How to resolve AdBlock issue? The ordinance, which county staff proposed after relating the county government’s financial struggles to community members in a January series of visioning forums, will appear on the ballot as Measure “G,” according to Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley.
County staff have estimated that the tax, which would sunset after 10 years, would generate $4.5 million annually for the general fund.
County Counsel Anita Grant presented the final ordinance and resolution to the board during its Tuesday morning meeting.
She said the ordinance had received the go-ahead from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, formerly known as the Board of Equalization.
Changes Grant made to the ordinance included updating the document with the agency’s new name and adding an effective date in addition to an operative date.
“With those relatively minor changes, the ordinance would remain intact and ready to go,” she said.
She explained that if the board adopted the ordinance, it still would not go into effect unless voters approved the ballot measure in June.
Grant said the accompanying resolution to place the measure on the ballot had been reviewed by Fridley.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson asked the board to consider an updated version of the ballot question that added language stating that the funds generated also would be used for services for seniors and veterans.
The board accepted Huchingson’s changes to the ballot languages, with the revised ballot question to appear on the June ballot as follows under the heading, “County Measure ‘G’ – county of Lake’s recover from disaster – roads, safety, seniors, libraries”: “Shall the County Measure be adopted to add Article VII to Chapter 18 of the Lake County Code imposing a one and one-half percent (1.5%) transactions and use tax (sales tax) for a ten-year period, generating approximately $4.5 million annually, for unrestricted general revenue purposes to include roads, libraries, law enforcement, animal control, parks, museums, and services for seniors and veterans with all proceeds placed in the County’s General Fund?”
Grant told the board that parts of the ballot question’s language are dictated by state law.
During public comment, Cheryl Carr accused the county of not making any cuts before going for the sales tax.
In three separate votes, the board approved the ordinance, adopted the ballot question language and the resolution placing the measure on the June 5 ballot. Each vote was 4-0; Supervisor Jeff Smith was absent.
Fridley reported that arguments in favor or against Measure G must be typed and submitted to the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office no later than 5 p.m. Friday, March 16.
She said no argument shall exceed 300 words in length and no more than five signatures shall appear with any argument.
Fridley said that all arguments must be accompanied by the “Statement That Argument Is True And Correct” as required by Section 9600 of the CA Elections Code provided by the Registrar of Voters Office, stating the printed name and signature or printed names and signatures of the person or persons submitting it or, if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers.
The Registrar of Voters Office is located in Room 209 on the second floor of the Lake Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. Lakeport, telephone 707-263-2372.
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