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City of Berkeley, TraMeasure U
City of Berkeley – Bond Measure
Shall the measure authorizing issuance of $300,000,000 in general obligation bonds to fund acquisition and improvement of fire stations, emergency response facilities, parks and recreation facilities, and other public infrastructure and facilities, and increase climate resiliency, subject to independent oversight and audits, be adopted?
Financial Implications: Average annual taxpayer costs over projected 40 years bonds are outstanding are approximately $22.14 per $100,000 assessed property value; generating approximately $15,200,000/year.
Vote Required: 2/3
Criteria:
1. Intent of bond and amount of the bond.
2. The annual cost should be stated in $ per $100,000 of assessed value of a property.
3. Duration of the bond and total estimated cost to repay the bond including interest.
4. Is there another similar bond already in place? If so, that bond information should be included.
5. What is the money specifically being spent on?
**** Extraneous language unrelated to the matter which could be considered as deceptive to the voter ( -1 point).
Score: 3.8
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because of the unusually large amount of the proposed indebtedness relative to the only very general information on where the money was to be spent, “and other public infrastructure”. Also, because of the failure to provide information on whether there were any existing similar bonds in place.
Measure V
City of Berkeley – Sales Tax Measure
Shall the measure levying a 0.5% sales tax in Berkeley, increasing the total sales tax rate in the City to 10.75%, estimated to generate $9,000,000 to $10,000,000 annually, with proceeds placed into the General Fund for general City uses, including but not limited to sustaining fire, police and 911 dispatch services, youth and senior services, and community programs, until ended by the voters, with independent audits, be adopted?
Vote Required: 50%+1
Criteria:
1-Intent and structure of the tax (i.e. a % or rate for a sales or transfer tax, or a $ per parcel or square foot for a parcel tax).
2- Amount of tax generated per year and the duration of the tax.
3- Is this a Special or General tax? (The more specific it’s described, so that one can easily figure which it is, the more credit they get).
4- Where is the money specifically going? (particularly if a special tax).
5-Is there an existing or similar tax already in place? If so, that tax information should be included.
****** Extraneous language unrelated to the matter (-1 point )
Score: 4.5
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because 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. But generally, this measure provides more straightforward and accurate information than most local ballot measures.
Measure W
City of Berkeley – Charter Amendment Measure
Shall the measure amending the City Charter to reduce candidate filing fees; eliminate signatures in lieu of filing fee process; eliminate certain personal information from candidate statements; clarify and revise initiative, referendum and recall processes; amend election timelines for filling Mayor and Councilmember vacancies; increase the maximum amount from the public campaign financing fund for administration and enforcement from $250,000 to $400,000 per four-year election cycle; and make other changes be adopted?
Required Vote: 50%+1
Criteria:
1-Intent of the Measure and the duration.
2-Are there any financial effects if this measure passes? If so- how much?
3- If this passes, what or who will this measure specifically affect?
4-Does the measure deal with more than 1 issue? (Measures should deal with one or closely related subjects.)
5- What is the current situation that would remain if this measure does not pass?
*****Extraneous language unrelated to the matter which could be considered as deceptive to the voter.(-1 point).
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. There are also too many subjects and city processes being covered, with the worrisome concluding line of “make other changes.”. There is also little explanation regarding the financial impacts from the change other than increasing the maximum amount from the public campaign financing fund. Presumably this is money already dedicated to that program. More clarity could have been provided to the voters regarding the benefits or need for the change to the city charter.
Measure X
City of Berkeley Rent Ordinance Measure
Shall the measure to amend the Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Just Cause Ordinance by making most rent control and registration exemptions inapplicable to units that were not exempt when the current tenancy began; allowing modification or waiver of fees for subsidized units owned or leased by nonprofits; changing the annual registration deadline; limiting annual rent increases to ten percent; and allowing tenant associations in smaller properties, be adopted?
Required Vote: 50%+1
Criteria:
1-Intent of the Measure and the duration.
2-Are there any financial effects if this measure passes? If so- how much?
3- If this passes, what or who will this measure specifically affect?
4-Does the measure deal with more than 1 issue? (Measures should deal with one or closely related subjects.)
5- What is the current situation that would remain if this measure does not pass?
*****Extraneous language unrelated to the matter which could be considered as deceptive to the voter.(-1 point).
Score: 2.5
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because of the lack of clarity as to why the measure was needed. It is not clear what problem is being solved by the proposed changes. The exemptions language is confusing There is also no explanation regarding the financial impacts from the change. More clarity could have been provided to the voters regarding the benefits or need for the change to the Berkeley Rent Ordinance.
Measure Y
City of Berkeley – Initiative – Arts Tax Measure Amendment Measure
Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax to fund grants for performing arts organizations, art projects, art organization operational and programmatic expenses and capital projects, community festivals, and administrative costs, with oversight by the City’s Civic Arts Commission, at a rate of $0.07 per square foot of improvements, estimated to generate approximately $6,300,000 annually and $84,800,000 over its twelve-year duration, be adopted?
Vote Required: 50%+1
Criteria:
1-Intent and structure of the tax (i.e. a % or rate for a sales or transfer tax, or a $ per parcel or square foot for a parcel tax).
2- Amount of tax generated per year and the duration of the tax.
3- Is this a Special or General tax? (The more specific it’s described, so that one can easily figure which it is, the more credit they get).
4- Where is the money specifically going? (particularly if a special tax).
5-Is there an existing or similar tax already in place? If so, that tax information should be included.
****** Extraneous language unrelated to the matter (-1 point )
Score: 4.6
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because of a lack of clarity as to whether this is a new tax or an amendment to an existing tax. The Measure’s title says Amendment Measure. But the text says, “creating a special parcel tax”. But generally, this measure provides more straightforward and accurate information than most local ballot measures.
Measure Z
City of Berkeley – Initiative – Public Bank Measure
Shall the measure creating a special parcel tax to capitalize and support a public bank to fund investments in. affordable housing, green energy/infrastructure and small businesses, at rates of $0.06/square foot of residential improvements and $0.09/square foot of non-residential improvements, estimated to generate approximately $9,200,000 the first year and $58,300,000 over its six-year duration, with funds subject to review, allocation and approval by the City Council and regular audits, be adopted?
Vote Required: 50%+1
Criteria:
1-Intent and structure of the tax (i.e. a % or rate for a sales or transfer tax, or a $ per parcel or square foot for a parcel tax).
2- Amount of tax generated per year and the duration of the tax.
3- Is this a Special or General tax? (The more specific it’s described, so that one can easily figure which it is, the more credit they get).
4- Where is the money specifically going? (particularly if a special tax).
5-Is there an existing or similar tax already in place? If so, that tax information should be included.
****** Extraneous language unrelated to the matter (-1 point )
Score: 4.2
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because of a lack of clarity as to how it would work and the fact that the measure states that the funds, and approval are subject to review by the City Council, which is normally acceptable, but it creates ambiguity as to the measure’s limits of activity. Is it to be a physical bank or merely a funding source for the stated purposes? It is not revealed in the ballot language that Measure Z will be subject to a CPI adjustment. This is a serious breach of public ethics because it can significantly increase the cost to taxpayers over time.
Measure AA
City of Berkeley – Initiative – Soda Tax Measure
Shall the measure replacing the City’s $0.01per fluid ounce general tax on the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages with a $0.02 per fluid ounce special tax to fund public health, nutrition, and drinking water accessibility programs by nonprofits, the City, or Berkeley Unified School District, retaining current exemptions for small retailers, milk products, baby formula, alcoholic beverages, and medical and weight-loss products, estimated to generate approximately $2,200,000 annually, until repealed by the voters, be adopted?
Vote Required: 50%+1
Criteria:
1-Intent and structure of the tax (i.e. a % or rate for a sales or transfer tax, or a $ per parcel or square foot for a parcel tax).
2- Amount of tax generated per year and the duration of the tax.
3- Is this a Special or General tax? (The more specific it’s described, so that one can easily figure which it is, the more credit they get).
4- Where is the money specifically going? (particularly if a special tax).
5-Is there an existing or similar tax already in place? If so, that tax information should be included.
****** Extraneous language unrelated to the matter (-1 point )
Score: 4.4
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because there are so many alleged recipients of the fairly modest tax proceeds that it seems unlikely that all could be benefited in a meaningful way. The tax is described as a general tax in the first line and a special tax in the second line. Presumably one of those statements is incorrect. The claim that the tax would remain until “repealed 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. It is not revealed in the ballot language that Measure AA will be subject to a CPI adjustment. This is a serious breach of public ethics because it can significantly increase the cost to taxpayers over time.nsfer Tax
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