TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare, and return to the City Council for its consideration, a resolution revising the ballot question for the Measure A Transactions and Use (Sales) Tax extension language. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On July 16, 2019, the Mayor and City Council placed a measure on the ballot to ask voters whether they wish to extend the current Measure A sales tax (Attachment). After further review of the language, City staff recommend a change to the ballot question that would simplify the measure with the goal of making it clearer and more straightforward for voters. Given the nuances of Measure H (Los Angeles County homelessness services sales tax measure, approved in 2017) that will be applied to Long Beach between 2023 and 2027, any future extension of Measure H, and the Statewide cap on sales taxes, staff believe this slight change in wording is clearer, while still referring to the rate structure previously approved by the City Council. The revised language, set forth below, states clearly to voters the ultimate intent of charging up to the maximum of 1 percent. Given these reasons, City staff recommend the following wording changes:
“To maintain 911 emergency response services, police, fire, parks, improve water quality, repair streets, and maintain general services, shall a measure be adopted extending the City of Long Beach’s transactions and use (sales) tax beyond 2027, generating approximately $60 million annually, at a maximum rate of one cent (1%) per the measure until ended by voters, requiring a citizens’ advisory committee and annual independent audits, with all funds remaining in Long Beach?”
The requested Resolution will contain the revised ballot question, and will refer to the previously approved Ordinance describing the tax structure, recommended on July 2, 2019 and adopted by City Council Resolution RES-19-0107 on July 16, 2019.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber and by Budget...
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