Smart Voter
Santa Clara County, CA November 3, 1998 General
Measure X
Extension of Utility Tax if Annexed
Rancho Rinconada

678 / 55.7% Yes votes ...... 539 / 44.3% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Infomation shown below: Summary | Impartial Analysis | Arguments |
In the event that the unincorporated area of Santa Clara County, known as "Rancho Rinconada" (as more specifically described in the full ballot measure), is annexed to the City of Cupertino, shall the city's existing utility users excise tax, imposed on electric, gas, and telephone users throughout the city at a rate of 2.4% of the monthly bills for said utility services (subject to an exemption for senior citizens) be extended to this area?
Summary:
See the Rancho Rinconada Fact Sheet from the City of Cupertino for answers to frequently asked questions:
  • Why do we need to vote on these two taxes?
  • Are these new taxes?
  • Can we vote "no" on the utility tax and/or the storm drainage fee and still be annexed to the city of Cupertino?
  • Is anyone in Cupertino exempt from paying these taxes?
  • How much, on the average, does a household pay for the utility tax each year?
  • Is this amount likely to increase?
  • How is the storm drainage service fee billed?
  • I currently pay a County Lighting Service Area (CLSA) service charge on my tax bill. Will I have to continue paying this fee if my property is annexed to Cupertino?
  • The election process seems quite cumbersome, with one ballot measure at the polls and the other mailed. Why can't these two measures be combined so we only need to vote once?
  • If more than 50 percent of the voting residents vote to pay the utility users tax and 51 percent of the property owners vote for the storm drainage fee, what are the next steps and how long will it take the City to annex the Rancho Rinconada area?
  • Last year, I sent in a card indicating I would be willing to be annexed to Cupertino and to pay the requisite fees and taxes. Do I need to vote during the election and on the mail-in ballot if I've already given you my yes vote?
  • If I have more questions, where can I go to get answers?

Impartial Analysis from the City Attorney
The City of Cupertino currently imposes a utility users excise tax on its residents at the rate of 2.4% of the monthly bills (electric, gas and telephone). The City Council of the City of Cupertino has gone on record as opposing annexation of the Rancho Rinconada area unless the excise tax is extended to the new residents. In order to make certain that the tax would be extended to the new residences, the Council has opted to put this measure on the ballot. The tax would not be effective until annexation of the Rancho Rinconada area is complete. The full text of the ordinance extending the utility users excise tax is available for review in the Cupertino City Clerk's Office.


CHARLES T. KILIAN
City Attorney

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Ordinance 1798. If you desire a copy of the ordinance, please call the election official''s office at (408) 777-3223 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

   Events

Public Hearings: Storm Drain Service Fee 6:45 p.m. Monday, November 2, 1998
General Links

Rancho Rinconada Informational Update August 21, 1998
from the City of Cupertino

City of Cupertino Community Development Department
If you have questions about the annexation, call the Cupertino Community Development Department at 777-3308 or e-mail planning@cupertino.org.

City of Cupertino Home Page
News and Analysis

The Cupertino Courier

Suggest a link related to this contest
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Arguments For Measure X
One of the most common questions asked about annexation is, "will my taxes go up?" If this refers to property taxes, the answer is NO. That's because property taxes are governed by Prop 13 and are independent of annexation. If we annex, some other feesand taxes go up, and some go down. For the "Rancho Pocket" (Barrington Bridge, Loree Estates and Rancho Rinconada) the changes will mean a slight increase amounting to about $2 to $3 per month for most residents. If you are over 65 years of age, you can receive an exemption from some part of even this modest increase.

Here's an example of what the typical person might expect:

- $14.28County Lighting Service Assessment fee eliminated

- $11.88*Savings on garbage collection fees

+ $12.00Cupertino Storm Drainage fee added

+ $37.44**Cupertino Utility Tax of 2.4% on your utility and phone bill.

+ $23.28 per year net increase. That's just $1.94 per month!

If you want annexation, you MUST vote yes on Measure X, agreeing to pay this small amount once annexed. Vote yes on Measure X to get what most other residents of California already enjoy: local, city government.

  • $11.88 is based on an two-can service. Your actual savings may be more or less.
  • *$37.44 is based on a $100 utility and $30 phone bill each month. Your actual tax may be higher or lower, but will be 2.4% of your phone, gas and electricity charges.

    MARC AUERBACH Resident, Rancho Pocket Rancho Pocket Annexation Committee

(No arguments against Measure X were submitted)

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Created: February 16, 1999 18:55
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