City of Oakland Five-Year Parcel Tax Ballot Measure

FULL TEXT WHEREAS, the City of Oakland faces an unprecedented budget deficit in its General Purpose Fund due to impacts from the global, national, state, and regional recession; and WHEREAS, the General Fund is the primary source of funding for functions such as police, fire, parks and libraries; and WHEREAS, state and federal budget takeaways as well as declining local revenues put many of these vital City services and programs at risk of being eliminated; and WHEREAS, the City of Oakland has already made large cuts to essential services, eliminated hundreds of positions, and reduced employee compensation by 15% for almost all positions; and WHEREAS, as a result of investments made to reduce crime and violence in the City of Oakland, crime has declined three years in a row, and the City needs to stabilize funding so this progress continues; and WHEREAS, the City Council determines it is in the best interests of the City of Oakland to submit to the voters this proposed ordinance imposing a temporary 5year parcel tax for the purpose of protecting vital City services including public safety, youth violence prevention, library services, parks and recreation services, and street repair; and WHEREAS, at the general election of November 2, 1996, the voters of the State of California amended the state constitution, adding Article XIII C, which requires that all new or increased special taxes be submitted to the voters prior to becoming effective; now, therefore be it RESOLVED: That the City Council of the City of Oakland does hereby submit to the voters at the November 15, 2011 special election, an Ordinance, which reads as follows:

PART 1. GENERAL Section 1. PURPOSE

The City will use the proceeds of the special tax imposed under this Ordinance to pay for any costs and expenses related to or arising from restoring City: a. Police services and police technology b. Fire services c. Parks maintenance and recreational services d. Library services, including technology e. Youth violence prevention f. Street and infrastructure repair g. Senior services Section 2. FINDINGS

1. This Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq., as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity authorized herein may have a significant effect on the environment. 2. Nothing in this Ordinance is intended to preclude owners from recovering the tax from the occupant. Whether the occupant is charged depends on the occupancy agreement and the requirements of the City's Residential Rent Adjustment Program. (Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 8.22) Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

The tax imposed by this Ordinance shall become effective upon passage. Section 4. TERM OF TAX IMPOSITION

The taxes shall be imposed fiscal year 2011-2012 through, and including, fiscal year 2015-2016. For the fiscal year 2011-2012, the tax is imposed on November 15, 2011. Thereafter, tax is imposed on July 1 each year. The City shall place delinquencies on a subsequent tax bill. Section 5. SAVINGS CLAUSE

If any provision, sentence, clause, section or part of this Ordinance is found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality, illegality, or invalidity shall affect only such provision, sentence, clause, section or part of this Ordinance and shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections or parts of this

Ordinance. It is hereby declared that the City would have adopted this Ordinance had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid provision, sentence, clause, section or part thereof not been included herein. If any tax imposed by this Ordinance is found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the amounts, services, programs and personnel required to be funded from such tax shall be reduced proportionately by any revenues lost due to such unconstitutionality, illegality or invalidity.

Section 6.

REGULATIONS

The City Administrator is hereby authorized to promulgate such regulations as it shall deem necessary in order to implement the provisions of this Ordinance. Section 7. NO AMENDMENT

The tax rates may not be increased by action of the City Council without the applicable voter approval but the City Council may make any other changes to this Ordinance as are consistent with its purpose. Section 8. INDEPENDENT ANNUAL REVIEW

An annual review shall be performed by an independent firm to ensure accountability and proper disbursement of the proceeds in accordance with the objectives stated herein. In accordance with Government Code sections 50075.1 and 50075.3, the chief-fiscal officer shall prepare an annual report, setting forth the amount of funds collected and expended. Tax proceeds may be used to pay for the audit and annual report. Section 9. SPECIAL ACCOUNT

The City shall deposit into a special account all funds collected by the City from the taxes imposed by this Ordinance and shall appropriate and expend such funds only for the purposes authorized by this Ordinance. PART 2. Section 1. PARCEL TAX DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Ordinance, the "following terms shall be defined as set forth below: (A) "Additional shall mean an increase in the existing number.

(B) "Administrative Costs" shall mean overhead costs, including central services, departmental and/or divisional. (C) "Building" shall mean any structure having a roof supported by columns or, by walls and designed for the shelter or housing of any person, chattel or property of any kind. The word "Building" includes the word "structure." (D) "Family" shall mean one or more persons related by blood, marriage, domestic partnership, or adoption, who are living together in a single residential unit and maintaining a common household. Family shall also mean all unrelated persons who live together in a single Residential Unit and maintain a common household. (E) "Hotel" shall mean as defined by Oakland Municipal Code section 4.24.020. (F) "Multiple Residential Unit Parcel" shall mean a parcel zoned for a Building, or those portions thereof, which accommodates or is intended to contain two or more residential units. (G) "Non-Residential" shall mean all parcels that are not classified by this Ordinance as Residential Parcels, and shall include, but not be limited to, parcels for industrial, commercial and institutional improvements, whether or not currently developed. (H) "Occupancy" shall be as defined by Oakland Municipal Code section 4.24.020. (I) "Operator" shall be as defined by Oakland Municipal Code section 4.24.020. (J) "Owner" shall mean the Person having title to real estate as shown on the most current official assessment roll of the Alameda County Assessor. (K) "Parcel" shall mean a unit of real estate in the City of Oakland as shown on the most current official assessment roll of the Alameda County Assessor. (L) "Person" shall mean an individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, social club, fraternal organization, joint stock company, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, trustee, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit. (M) "Possessory Interest" as it applies to property owned by any agency of the government of the United States, the State of California, or any political subdivision thereof, shall mean possession of, claim to, or right to the

possession of, land or Improvements and shall include any exclusive right to the use of such and or Improvements. (N) "Residential Unit" shall mean a Building or portion of a Building designed for or occupied exclusively by one Family. (0) "Single Family Residential Parcel" shall mean a parcel zoned for single family residences, whether or not developed. (P) "Transient" shall mean any individual who exercises Occupancy of a hotel or is entitled to Occupancy by reason of concession, permit, right of access, license or other agreement for a period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or less, counting portions of calendar days as full days. Any individual so occupying space in a Hotel shall be deemed to be a Transient until the period of thirty (30) consecutive days has elapsed. Section 2. IMPOSITION OF PARCEL TAX

There is hereby imposed a tax on all Owners of parcels in the City of Oakland for the privilege of using municipal services and the availability of such services. The tax imposed by this Section shall be assessed on the Owner unless the Owner is by law exempt from taxation, in which case, the tax imposed shall be assessed to the holder of any Possessory Interest in such parcel, unless such holder is also by law exempt from taxation. The tax is imposed as of July 1 of each year on the person who owned the parcel on that date. The tax shall be collected at the same time, by the same officials, and pursuant to the same procedures as the one percent property tax imposed pursuant to Article XIII A of the California Constitution. Base Amount of Tax. The tax hereby imposed shall be set as follows subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5 below: (A) For owners of all Single Family Residential Parcels, the tax shall be at the annual rate of $80 per parcel. (B) For owners of all Multiple Residential Unit Parcels, the tax shall be at the annual rate of per Residential Unit of $54.66. (C) The tax for Non-Residential Parcels is calculated using both frontage and square footage measurements to determine total Single Family Residential Unit Equivalents (SFE). A frontage of 80 feet for a commercial/industrial parcel, for example, is equal to one (1) single family resident unit equivalent. (See matrix.) An area of 6,400 square feet for the commercial industrial parcel is equal to one (1) single family resident unit equivalent. The tax is the annual rate ($40.97) multiplied by the total number of Single Family Equivalents (determined by the frontage and square footage).

LAND USE CATEGORY Commercial/Institutional Industrial Public Utility Golf Course Quarry

FRONTAGE 80 100 1,000 500 1,000

AREA (SF) 6,400 10,000 100,000 100,000 250,000

Example: assessment calculation for a Commercial Institutional Parcel with a Frontage of 160 feet and an Area of 12,800 square feet: Frontage 160 feet + 80 = 2 SFE Area 12,800 square feet + 6,400 = 2 SFE 2 SFE + 2 SFE = 4 SFE 4 SFE x $40.97 = $163.88 tax (D) An Owner of An Undeveloped Parcel is exempt from this parcel tax if the owner can prove that the parcel was undeveloped for at least six months of the year in question. (E) The tax imposed by this Ordinance shall be imposed on each Hotel within the City as follows: 1. Residential Hotels Rooms in a Hotel occupied by individuals who were not Transients for 80% or more of the previous Fiscal Year shall be deemed Residential Units and the parcel on which they are located shall be subject to the Parcel tax imposed on Multiple Residential Unit Parcels. The remainder of the Building shall be subject to the applicable tax computed in accordance with the Single Family Residential Unit Equivalent formula set forth in Section 2(C). 2. Transient Hotels Notwithstanding the previous subsection, if 80% or more of the Operator's gross receipts for the previous Fiscal Year were reported as rent received from Transients on a return filed by the Operator in compliance With section 4.24.010 of the Oakland Municipal Code (commonly known as the Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax of the City of Oakland), such Hotel shall be deemed a Transient Hotel. The entire Building shall be deemed a Non-Residential Parcel, categorized as Commercial/Institutional, and shall be

subject to the applicable tax computed in accordance with the Single Family Residential Unit Equivalent formula set forth in Section 2(C), and the parcel tax imposed on Multiple Residential Units shall not apply. Section 3. THROUGHS EXEMPTIONS, REBATES, REDUCTIONS AND PASS-

(A) Low income household exemption. The following is exempt from this tax: an Owner of a single family residential unit (1) who resides in such unit and (2) whose combined family income, from all sources for the previous fiscal year, is at or below the income level qualifying as "very low income" for a Family of such size under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.A. Sections 1437 et. seq.,) for such fiscal year. Owners must apply for the exemption provided for in this section annually by petition to the Director of the Finance and Management Agency of the City of Oakland ("Director of Finance") in the manner and time set forth in procedures established by the Director of Finance. Such petitions shall be on forms provided by the Director of Finance and shall provide such information as the Director of Finance shall require, including, but not limited to, federal income tax returns and W-2 forms of owneroccupants eligible for this exemption. (B) Tenant pass-through. The City Council is directed to amend the Rent Adjustment Ordinance (O.M.C. 8.22.010, et seq. or successor ordinance) to provide that owners of rental units subject to the Rent Adjustment Ordinance may pass through one half of the tax and subsequent increases thereto (as set out in Part 3, Section 2(B) to their tenants in the form of a rent increase when the Base Amount of the Tax is imposed or increased. (C) Fifty percent reduction for affordable housing projects. Rental housing owned by nonprofit corporations and nonprofit-controlled partnerships for senior, disabled and low income households that are exempt from ad valorem property tax pursuant California Revenue and Taxation Code 214(f), (g) and (h) shall be liable for only 50% of the parcel tax. The exemption shall apply in the same proportion that is exempted from ad valorem property tax. (D) Rebate to tenants in foreclosed single family homes. The City will provide a rebate of one-half of the tax and subsequent increases thereto ("Foreclosure Rebate") to tenants in single family homes that have been foreclosed upon who have paid a passed through Parcel Tax. To qualify for the Foreclosure Rebate, a tenant must: (1) have lived in the unit before foreclosure proceedings commenced; and (2) be at or below the income level qualifying as "very low income" for a Family of such size under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.A. Sections 1437 et. seq.,) for such fiscal year. The City will provide the Foreclosure Rebate for every month that the tax was applied and the tenant occupied the unit The City will provide the Foreclosure Rebate at the end of each fiscal year, or when the tenant vacates the unit,

whichever is earlier. The City Administrator will promulgate regulations to effectuate this Part 3, Section 3 (D). Section 4. DECISIONS DUTIES OFTHE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE; NOTICE OF

It shall be the duty of the Director of the Finance and Management Agency ("Director of Finance") to collect and receive all taxes imposed by this Ordinance. The Director of Finance is charged with the enforcement of this Ordinance and may adopt rules and regulations relating to such enforcement.

Section 5. PENALTIES

EXAMINATION OF BOOKS, RECORDS, WITNESSES;

The Director of Finance or his/her designee is hereby authorized to examine assessment rolls, property tax records, records of the Alameda County Recorder and any other records of the County of Alameda deemed necessary in order to determine ownership of Parcels and computation of the tax imposed by this Ordinance. The Director of Finance or his/her designee is hereby authorized to examine the books, papers and records of any person subject to the tax imposed by this Ordinance for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of any petition, claim or return filed and to ascertain the tax due. The Director of Finance, or his/her designee is hereby authorized to examine any person, under oath, for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of any petition, claim or return filed or to ascertain the tax due under this Ordinance and for this purpose may compel the production of books, papers and records before him/her, whether as parties or witnesses, whenever s/he believes such persons have knowledge of such matters. The refusal of such examination by any person subject to the tax shall be deemed a violation of this Ordinance and of the Oakland Municipal Code and subject to any and all remedies specified therein. Section 6. COLLECTION OF TAX; INTEREST AND PENALTIES

The tax for the fiscal year 2011-2012 shall be levied and imposed at the full annual rate. At the option of the City, fiscal year 2011, 2012 taxes may be collected by hand billing or may be collected at the direction of the City by the Alameda County Tax Collector. Thereafter, the tax levied and imposed by this ordinance shall be due and payable on July 1 of each year, but it may be paid in two installments due no later than December 10 and April 10. The tax shall be delinquent if the City does not receive it on or before the delinquency date set forth in the notice mailed to the Owners address as shown on the most current assessment roll of the Alameda County Tax Collector; and

the tax shall be collected in such a manner as the City Council may decide. The City may place delinquencies on a subsequent tax bill. A one-time penalty at a rate set by the City Council, which in no event shall exceed 25% of the tax due per fiscal year, is hereby imposed by this ordinance on all taxpayers who fail to timely pay the tax provided by this Ordinance; in addition, the City Council may assess interest at the rate of 1% per month on the unpaid tax and the penalty thereon. Every penalty imposed and such interest as accrues under the provisions of this ordinance shall become a part of the tax herein required to be paid. The City may authorize the County of Alameda to collect the taxes imposed by this Ordinance in conjunction with and at the same time and in the same manner as the County collects property taxes for the City. If the City elects to authorize the County of Alameda to collect the tax, penalties and interest shall be those applicable to the nonpayment of property taxes. Section 7. COLLECTION OF UNPAID TAXES

The amount of any tax, penalty, and interest imposed under the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed a debt to the City. Any person owing money under the provisions of this Ordinance shall be liable to an action brought in the name of the City for the recovery for such amount. Section 8. REFUND OF TAX, PENALTY, OR INTEREST PAID MORE THAN ONCE; OR ERRONEOUSLY OR ILLEGALLY COLLECTED Whenever the amount of any tax, penalty, or interest imposed by this Ordinance has been paid more than once, or has been erroneously or illegally collected or received by the City it may be refunded provided a verified claim in writing therefore, stating the specific ground upon which such claim is founded, is filed with the Director of Finance within 1 (one) year of the date of payment. The claim shall be filed by the person who paid the tax or such person's guardian, conservator of the executor of her or his estate. No claim may be filed on behalf of other taxpayers or a class of taxpayers. The claim shall be reviewed by the Director of Finance and shall be made on forms provided by the Director of Finance. If the claim is approved by the Director of Finance, the excess amount collected or paid may be refunded or may be credited against any amounts then due and payable from the Person from who it was collected or by whom paid, and the balance may be refunded to such Person, is/her administrators or executors. Filing a claim shall be a condition precedent to legal action against the City for a refund of the tax.

BALLOT TITLE: A Proposed Ordinance Creating A Temporary Fiscal Emergency Special Parcel Tax To Restore City Fire And Police Services, Youth Violence Prevention, Park Maintenance And Recreational Services, Library And Senior Services, And Street And Infrastructure Repair

BALLOT SUMMARY: This measure would authorize the City of Oakland to impose a five-year "special" parcel tax. This is a "special" parcel tax because the City can use the tax revenue only for the following purposes specified in the measure: to fund the costs of restoring police and fire services, police technology, park maintenance and recreational services, library services, including technology, youth violence prevention, street and infrastructure repair, and senior services. An annual review is required to ensure the proper use of parcel tax revenue. The tax will be imposed through fiscal year 2015-2016. For each single family residential parcel, the parcel tax will be $80.00. For multiple unit residential parcels, the parcel tax will be $54.66 per unit. For non-residential parcels, the parcel tax will vary depending on the frontage and square footage of the parcel, based on the formula specified in Part 2, Section 2 (C) of the ordinance. An exemption from the parcel tax is available to qualifying low income households. Passage of this measure requires approval by two-thirds of the electorate. A "yes" vote will approve the parcel tax for the uses specified in the ordinance; a "no" vote will reject the parcel tax. Barbara a. Parker City Attorney

CITY ATTORNEY'S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE I This measure creates a five-year "special" parcel tax to address the fiscal needs of the City. A "special" tax is a tax that the City can use only for the purposes specified in the tax measure. The tax would be effective for fiscal year ("FY") 2011-2012 through FY 2015-2016. The tax rates in this measure comply with the California Constitution. The measure must be approved by twothirds of Oakland voters. Purpose of Tax The tax revenue may be used only to restore City: Police services and police technology Fire services Parks maintenance and recreational services Library services, including technology Youth violence prevention Street and infrastructure repair Senior Services The City Council is obligated to ensure that revenue generated by this special parcel tax is used only for the purposes specified above. The City Council has discretion to decide how to allocate the funds among the listed categories. Cost of Tax The tax will cost owner of a single family residential parcel $80.00 annually. Multiple unit residential parcels will be taxed at $54.66 per unit. The tax for nonresidential parcels will be based on frontage and square footage of the parcel, in accordance with the formula specified in Part 2, Section 2(C) of the ordinance. Hotels taxes will depend upon the percentage of transient occupancy, in accordance with the formula specified in Part 2, Section 2(E) of the ordinance. The ordinance directs City Council to amend the Rent Adjustment Ordinance to allow owners of rental units to pass through one-half of the tax to their tenants in the form of a rent increase. Tax Exemptions and Reductions The measure exempts the following: 1) Low Income Households: An owner who lives on the parcel in question and whose income qualifies the owner for public housing under federal law as a "very low income" individual.

844645-1

2) Undeveloped parcels: An, owner of an undeveloped parcel is exempt from the tax if the parcel was undeveloped for at least six months of the year. The measure reduces the tax as follows: 1) Affordable housing projects: Rental housing projects for senior, disabled and low-income households that are owned by nonprofits and exempt from ad valorem property tax are liable for only 50 % of the tax. 2) Rebates to tenants in foreclosed single family homes: The City will provide a rebate of one-half of the tax and any subsequent increases if a tenant (i) lived in the unit before foreclosure proceedings commenced; and (ii) is at or below the income considered "very low income" so that the tenant qualifies for public housing under federal law. Annual Review and Report This measure also requires an annual review by an independent firm. It further requires that the chief fiscal officer prepare an annual report stating the amount of funds the City has collected and expended. The measure authorizes the City to use tax proceeds pay the cost of the report.

Barbara J. Parker City Attorney

CITY AUDITOR'S IMPARTIAL FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE I

Measure I authorizes the City of Oakland to impose a temporary parcel tax on residents in the City of Oakland for five years, beginning fiscal year (FY) 2011-12 and ending FY 2015-16. The tax proceeds will be deposited into a special account and may be used to pay for any costs and expenses related to or arising from City: Police Services and Police technology Fire Services Parks and Recreational Services Library Services, including technology Youth Violence Prevention Street and infrastructure repair

The tax rates may not be increased by action of the City Council without the applicable voter approval but the City Council may make any other changes to this Ordinance as are consistent with its purpose. An annual review shall be performed by an independent firm to ensure accountability and proper disbursement of the proceeds in accordance with the objectives stated within the measure. The chief fiscal officer shall prepare an annual report, setting forth the amount of fund collected and expended. Tax proceeds may be used to pay for the audit and annual report. Under the proposed parcel tax increase, Single-Family Residential Parcels will incur an annual rate of $80 per parcel; Multiple-Family Residential Unit Parcels will incur an annual tax of $54.66 per unit; Non-Residential Parcels are calculated by multiplying the annual tax rate of $40.97 by the total number of Single Family Equivalents (determined by the frontage and square footage). Financial Impact Under the proposed new parcel tax, the City is projecting to receive $12,052,379 in parcel taxes for FY 2011-12, The parcel tax under each classification is shown below: Office of the City Administrator's Analysis # Units Per Single Family Residential Unit Equivalents 80,855 79,071 30,802 190,728

Classification Single-Family Multi-Family Non-Residential Total

No. of Parcels 80,855 16,723 8,129 105,707

Proposed Assessment FY 11-12 $80.00 $54.66 $40.97 -

Proposed Assessment FY 11-12 $6,468,400 $4,322,021 $1,261,958 $12,052,379

The total amount in parcel tax revenue projected for all five years is $60,261,894. However, the projected net revenue after exemptions and fees is $55,590,793, as illustrated below. Office of the City Administrator's Analysis Estimated Revenue prior to low income exemption, delinquency factor & Countv collection fee $12,052,379 $12,052,379 $12,052,379 $12,052,379 $12,052,379 $60,261,894

Net Estimated Revenue after exemptions & fees $11,118,159 $11,118,159 $11,118,159 $11,118,159 $11,118,159 $55, 590,793

Year 1 2 3 4 5

Fiscal Year FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 FY 2013-14 FY 2014-15 FY 2015-16 Total

In its analysis, the City Administration did not factor in taxes imposed on Residential Hotels and tax exemptions for Affordable Housing Projects and Foreclosed Single Family Homes. The City Administration did factor in low income exemptions, delinquencies and the county collection fee. Based on our analysis of the data provided by City staff, the projected revenues appear accurate. We relied on the best data available at this time, however actual results may vary from City staff estimates. s/COURTNEY A. RUBY, CPA, CFE City Auditor

Fair Share Parcel Tax

Oakland is making progress, and we need to keep moving forward. We can't afford to go back. Over the past five years; Oakland has cut more than $170 million in urgently needed services, eliminated 528 positions, and cut its budget by 25%. Measure I, for 25 cents per day, will provide $11 million a year for the next five years, and give Oakland the ability to recover from the worst recession since the depression. Measure I will: Restore longer-day services at senior centers Support public safety technology Add crews to fix potholes Restore park maintenance staff Support youth violence intervention programs And other urgently needed city services. This is the final step in the City's Fair Share Budget process. After tough decisions, painful cuts and employee give backs of an additional 9% on top of previous year contributions, we ask the community to vote yes on Measure I to prepare Oakland to be poised to take off when the economy recovers. A coalition of community advocates, business leaders, seniors, library patrons, parks supporters and Oaklanders from every district support the Measure. Oakland is beginning to make progress in many areas. Let's help keep moving forward.

Continuously asking Oaklanders to pay more taxes is not the solution to getting Oakland back on track. We say this tax is the wrong solution. Here we are again facing another regressive property tax of $80 per parcel, being told that the City's budget has been cut by 25% and that's why we should pay more taxes. There's nothing indicating these funds will be handled any more wisely or efficiently than the last parcel tax we agreed to. To this day we don't get what we were promised in 2004 under Measure Y, yet we still pay that tax. Proponents claim that this measure will restore or support numerous services and programs but the measure DOES NOT require any improvements and has no accountability. The money could easily, and legally, be used to pay for pensions or salaries that are currently bankrupting the City. It does nothing to address the City's structural problems, including a $450 million pension debt that the City has no plan on how to repay. Proponents should focus their time addressing the debt associated with our current pension system rather than asking Oaklanders to pay higher taxes. $80 is a lot of money ($400 over five years), particularly for homeowners who are on the brink of foreclosure, and others who can barely make their monthly rent payments. This is another tax-grab without proof that our tax dollars will be spent wisely or efficiently. Demand real reform; don't give the City another blank check. Vote NO.

This measure would add a new property tax of $80 per parcel in Oakland and has no accountability. This would bring the current fixed taxes to $820 annually representing a 27% increase on Oakland Specific Taxes. This tax doesn't take into account your income level or property value; and it can be passed onto renters. This is a regressive tax and should be defeated. There's NO guarantee that more money will translate into increased service levels. This measure doesn't include specifics about how your tax dollars will be used; it only includes a laundry list of things the tax "may be used for."

Oakland has the HIGHEST property tax rate in Alameda County. In 2008, Oakland homeowners paid $7,300 in property taxes on a home worth $500,000; the average in Alameda County was $6,300. Oakland's unemployment rate of 15% has led to thousands of foreclosures. In the last three years over 12,000 properties in Oakland have gone into foreclosure proceedings, with rates this high, it's unfathomable that homeowners be asked to pay more taxes. In fact, the authors of this tax themselves recognize the City of Oakland is being impacted by the Global, National, State, and Regional recession, yet they want to ask you to pay more taxes as if the recession has not impacted your checkbook.

What Oakland needs is structural change, change that can be achieved without increasing taxes; Government needs to do more with less just like everyone else in this down economy.

Let's not resort to quick fixes on the backs of struggling homeowners and renters. Let's, demand implementation of systems that show efficient use of resources, measure workloads and ensure accountability. We urge a NO Vote. This is another tax-grab without proof that our tax dollars are spent wisely or efficiently.

REBUTTAL (Draft 2 - 248 words) Check the facts, then join us in voting YES on Measure I the 25-cent, temporary measure to restore services.

We're voting YES on Measure I because it restores essential services like full-day senior centers, street repair, public safety, library and Iiteracv programs, and park maintenance. We're voting YES because it costs homeowners less than 25-cents per day, shares costs between landlords and tenants, assesses commercial properties based on square footage, and provides an exemption for low income families. We're voting YES because it requires the City to submit to annual reviews by an independent authority to ensure accountability, and it expires in 5 years. We're voting YES because it's part of the "Fair Share" budget, with all City employees contributing to retirement savings and taking cuts up to 10%.

This year's budget slashes bureaucracy and collapses departments while preserving as many frontline jobs as possible. Measure I means restoration of park maintenance, library and literacy programs, and full day activities at senior centers, plus other essential services. Oakland is already doing more with less: the City has cut 25% from its general fund over the past five Years, eliminated 528 positions, and put major reforms in place. We are a diverse coalition of people who love Oakland. We don't agree on everything, but we agree that this crisis demands a balanced approach, not a Tea-Party style, all-cuts approach. Join us in Voting YES on Measure I to keep Oakland moving forward.

MEASUREI
DeclarationofAuthor(s)ofArguments ArgumentinFavor 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. RebuttaltoArgumentinFavor 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. JeanQuanMayor AnthonyBattsChiefofPolice MarkHoffmannFireChief CarmenMartinezDirectorLibraryServices SusanMontauk IgnacioDeLaFuentePresidentProTempore DesleyBrooksViceMayor JillBroadhurstEastBayHousingAssociation,Directorof CommunityAffairsandAdvocacy JudithGhidinelliOaklandHomeowner JohnProtopappasOaklandBusinessOwner/Resident FrankCastroChair,GreaterRockridgeNCPC MariaJ.VermiglioSanAntonio,NCPC,Member&Senior MarleenSacksAttorney/PublicSafetyAdvocate GloriaJefferyChairofMacArthurNCPC MimiRohrMontclairNCPCViceChair LaurenceReidCityCouncilmember GordonDonLinkPastChairCommunityPolicingAdvisory Board PatriciaKernighanCityCouncilmember AlleneWarrenPastChairBeat35YNCPC DonnaGriggsMurphyChair,CityofOaklandCommissionon Aging

ArgumentAgainst

RebuttaltoArgumentAgainst