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Measure C
City of Albany Sidewalks and Pathways
Shall a measure to impose a special parcel tax on non-exempt property at $0.017 per lot square foot to repair and upgrade public sidewalks and pathways to improve safety and accessibility, replacing the existing special parcel tax imposed for sidewalk repair, subject to an annual consumer price index adjustment up to 3%, capped for larger parcels at a maximum $6,000 tax per parcel, providing an estimated $392,282 annually, until June 30, 2035, be adopted?
Vote Required: 2/3
SCORE: 4.5
Comments: The score was only slightly lowered from the maximum of five because of the failure to provide information on the rate of the existing special parcel tax. Otherwise this ballot title was straight forward and informative and provides the expected information for voters to make an informed decision.
Measure L
Albany USD Bond Measure
“To improve and construct safe, modern classrooms, restrooms, and community and arts facilities; renovate cafeterias/dining areas, and outdoor spaces; replace outdated portables with new classrooms; update aging electrical, heating/cooling systems, and roofs; shall Albany Unified School District’s measure be adopted authorizing $63,800,000 in bonds at legal rates, levy approximately $60 per $100,000 of assessed value, raising approximately $4,210,000 annually while bonds are outstanding, with independent oversight, audits and all funds staying local?”
Vote Required: 55%
SCORE: 2.3
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because of the failure to provide information on the duration of the bonds and the estimated cost of repayment, whether there were any existing bonds in place, whether the proposed bonds were Capital Appreciation bonds or follow a regular amortization schedule, and because of extraneous verbiage designed to influence a Yes vote such as “all funds staying local” Would anyone expect Albany to improve schools in another town?
Measure R
City of Albany
To fund local tenant rental assistance programs, residential rental code enforcement, legal assistance for tenants and landlords, and to support rental providers to avoid financial hardship, shall a measure establishing a supplemental special business license tax on residential rental businesses of 0.36% of gross receipts for renting four or fewer units in the City and 1% of gross receipts for renting five or more units, providing approximately $475,000 annually until ended by voters, be adopted?
Vote Required: 2/3
SCORE: 3.8
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because of the failure to provide information on whether there were any existing or similar taxes. There was a lack of clarity as what the money would be spent on because the laundry list at the beginning was so broad and the actual amount raised was small. The claim that the tax would remain until “ended by the voters” is deceptive because it implies there is a mechanism within the measure to terminate the tax. There is no probable way to end this tax other than the difficult citizen initiative process. Effectively this tax would be permanent.
Measure S
City of Albany, Delegate Authority to Appoint
Shall the City Charter of Albany be amended to delegate the authority to appoint City officers and department heads from the City Council to the City Manager, except for the City Attorney, who would still be appointed by the City Council, and delegate authority for organizing the City to the City Manager?”
Required Vote: 50%+1
SCORE:3.1
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because of the lack of clarity as to why the measure was needed. No problem was identified for which this measure would be the solution. There also is no explanation on financial impacts from the change. Only about 50 of the 75 words allowed to explain the measure were actually used. More clarity could have easily been provided to the voters.
Measure T
City of Albany, Eliminate Bond Requirement
Shall the City Charter of Albany be amended to eliminate the requirement that officers as determined by the City Council execute a bond before entering upon their official duties?”
Vote Required: 50%+1
SCORE: 3.4
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because of the lack of clarity as to why the measure was needed. No problem was identified for which this measure would be the solution. There also is no explanation as to whether there would be financial impacts from the change. Voters will not even know who pays for the bond if it’s retained. Only about 30 of the 75 words allowed to be used to explain the measure were actually used. More clarity could have easily been provided to the voters.
Measure U
City of Albany, City’s Bonding Limit Shall the City Charter of Albany be amended to remove the exception for school purpose bonds from the City’s bonding limit and clarify that the City’s bonding limit is the lesser of (1) 15% of the assessed valuation of the property in the City subject to direct taxation or (ii) the statutory maximum amount?
Vote Required: 50%+1
SCORE: 3.6
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because of the lack of clarity as to why the measure was needed. Because of the vague and complex language, it is unlikely that most voters will understand what is being proposed. No problem was identified for which this measure would be the solution. There also is no explanation on whether there would be financial impacts from the change. There were 20 or more words available to further clarify what is proposed.
Measure V
City of Albany, Youth Voting
Shall the City Charter of Albany be amended to allow Albany residents to vote for local candidates and ballot measures in municipal and school district elections if they are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old and registered to vote, once the City Council and School Board, respectively, determine that including 16- and 17-year old voters in such elections will be cost-effective and feasible, and to repeal older Charter language about former elected officers?
Vote Required: 50%+1
SCORE: 2.5
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because of the failure to explain or even estimate what the costs would be to implement, as well as the failure to present a reason as to why the measure was needed. No problem was identified for which this measure would be the solution. There is particular vagueness as to how the measure would be implemented and by whom (Registrar of Voters?). The ambiguous language, “to repeal older Charter language about former elected officers” is particularly troublesome. This impacts multiple issues on the same ballot and would confuse voters as to what they are actually voting on.
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