%. 2016's Measure O would not change this.

Important Questions to ask yourself: What are the potential benefits and potential consequences of this measure? What is the difference between the baseline requirement of funding being based on the CPI and the baseline requirement of funding being based on percentages?

Sustainability/Diversity Questions: If passed, how will this affect the funding of Police, Fire, and Gang Prevention/Intervention Programs and other programs which could receive lower funding?

So What Exactly Does a YES Vote Mean: "Yes" would amend the General Fund baseline requirement of funding Police, Fire, and Gang Prevention/Intervention Programs to be based on a set percentage of the General Fund Budget, rather than on the CPI.

What a NO Vote Means: "No" would maintain the current General Fund baseline requirement and basis for funding Police, Fire, and Gang Prevention/Intervention Programs on the CPI.

Title: Measure N

In a Nutshell: Measure N aims to continue the existing, voter-approved local ¼ cent sales tax that funds "quality of life" services including streets, parks, youth and senior programs, and public safety services. The sales tax was adopted by Santa Rosa voters in November 2010, and will expire in March of 2019. If Measure N is adopted this year, the new expiration date would be March of 2027. This measure allows the General Fund the ability to keep budgeting for these programs and services, maintaining the access to and quality of City services.

Important Questions to ask yourself: Aside from the adopted sales tax what are the other sources of funding, if there are any, for these services? Are there opposers of this proposition?

Sustainability/Diversity Questions: What is the current quality of these services? If this measure does not pass, how would this affect the quality and access of these City services?

So What Exactly Does a YES Vote Mean: "Yes" would extend the existing Santa Rosa ¼ cent sales tax to expire the year of 2027 rather than 2019.

What a NO Vote Means: "No" would keep the existing expiration date for the Santa Rosa ¼ cent sales tax for the year of 2019.

The City of Cotati:

Title: Measure Q

In a Nutshell: This measure seeks to renew Cotati's current urban growth boundary, which is a planning tool for cities and towns that identifies the extent of where we locate our homes, schools, and businesses as well as separating an urban area from its surrounding greenbelt of natural and agricultural lands, for an additional 30 years. The initiative also aims to strengthen existing policies and language that protect groundwater basins and biologically sensitive habitats. In 1998, Cotati residents chose to protect nearby open spaces by adopting a boundary beyond which major development is not allowed. This urban growth boundary was approved with 71% of the votes and was established for a 20-year period that will expire in 2018. Uniquely, Sonoma County is the only Bay Area county in which every city is protected by a voter-approved urban growth boundary.

Important Questions to ask yourself: What are the benefits and drawbacks of passing this initiative? Who would be in charge of determining the new urban growth boundary if this measure were not to pass? Are there any opposers to this proposition?

Sustainability/Diversity Questions: What habitats and agricultural lands would be affected if the boundary did not exist?

So What Exactly Does a YES Vote Mean: "Yes" would renew Cotati's current urban growth boundary for an additional 30 years.

What a NO Vote Means: "No" would essentially allow Cotati's current urban growth boundary to expire.

The City of Napa:

Title: Measure Z

In a Nutshell: This measure seeks to establish a ¼ cent sales tax to permanently protect up to 30,000 acres of watersheds, forests, and natural habitats throughout Napa County. Over the span of its 14 year term, the sales tax would raise approximately $8 million a year to go towards: the protection of water resources, quality, and quantity; the restoration and protection of watersheds, rivers, and creeks; the management of vegetation to preserve biodiversity and reduce wildfire risk; the protection of natural areas and wildlife habitat; improving and maintaining existing parks; and maintaining and enhancing walking, hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. It will require a 2/3rd majority vote in order to pass.

Important Questions to ask yourself: What does the current funding of these projects look like? Are there any opposers to this proposition?

Sustainability/Diversity Questions: Would this measure improve the quality and maintenance of Napa's parks and open space?

So What Exactly Does a YES Vote Mean: "Yes" would establish a ¼ cent sales tax in Napa in order to fund the protection of watersheds, forests, and natural habitats throughout Napa County.

What a NO Vote Means: "No" would not establish a ¼ cent sales tax and would maintain existing funds.