Local Tax Election Results:
Voters Approve Tax Measures in Five of Six Elections in Small Northern California Jurisdictions

Voters in five small Northern California regions approved higher taxes March 6 in special elections. Another measure that appeared before voters in the Southern California city of La Verne had the guise of a tax decrease due to the wording of the ballot question, and it was approved as well.

The La Verne measure reduces the city's utility users' tax rate from 6 percent to 5.75 percent and expands the tax base to previously untaxed services. The measure probably is a net tax increase, but that is not clear.

The only measure defeated in the March 6 elections, was a $250 parcel tax in the Many Oaks Zone of Benefit in El Dorado County (in Cameron Park north of Highway 50), where 44 voters cast "yes" ballots and 49 said "no."

In the days leading up to the election for a parcel tax in California City (in Kern County), the "official city website" carried a headline, in large red letters, reading: "VOTE YES ON MEASURE 'A' TUESDAY." Information on the site says it previously was operated by private individuals, but now "is owned and operated by the California City Redevelopment Agency." The site includes the official city seal, and information about City Council meetings and other content typical of city websites that cannot legally urge a "yes" or "no" position on a pending ballot measure. (Source: www.californiacity.com, accessed March 5.)

Results from Tuesday's election also will allow the Newcastle Fire Protection District to build a new fire station. The existing building has been condemned, and The Sacramento Bee reported that firefighters are currently living in a nearby travel trailer.

The vote results:

March 6 Local Tax Elections
TAX	COUNTY	JURISDICTION	BALLOT LABEL	PROPOSAL	RESULT	% YES
Parcel	El Dorado	Many Oaks Zone of Benefit	Measure A	Tax of $250 per parcel, per year, with no end date, to fund road improvement and maintenance services and drainage facility maintenance services. Replaces existing benefit assessment.	Fail	47.31
Parcel	Kern	California City	Measure A	Parcel tax of $150 per year for six years, to fund police and fire services. City's official website, run by volunteers, proclaimed, "Vote Yes on Measure A."	Pass	68.50
Parcel	Placer	Newcastle Fire Protection District	Measure B	A tax of $150 per parcel to pay for a new fire station, a raise for firefighters, health benefits and operating costs.	Pass	68.92
Parcel	Sonoma	Sonoma Valley Health Care District	Measure A	Extend existing parcel tax of $195 per year, for five years.	Pass	73.16
Parcel	Yolo	Davis Joint Unified School District	Measure C	Tax of $320 per parcel per year, with annual increases based on inflation.	Pass	72.33

Sales	Mendocino	City of Fort Bragg	Measure A	Increase the sales tax by 0.5 percent to provide dedicated revenues for the C.V. Starr Community Center.	Pass	74.43

Utility Users	Los Angeles	City of La Verne	Measure P	Reduce UUT rate on telecommunications from 6 percent to 5.75 percent, and expand the base to cover currently untaxed services.	Pass	86.56

Click here for CalTax's list of 2012 local tax measures, with results from recent elections and details on measures that will appear on the ballot in June, November and at other times of the year in special elections.

Local Tax Election Results: Voters Approve Tax Measures in Five of Six Elections in Small Northern California Jurisdictions

Local Tax Election Results:
Voters Approve Tax Measures in Five of Six Elections in Small Northern California Jurisdictions