By Robert E. Shannon
Long Beach City Attorney
(From www.longbeach.gov)
This measure would amend the municipal code by adopting an ordinance entitled the “Long Beach Infrastructure Reinvestment Act” to raise revenue solely for the purpose of financing certain infrastructure projects. Measure I, if approved by two-thirds of the voters, would authorize the City to impose a special tax on parcels of real property within the City. By law, the revenue from the special tax can only be used for acquisition, improvement, repair, replacement, rehabilitation, relocation, restoration, and preservation of the following:
• Streets, signals, sidewalks and alleys.
• Storm water collection, transportation, detention and discharge systems.
• Fire and police stations and other public safety facilities.
• Parks and recreation and community facilities.
• Open space and wetlands.
• Libraries and health facilities.
The revenue may also be used for the payment of debt service on and the administration of any bonds issued for the improvements aforementioned.
The proposed ordinance establishes an annual parcel tax of $120.00 per year ($10 per month) per parcel with a single-family residence, or per unit with a multi-family residence. Rates for commercial and other uses would vary depending upon parcel and building size. The formula to compute the parcel tax for commercial and other property types is specified in the ordinance, a copy of which is included in the sample ballot materials and is available from the city clerk. The rates are subject to annual increases based on the annual percent increase in the Consumer Price Index.
The proposed ordinance establishes a procedure for senior citizens and disabled persons who own and occupy a single-family residence to apply for an exemption from the tax.
The proposed ordinance requires that all tax proceeds be deposited in a special fund subject to an annual independent audit report by the city auditor which will set forth the amount of the tax collected and expended and the status of any projects funded with tax proceeds. It further requires the establishment of a Citizen’s Oversight Committee to review the amount of tax revenue collected and expended, to make recommendations on the priority of funded projects, and to submit an annual public report of findings to the city council.
Two-thirds of those voting on Measure I must approve the measure for it to pass. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of authorizing the parcel tax. A “no” vote is a vote against authorizing the parcel tax.
Argument in favor of Measure I
Long Beach firefighters, environmentalists, classroom teachers, business and fiscal accountability leaders have joined to vote yes on Measure I.
A yes vote on Measure I rebuilds 400 miles of streets, 163 miles of sidewalks and 75 miles of alleys.
A yes vote on Measure I helps clean up toxic runoff that pollutes our ocean and beaches by installing 3,000 bacteria and trash screens, 28.1 miles of storm drains and 23 pump stations.
A yes vote on Measure I upgrades Long Beach fire stations to meet health and safety standards, build gender accommodations for our female firefighters and respond faster to 911 calls for service.
A yes vote on Measure I rebuilds and repairs deteriorating neighborhood park facilities, community centers and libraries creating more recreational opportunities for our youth.
Measure I creates a dedicated fund in the City of Long Beach to be used only to pay for infrastructure. The City Council can’t spend this money on anything else – it is dedicated under state law to fixing infrastructure.
Measure I creates a citizens’ oversight board and funds are independently audited every year.
Measure I exempts disabled residents, seniors in owner occupied homes, faith-based organizations and non-profits.
Measure I invests in our City’s crumbling streets, sidewalks, alleys and water quality systems for the first time in 50 years. Let’s invest in Long Beach for our children and grandchildren.
Proponents include: former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill, Long Beach Fire Fighters Association, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, former California Governor George Deukmejian, Long Beach Police Officers Association, California Business Roundtable, Long Beach Chapter of the Sierra Club, Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, Teachers Association of Long Beach President Mike Day, California Small Business Association President Betty Jo Toccoli, and Long Beach Junior Chamber Chairman Andrew Anson.
Argument against Measure I
Measure I is a 35-year parcel tax to pay for an infrastructure bond.
There are no set priorities for the tax money. More importantly, the anticipated cost of any single project is unknown. This measure states the money “cannot be used for any other purpose,” but it does not say how your money will be used or state a timetable for individual project completion. The city’s list of infrastructure projects, and their importance, may be vastly different from yours.
The City Council rushed this measure to the November ballot without sufficient public debate. This parcel tax has vast inequities. Residential properties worth $200,000 and those worth $20,000,000 pay the same $120.00/year parcel tax and 3 percent maximum yearly increase. Renters will likely not escape the tax with owners being allowed to pass through their cost
In separate City documents; for the next 10 years, the City wants to take the “anticipated” general fund revenues (various taxes of $265 million dollars), and combine them with Measure I revenue ($571 million) to allocate towards infrastructure. These taxes, totaling $836 million, plus interest on the bond, push the cost of funding infrastructure at or near $1 billion. For that kind of money, Long Beach taxpayers need to think long and hard about this bypass of Proposition 13.
Long Beach is currently at its spending limit and without sufficient reserves in the event of an emergency. Adding “credit card” debt will allow Long Beach to continue their thoughtless and reckless spending while asking for more of your tax dollars.
Vote no on Measure I, and tell the city it needs to prioritize its spending within the current revenues and not ask for additional taxes to fund infrastructure repair. We have already paid once.
Opponents include: Long Beach Area Republican Party, Long Beach Taxpayers Association, and Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske.
