Town of Portola Valley; Measure B
This information is provided by the County Registrar

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF OR IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED LAWS ARE THE OPINIONS
OF THE AUTHORS

TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY

MEASURE B
"If, and only if, Town of Portola Valley Measure A which adjusts the Town's
appropriation limit passes, shall the Town of Portola Valley impose an
additional utility tax at a rate not to exceed 2.0% to amend Ordinance No.
1985-207, as amended, the proceeds of which shall be used only for funding open
space projects of the Town; and shall the appropriations limit of the Town be
adjusted each fiscal year commencing July 1, 1998, by the amount of money
collected from the imposition of such Utility Users Tax during the time of its
levy and collection, provided that the authorization to so adjust the
appropriations limit shall not exceed four (4) years from the end of Fiscal
Year 1997-1998?"

IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE B

The Council of the Town of Portola Valley has called for a municipal election
to be combined with the general election to be held on November 4, 1997, for
the purpose of presenting to the Town's qualified electors a ballot measure,
which will authorize the imposition of a special 2% utility tax to fund
open-space projects by the Town, if the measure is approved by more than
two-thirds (2/3) of the voters voting on the measure and if Ballot Measure A
authorizing the adjustment in the Town's appropriations limit is approved.

In addition, approval of this ballot measure will authorize an adjustment in
the Town's appropriations limit each fiscal year starting July 1, 1998, by the
amount of money raised from the imposition of the special 2% utility user's tax
during the time of its levy and collection in each of the four consecutive
fiscal years beginning with the Fiscal Year 1998-1999. Following the final
fiscal year of these four fiscal years, the Town's appropriations limit will
revert to the amount it would have been had the ballot measure not received a
favorable vote.

If the measure receives a two-thirds (2/3) vote, and Measure A receives a
favorable vote, the special utility user's tax may be levied and collected at a
rate not to exceed 2.0%. Money collected from the tax levy will be placed in a
special Town account to fund open-space projects selected by the Town. If the
measure does not receive a two-thirds (2/3) vote and/or Measure A does not
receive a favorable vote, the Town will not be allowed to impose the open-space
utility tax.

Margaret A. Sloan
Town Attorney for Town of Portola Valley

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE B

VOTE YES ON MEASURE B to protect Portola Valley's rural ambiance and
undeveloped open space.

In 1964, Portola Valley residents voted overwhelmingly to incorporate our Town,
thereby providing local control to protect the wonderful natural environment we
all know and love. Our low cost, largely volunteer Town government has been
remarkably successful in accomplishing this task, allowing reasonable
development while protecting Portola Valley's essential rural character.

However, if we are to be successful in protecting the critical remaining vistas
and corridors, our Town must have adequate financial resources to purchase key
pieces of undeveloped land and easements as they become available. Measure B
will provide a vital tool in giving our Town the needed resources to accomplish
this.

Measure B will do this at a modest cost to Portola Valley residents: $7.50 a
month on average per household (only $90 per year). This is a small price to
pay for providing permanent protection for some of Portola Valley's most
important open space and scenic vistas - precious amenities which not only
enrich our lives, but also add value to everyone's property in our Town.

Measure B will authorize the collection of a 2% tax on our utility bills with
the proceeds to be dedicated to the protection of open space. Measure B will
require a two-thirds "yes" vote to be enacted. We strongly urge all Portola
Valley residents to come together in supporting Measure B to protect the beauty
of our Town. It is important that we demonstrate our commitment to investing in
our Town's future. We must enact Measure B to safeguard Portola Valley's rural
character for ourselves and future generations.

Please join us on November 4 and vote YES ON MEASURE B.
Eleanor Boushey, Open Space Committee Advisor, Former Mayor
Thomas W. Ford, Open Space Committee Advisor, 
	Former Planning Commission Chair
L.W. "Bill" Lane Jr., Open Space Committee Advisor, Former Mayor
Jon Silver, Former Mayor
Lea Zaffaroni, Planning Commissioner, 
	Former Open Space Committee Chair

NO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE B SUBMITTED

Copyright © 1997 League of Women Voters of California, Smart Valley Inc.
The League of Women Voters never supports or opposes candidates or political parties.