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Measure GG
City of Piedmont – Real Property Conveyance Tax Measure
Shall the measure, providing funding for City of Piedmont’s essential city services, such as police, fire, and emergency medical response; and maintenance of aging City buildings, parks, stormwater drains, roads and sidewalks, by increasing the real estate transfer tax from 1.3% to 1.75% to be more in line with neighboring cities and to generate approximately $1,500,000 annually in general tax revenue until ended by 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: 4.5
Comments: The score was lowered from the maximum of five because it is misleading to say that the proceeds may go to the popular listed topics of parks, storm drains, police, fire, etc. This is a general tax, the proceeds of which can go to any city expense, and none may go to the listed recipients of the proceeds. The claim that the tax would remain until “ended by voters” is deceptive because it implies there is a mechanism within the measure allowing for a public opportunity to terminate the tax. Instead, there is no probable way to end this tax other than the difficult citizen initiative process. Effectively this tax would probably be permanent.
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