See Also: Index of all Measures

A general tax requires a majority vote and is imposed for general governmental purposes, such as, but not limited to: fire, general administrative, library, parks and recreation, and police services.

The City of San Bruno proposes to add Section 3.16.180 to the San Bruno Municipal Code to impose an Airport Parking Facility Tax. This tax is imposed on businesses operating facilities with the purpose of providing parking or storage of motor vehicles for persons going to or from the San Francisco International Airport. Airport parking facilities are typically utilized by those who reside outside of San Bruno and drive to the airport. The amount of the tax is 8% of the facility's gross receipts generated by the parking or storage of vehicles. Upon a finding of public benefit, the ordinance allows the City Council to reduce the tax below 8%.

Similar taxes are imposed by neighboring cities surrounding the San Francisco International Airport. Based upon the 8% rate, the tax is expected to generate approximately $550,000 annually for the City's general fund. This revenue will likely increase if additional airport parking facilities operate in San Bruno.

If the measure is approved, the City of San Bruno Municipal Code will be amended and the airport parking facility tax will become effective January 1, 2000.

City of San Bruno

Visitors who use airport parking facilities do not contribute revenue to the City, yet utilize police, fire, and emergency response services and city roadways. Generally, the City receives no hotel or sales tax from travelers using airport parking locations.

Neighboring cities have received revenues from those outside the cities using SFO airport parking for many years. Residents in both South San Francisco and Burlingame benefit from airport parking taxes. South San Francisco's tax rate of 8% generates nearly $1 million there. The proposed San Bruno parking facility tax rate of 8% will result in over $550,000 in new revenue supporting services to the San Bruno community.

Airport noise and congestion adversely impact San Bruno. Measure J compensates for some negative effects from SFO and its continuing expansion and helps subsidize the costs for police, fire, road repair, and other services in San Bruno.

The airport facility parking tax does not hit the pocketbooks of San Bruno homeowners. Residents will continue to enjoy the excellent municipal services we all receive: police, fire, street maintenance, parks and recreation, street light repair, and library services. Travelers utilizing our city will now share in paying for some of the expense of City operations.

That is why we are urging a YES vote on Measure J.

Please join us in voting YES on Measure J.

/s/ Mayor Ed Simon

/s/ Councilmember Ken Ibarra

/s/ Councilmember Irene O'Connell

/s/ Councilmember Jim Ruane

There is only one "Airport Parking Facility" in San Bruno. Why, after all these years is our San Bruno City Government targeting this business for taxation? Is it an easy target because only "travelers" will be taxed? If so, will San Bruno residents or some other business be the next tax target when City income runs short again?

Our City Administration admits to an ongoing deficit that continues to jeopardize valued City services. We're told our City is run like a business, yet in a REAL business, budget deficits are short lived because real businesses cut costs when income declines.

But no... San Bruno's City Government wants new tax dollars to sustain non-budgeted and/or funded spending such as: hiring consultants to do jobs we believe City Employees can do in-house, losing a lawsuit for negligent mismanagement of city property that could cost the City $1,700,000, the cockamamie purchase of the Wells Fargo Bank Building, and providing costly domestic partner benefits without public scrutiny. What's wrong with this picture?

San Bruno residents expect that their City government live by the golden rule that guides their own personal finances; less income....less spending! Until that happens...NO NEW TAXES!

In our opinion, San Bruno's City Government does not have a viable plan to revitalize our local economy, bring new businesses to town, improve our downtown business district, build sales tax revenues or make budget cuts. THEY JUST WANT MORE TAXES!

Tax Measure J validates poor planning and fiscal mismanagement!

Vote NO on Measure J!

/s/ W. Skip Henderson

/s/ Bill Baker

VOTE NO ON MEASURE J

TAX INCREASES proposed in this Measure validate MISMANAGEMENT of San Bruno's financial resources by those leading the City down the path to financial ruin; namely City Manager Frank Hedley and the City Council.

MISMANAGEMENT EXAMPLES; In 1996 the City Manager and Council hired real estate broker, now Mayor candidate, Larry Franzella to represent the City of San Bruno in what we believe was an impractical real estate venture, spending $410,000 of San Bruno taxpayer money to purchase the Wells Fargo building in "as is" condition. The building needed substantial repairs. This building is still vacant, the $410,000 is neither available to fund City operations or earn interest in the City's treasury. In 1998, Superior Court Judge Craig Parsons found the City liable for negligence resulting in mudslide damages to San Bruno homes. This judgment against the City could cost San Bruno citizens as much as $1,700,000. The city's payroll continues to balloon. It is now loaded with at least 9 City of San Bruno Department managers earning $100,000+ annually in salaries and benefits.

Remember, this parking lot business started many years before Airport expansion. Now the City Council wants to balance the budget on the back of one parking lot business in San Bruno, with no consideration as to how it will impact that business! this is just a mask for a tax and spend bureaucracy and is equivalent to a penalty tax!

Budget deficits are resolved by reducing spending and lowering business taxes to stimulate business activity, NOT CREATING NEW TAXES!

For more information please visit our internet site at:

http://www.e-a-d.com/badtax.html

/s/ W. Skip Henderson

/s/ Bill Baker

Business competitors in other cities have paid similar taxes for over a decade. Residents in South San Francisco and Burlingame benefit from airport parking taxes. South San Francisco's rate of 8% generates nearly $1 million. The proposed parking facility tax rate of 8% will proved over $550,000 in new revenue to support services for our community.

Many communities benefit from airport parking facility taxes - in addition to South San Francisco and Burlingame - Burbank, Los Angeles, Oakland, Ontario, Palm Strings, and Santa Barbara have similar taxes.

In responding to the negative statements against this proposal, please consider the following facts:

• The former Wells Fargo property on San Mateo Avenue is worth more than was paid for it, continues to gain value and will be a cornerstone for revitalization of downtown.

• The 100-year El Nino storms caused unprecedented damage to both private and public property. The City has received a preliminary State recommendation for reimbursement of $1.6 million spent to protect the hillside.

• It takes money to provide city services: Fire - $3.5 million; Police $6.0 million; Library $1.25 million; and Parks and Recreation - $3.125 million to name a few.

Please join us in voting YES on Measure J.

/s/ Mayor Ed Simon

/s/ Councilmember Ken Ibarra

/s/ Councilmember Irene O'Connell

/s/ Councilmember Jim Ruane