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Riverside County, CA June 8, 2010 Election
Measure G
9-1-1 Emergency Response, Police, Fire and Safe Streets Measure
City of Desert Hot Springs

Parcel Tax - 2/3 Approval Required

Pass: 1,677 / 82.57% Yes votes ...... 354 / 17.43% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of July 10 6:05am, 100.00%% of Precincts Reporting (7/7)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

To prevent crime and shorten 9-1-1 response times by hiring additional police officers, firefighters, paramedics; upgrading emergency communications equipment; increasing gang and drug prevention programs; and expanding community policing, shall the City of Desert Hot Springs renew the existing annual public safety parcel tax rates for a period of 10 years, with independent citizens' review/annual audits? Para prevenir los delitos y reducir el tiempo de respuesta de 9-1-1 al contratar agentes de policía, bomberos y paramédicos adicionales; mejorar los equipos de comunicación de emergencia; aumentar programas de prevención de pandillas y drogas, y ampliar la vigilancia comunitaria, ¿deberá la Ciudad de Desert Hot Springs renovar las tasas existentes de impuestos sobre las parcelas destinados a seguridad pública por un período de 10 años, con revisión de ciudadanos/auditorías anuales independientes?

Impartial Analysis from Ruben Duran, City Attorney
The City Council of the City of Desert Hot Springs has placed Measure "G" on the June 8, 2010 ballot to ask voters to consider extending the existing Public Safety Special Tax ("Public Safety Tax") for an additional ten (10) years. Measure "G" would only become effective if approved by two-thirds of voters casting a vote on the Measure at the election.

If approved, Measure "G" would extend the current Public Safety Tax for an additional ten years, to June 30, 2020, at which time it would terminate automatically, unless extended by the voters of the City of Desert Hot Springs. A "Yes" vote is to extend the Public Safety Tax. A "No" vote is to allow the tax to expire.

The Public Safety Tax was originally approved by the voters in 2000, and will expire on June 30 of this year. As approved, the tax is levied on all real property located within the City of Desert Hot Springs, except property specifically exempt under state or federal law. The Public Safety Tax is collected by the Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector and provides funding for police protection, fire protection, code enforcement, animal control and other public safety services throughout the City.

The amount of the tax is based on each property's land use classification, including residential properties, commercial properties, industrial properties and hotel properties. Currently, the tax on a single-family residence is $120.87. On an annual basis the tax amount is adjusted by either three percent, or the cost of living increase established by the consumer price index, whichever is less. If the voters extend the Public Safety Tax, the current rates will be adjusted on July 1,2010.

Measure "G" would also add to the Public Safety Tax a definition of the term "Dwelling Unit," which is used to calculate the tax for residential parcels. The definition codifies the currently used administrative interpretation of the term. The addition of the definition would not change the amount of tax presently levied on a parcel.

Currently, the Public Safety Tax generates approximately $1.63 million annually, and funds approximately 13.4 percent of the City's public safety programs. If Measure "G" is not approved, the City will have to significantly reduce its public safety services.

By placing Measure "G" on the ballot, the City complies with Article XIIIC of the California Constitution (adopted by Proposition 218), which requires the voters to approve an amended ordinance extending a special tax. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure "G".

If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the elections official's office at (760) 329-6411 ext. 103 and a copy will be mailed to you at no cost.

DATED: March 22, 2010

  Official Information

City of Desert Hot Springs
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Arguments For Measure G Arguments Against Measure G
9-1-1 EMERGENCY RESPONSE, POLICE, FIRE AND SAFE STREETS MEASURE

We Need to Keep Desert Hot Springs safe, We Need Measure "G" + Vote YES on "G".

Ten years ago, Desert Hot Springs voters overwhelmingly passed two local ballot measures, a utility users and parcel tax, to stabilize the city and establish reliable locally controlled funding for vital city services such as police and fire. Since 2000, these measures have funded the majority of our public safety services. Now, the existing Public Safety Parcel Tax will expire causing a significant loss of funding unless it is renewed.

YES on "G" simply continues the existing parcel tax with NO changes to the rate. Residents will continue to pay the same amount they do today to support essential public safety services.

Without Measure "G", Desert Hot Springs will lose $2 Million in funding, forcing the city to lay off police officers, cut police anti-gang enforcement operations, and reduce graffiti removal, animal control, and building safety and code enforcement services.

Over the past year, the Desert Hot Springs police department has made significant progress in reducing gangs and crime in our City. Now is not the time for cuts to public safety.

Yes on "G" allows Desert Hot Springs to continue programs like Operation Falling Sun, proactive police enforcement that has resulted in the arrest of hundreds of gang members and a reduction of crime.

YES on "G" makes Desert Hot Springs a safer city, attracting more tourists, strengthening the local economy, creating jobs and revitalizing our City. Yes on "G" supports public safety services which protects our property values and the local economy.

YES on "G" continues to ensure your Desert Hot Springs dollars are fiscally accountable. All expenditures are subject to independent annual audits, and public review of city expenditures.

Join Desert Hot Springs Police Officers, Firefighters, business leaders, and residents -- Vote Yes on "G" to keep us safe.

By: Yvonne Parks, Mayor

Jeffrey S. Bowman, Chair, DHS Public Safety Commission

Gustavo Paiz

Eric Pontius, President C of C

John H. Furbee

Rebuttal to Arguments For
Now is the time for a tax break, when crime is down. If not now, when? When crime is up? Be honest, if you're saying not now, you're really saying no tax break ever.

Good hardworking folks are suffering, and they need a break. People's lives are hanging by a financial thread. Many are struggling just for a roof over their head, food on their plates, and needed medicines. Heartbroken, some parents can't afford to spend time with their kids, or even buy them a toy or treat. Rejecting this tax increase can make all the difference.

It's not the only way to balance the budget. This tax increase is regressive, which means people with lower incomes pay the most.

Balancing the budget on the backs of regular folks is wrong. Some unemployed combat-disabled veterans in Desert Hot Springs have $123/month to live.

There's been millions for developers, so public safety is always short. It's a trick, because they know voters will vote for "public safety", but not to give millions of their tax dollars to well-connected developers.

Another trick, nothing stops them from raiding all public safety funds that are not required to be spent for public safety... again.

No explanation why they waited 9 months, letting known dangerous criminals run free, to do "Falling-sun" in front of the cameras, timed to influence last years 40% tax increase vote.

It's about priorities.

Best Wishes,
Robert Bentley
Expert Rating Certified Professional in Economics

http://www.DHSTaxFairness.com
Desert Hot Springs Citizens for Tax Fairness

Fact: This tax increase will cost you about $2 Million in the first year alone.

Fact: It locks-in this tax increase for 10 years. Fact: Now is the wrong time and regular folks need a break.

I told you so. An endless series of tax hikes due to chaotic mismanagement by our local government. Let's be honest. This is a tax hike because it's an "extension" of a tax hike. Only in politics can you count a yes vote that costs taxpayers more than $20 Million as something other than raising taxes.

"The protection of the public safety is the first responsibility of local government and local officials have an obligation to give priority to the provision of adequate public safety services." California Constitution, Article XIII Taxation, Section 35 Promises made... promises broken...

It's about priorities. The fact is they have had money for everything except police.

Beginning April 1, 2008, they have borrowed over $50 Million that local officials admit "can't be used for public safety services". Where did all that money go?

In a highly questionable deal, they bought a worthless Temple for $1.4 Million, its appraised value. However, the Temple will take $1.5 Million just to make it "safe". (Desert Valley Star 5-6-09 & 5-12-09)

Dysfunctional and out of control, they recently gave city employees an 8% pay raise; laying-off people immediately after.

With unemployment over 15%, now is not the time to lock-in a 10-year tax increase.

They plan to pummel you with the politics of fear, deceptive scare tactics, biased media spin, and taxpayer paid advertising.

Do you like it when they spend your tax dollars on advertising telling you how you should vote? More misplaced priorities.

Thank You,
Robert Bentley
President, Desert Hot Springs Citizens for Tax Fairness
Former Police Commissioner & Auditor

Rebuttal to Arguments Against
As a resident of Desert Hot Springs, you understand how important improving our public safety is - you have seen the progress we have made!

Don't be fooled by hype or misinformation + Don't let outrageous statements by a few individuals threaten our safety in Desert Hot Springs. Measure "G" is NOT a tax increase.

The truth is that Measure "G" only continues our existing funding + WITHOUT CHANGE - to support vital public safety services in Desert Hot Springs. Residents will pay the same as today to ensure our community is safe. Over the past year, the Desert Hot Springs police department has made significant progress reducing gangs and crime in our City. Vote Yes on "G" so that we can build on the progress that we have made in this community.

If Measure "G" is not passed, things in Desert Hot Springs will change + for the worse. Without Measure "G", Desert Hot Springs will lose $2 Million for public safety services, forcing the city to lay off police officers, cut police anti-gang enforcement operations, and reduce graffiti removal, animal control, and building safety and code enforcement services.

Vote Yes on "G" to allow Desert Hot Springs to continue programs like Operation Falling Sun and funding so our police officers have the resources to maintain the improvements to public safety we've already made. Now is not the time for public safety cuts.

YES on "G" ensures your dollars are fiscally accountable. All expenditures are subject to independent annual audits, public review, and will expire in 10 years.

Vote to secure our safety, vote Yes on "G".

By: Yvonne Parks, Mayor

Jeffrey S. Bowman, Chair, Public Safety Commission

Gustavo Paiz

Eric Pontius, Chamber President

John H. Furbee


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Created: August 20, 2010 21:40 PDT
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