Library-Related Ballot Measures
October 2004
This November's ballot will carry a number of local measures related to libraries. With the exception of San Diego's Proposition D, all will require a two-thirds majority for passage.
Altadena Measure B
Shall the Altadena Library District be authorized to continue to levy a special per parcel tax annually for ten years to replace library funding lost due to the elimination of the Special District Augmentation Fund.
City of Berkeley, Measure L: Library Special Tax
Shall the special tax for the Berkeley Public Library be amended to: increase the per foot tax rate from $0.132172 to $0.1540 for residential property and $0.2001 to $0.2331 for other property; change the annual inflation adjustment to 5%; increase the expenditure limitation through FY 2008? Financial Implications: The annual cost in FY 2005 would be $292.60 for a 1,900 square foot home and $2,331.00 for a 10,000 square foot building.
Blanchard/Santa Paula Public Library District, Measure L: Temporary Increase in Appropriations Limit
Shall the appropriations (spending) limit for the Blanchard Community Library remain at $350,000 above the Gann limit from July 1, 2006 through the date of June 30, 2010, as was previously approved by the voters at the ballot November 2, 2000?
El Dorado County, Measure F: Change Existing Library Tax for Apartment Owners
Shall the library special tax approved by the voters in the El Dorado Hills Zone of Benefit on March 5, 2002, be changed so that the tax on parcels of land with apartment units shall be increased to $20.00 per apartment instead of the current flat tax of $25.00 per parcel regardless of the number of apartments on the parcel? The current tax of $25.00 per parcel will remain unchanged for all other properties including single family homes.
County of Fresno Measure B, Library Tax Renewal
This Ordinance shall be known as the "Fresno County Public Library Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance." If approved by the voters, this Ordinance will impose a successor transactions and use tax, which will be the same as the current tax of one-eighth of one percent (which expires Mar. 31, 2006), to be applicable in the incorporated and unincorporated territory of the County, the proceeds of which are to be used exclusively for public library construction, acquisition, programs, and operations within the County. Such revenues shall be used only to supplement existing expenditures for public libraries and shall not be used to supplant existing funding for the support of public libraries.
Hueneme Elementary School District, Measure I: Fund improvements to schools and school libraries
To repair and modernize Hueneme School District elementary and junior high school buildings and grounds by funding improvements that include repairing or replacing leaky roofs; expanding school libraries to make room for books and materials; renovating bathroom facilities at each school; to establish in independent oversight committee, and to qualify for State matching funds, shall the Hueneme School District issue up to $17,100,000 in bonds, at the lowest available interest rates?
City of Lemon Grove, Proposition R. Library Bonds
To improve the quality of library services by increasing computer access, enlarging the book collection and PROP R children's reading areas, shall the City of Lemon Grove issue $3,400,000 in bonds, at legal interest rates, paid back through a property assessment for up to forty years, for the acquisition, construction and improvement of a new community library and conference center, with the facility's maintenance expenses funded by the General Fund which also funds public safety, street improvements, and community programs?
City of Sacramento Measure X: Parcel Tax for Libraries
To maintain children's programs, homework centers, increased hours, new book funding, and technology in branch libraries, shall an equivalent parcel tax replace the existing assessment in 2007-2008 (single family residences $26.60/year; other properties at proportional amounts) for 10 years, with adjustments not exceeding 3% annually or $8.00 total for single family residences during the life of the tax, and requiring City library funding to be maintained or only reduced proportionally with other non-safety services?
City of San Diego, Proposition D: Right of Access to Information (simple majority required)
Shall the City Charter be amended to provide that the people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business?
City of San Jose. Measure S: Library and Reading Protection
To support neighborhood libraries, including: buying needed books and materials; preventing severe reductions in hours; preventing deep cuts in children's reading programs; shall the City of San Jose replace the expiring library assessment with an annual parcel tax in the same amount, $25 for single-family residences and proportional for other properties, adjusted for inflation capped at 3% annually, limited to ten years and subject to independent audits and citizen oversight?
San Luis Obispo County, Measure L-04: Save Our Public Libraries Transaction and Use Tax Ordinance
Shall Ordinance No. 3027 of the County of San Luis Obispo be approved to increase the countywide sales tax by one-quarter percent as a transactions and use tax and a special tax to provide needed funds for countywide local library operations including maintenance and repair of library facilities, restoring and protecting funding for books and materials, increasing open hours, and restoring and protecting services and programs for children, young adults, and older adults?
City of South San Francisco, Measure I: Special Tax
Shall the City of South San Francisco be authorized to add a one percent (1%) increment on the existing hotel tax, paid by guests and collected by hotel operators, raising the total tax imposed from 8% of the room rate to 9% of the room rate, with the revenue from said increment reserved for park, recreation, library and public safety services?
City of South San Francisco, Measure J: Special Tax
Shall the City of South San Francisco be authorized to collect a business license tax from owners and operators of commercial billboards located within the City equal to eight percent (8%) of the gross receipts received from such advertising with the revenue from the tax specifically reserved for park, recreation, library, and public safety services?