Local Tax Elections:
Voters to Decide Fate of Many Local Tax Measures March 5

Taxpayers who thought they would have a reprieve in 2013 from attempts to raise taxes might be surprised to learn that several tax measures will be on the ballot in March and April, especially in Los Angeles County.

Information about the measures is included in the table below.

LOCAL ELECTIONS IN 2013
DATE	SUBJECT	COUNTY	JURISDICTION	BALLOT LABEL	DESCRIPTION
March 5	Bond, School	Los Angeles	Burbank Unified School District	Measure S	Authorizes issuance of $110 million in bonds to upgrade classrooms, computers, and technology and replace aging portable classrooms, electrical systems, plumbing, sewer lines, roofs, and play areas. Requires 55 percent vote for approval.
March 5	Hotel Tax	Los Angeles	City of San Dimas	Measure A	Increases transient occupancy tax from 8 percent to 12 percent. Requires majority vote for approval.
March 5	Oil Severance Tax	Los Angeles	City of La Habra Heights	Measure B	Increases existing oil severance tax. Effective April 1, 2013, the tax would be 60 cents per barrel, and would recalculated each January 1 based on set criteria. Effective January 1, 2014, the wellhead tax would be $500, increased annually each January 1 until 2015, when the wellhead tax would decrease. Effective April 1, 2013, the tax per 1,000 cubic feet of gas would be 10 cents (some exceptions apply). Requires majority vote for approval.
March 5	Parcel Tax	Alameda	Piedmont Unified School District	Measure A	Tax of $2,406 per parcel effective January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2021. Includes exemptions. Requires a two-thirds vote for approval.
March 12	Parcel Tax	Los Angeles	San Marino Unified School District	Measure R	Extends $330-per-parcel tax for six years. Seniors are exempt. Requires a two-thirds vote for approval.
March 12	Parcel Tax	Los Angeles	South Pasadena Unified School District	Measure S	Extends $98-per-parcel tax for five years. Seniors are exempt. Requires a two-thirds vote for approval.
March 5	Spending Limit	Los Angeles	City of La Habra Heights	Measure A	Removes spending limit for fire tax funds. Requires majority vote for approval.
March 5	Sales and Use Tax	Los Angeles	City of Los Angeles	Prop. A	Increase transactions and use tax by 0.5 percent, bringing the combined state and local sales tax in the city to 9.5 percent. Ballot summary states that measure is needed “To offset severe and repeated State cuts and provide funding for: 911 emergency response services; maintaining firefighter, paramedic, and police officer staffing levels; continuing community policing, senior services, after-school gang and drug prevention programs; repairing potholes and sidewalks; and other general municipal services.” Requires majority vote for approval.
March 5	Sales and Use Tax	Merced	City of Atwater	Measure H	Imposes a 0.5 percent transactions and use tax to fund police, fire and 911 emergency response services for 10 years. Requires a two-thirds vote for approval.
March 5	Utility Users’ Tax	Los Angeles	City of Monterey Park	Measure DD	Expands the utility users’ tax to cover telecommunication services, including mobile phones. The current telephone tax is 3 percent for residential users and 5 percent for commercial users. Requires majority vote for approval.
April 9	Utility Users’ Tax	Los Angeles	City of Burbank	Measure S	Imposes a special tax on sewer and refuse services. The city would assess the tax on all customers receiving sewer and/or refuse services from the city at a rate established by the City Council, not to exceed 2 percent of the fees and charges for these services. Subsidized rates would be offered to eligible low-income customers, individuals over the age of 62, and those who are permanently disabled or on life support. Requires a two-thirds vote for approval.
Compiled by the California Taxpayers Association. The list may not be inclusive of all local measures.

CalTaxletter, February 22, 2013

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