Press Back Browser Button to return to the City Index
Measure O
Newark USD Bond Measure
To update schools for 21st century learning, classrooms/ labs for science, technology, engineering, arts and math-instruction; technology infrastructure, HVAC, electrical/plumbing systems; and school security/ emergency preparedness; shall Newark Unified School District’s measure authorizing $205,000,000 in bonds at legal interest rates be adopted, with average levies of $50 per $100,000 assessed valuation while bonds are outstanding, generating approximately $14,000,000 annually, extending not increasing estimated tax rates, with citizen oversight, annual audits and no funds for administrators?
Vote Required: 55%
SCORE: 2.0
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 “no funds for
administrators”. Proposition 39 bonds are prohibited from being spent on
administrators’ salaries. Additionally, the statement that the measure does not
increase tax rates is deceptive. While the basic tax rate may not increase, the
repayment of bonds is an add-on to the tax obligation, which will inevitably
have to be paid by higher taxes. There is an implication that an existing
indebtedness will be extended, but the needed explanation is lacking.
Measure LL
City of Newark, Transient Occupancy Tax
To maintain local services/ facilities, such as: repairing potholes/ city streets; replacing seismically unsafe fire stations; maintaining neighborhood police patrols, 9-1-1 and emergency medical response/ fire protection; and for general government use; shall the City of Newark measure be adopted increasing the existing voter approved transient occupancy (hotel) tax from 10% to 14%, paid only by hotel/ lodging guests, until ended by voters, providing $2,100,000 more annually, that cannot be taken by Sacramento, including independent citizen oversight?
Vote Required: 50%+1
SCORE: 3.7
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because there was a lack of clarity as what the money would be spent on. As a general tax the proceeds could be spent on any legal purpose. Not one dollar needs to be spent on the listed items. The claim that the tax would remain until “ended by 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 by the difficult citizen initiative process. Effectively this tax increase would be permanent. The statement that the tax proceeds cannot be taken by the state is also deceptive because the state funds many aspects of city government, not vice versa.
Press Back Browser Button to return to the City Index
BALLOT WATCH DOG 