LWV League of Women Voters of California
Smart Voter
Contra Costa County, CA November 6, 2001 Election
Measure M
Library
City of Richmond
Tax Measure

6,163 / 48.5% Yes votes ...... 6,538 / 51.5% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall the ordinance levying an annual parcel tax of (1) $19.80 for single-family residential dwelling units, (2) $19.80 for the first unit and $14.85 for each unit thereafter for multiple-family residential dwelling units, and (3) S39.60 for non-residential parcels, which will be levied in each of eight consecutive fiscal years in order to provide additional funds for the maintenance and operations of the Richmond Public Library, be adopted?

Impartial Analysis from the City Attorney
This measure would authorize the levy of a special parcel tax to provide additional funds for the maintenance and operation of the Richmond Public Library. All funds obtained from this tax would be placed in a Library special Tax Fund, and the funds would be used exclusively for the maintenance and operation of the library.

The special parcel tax would be levied for only eight consecutive fiscal years, and would be allocated annually on the following classifications of property within the City of Richmond: (1) $19.80 on each single-family residential dwelling unit or residential unit in a residential condominium project, (2) $19.80 on the first residential unit of a multiple-family dwelling unit and $14.85 for each residential unit of the multi-family dwelling unit thereafter (excluding a condominium project), and (3) $39.60 for each non-residential parcel (including commercial, industrial and institutional) which does not currently qualify for an exemption from ad valorem taxation under California law.

The following properties would be exempt from the proposed special tax: (1) any property owned by any federal, state or local governmental agency; (2) any property owned by a house of worship or charitable or community service organization which qualifies for an exemption from ad valorem taxation under California law; and (3) any vacant property.

This special parcel tax would only be levied if approved by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by voters voting on the special tax proposal.

  
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Arguments For Measure M
Richmond residents value their libraries. In 1998 and 2000, Richmond's voters strongly supported countywide ballot measures to increase revenues for libraries in Richmond and the County. Those measures failed because of insufficient support from voters in other parts of Contra Costa County.

Richmond's Measure M can deliver what the countywide measures could not. The Richmond Library Special Tax would:

  • Double the annual budget for library materials
  • Develop branch library services in the Hilltop area
  • Continue modernization of the Main Library.

Measure M would create a special parcel tax of $19.80 annually, for eight years, on each single-family dwelling -- less than the cost of a new book. Of course, today's libraries offer far more than books. They offer opportunities:
  • Opportunities for students enrolled in West Contra Costa Unified School District. These children rely on the Richmond Public Library to supplement under-funded school libraries with books, media, and research help.
  • Opportunities for adults learning English. Literacy classes and bilingual materials help newcomers assume greater roles in our city.
  • Opportunities for homeowners and do-it-yourselfers, for whom libraries provide up-to-date manuals and reference works.
  • Opportunities for elderly residents, who browse the Internet and periodicals to stay informed and involved.
  • Opportunities for professionals, who depend on specialized resources to advance their careers.

Richmond residents value libraries because they value those opportunities. Yet some say they support libraries but not tax increases to fund them. That's like saying you support gardens but not planting.

The 2000 Census reveals that Richmond's population has grown and become more diverse. If our Library is to continue offering opportunities to all its residents, its resources must also grow and diversify. Measure M is the way to do that.

Vote for opportunities. Vote yes on Measure M.

/s/ Eddrick J. Osborne

/s/ Sandi Genser-Maack

/s/ Virginia G. Finlay

/s/ Nick Despota

/s/ Lovie Mc Intosh

(No arguments against Measure M were submitted)

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Created: December 3, 2001 02:34
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