Measure H: Charter Amendment/Music, Publicity, Promotion?

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

Stanislaus County, CA

November 2, 1999 Election

Measure H
Charter Amendment/Music, Publicity, Promotion?
City of Modesto

6,656 / 35% Yes votes ...... 12,412 / 65% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Infomation shown below: Summary | Yes/No Meaning | Arguments | Full Text

Shall the Modesto City Charter be amended to eliminate the restriction on spending more than 5% of the City's property tax revenue in any one year for music, publicity and promotion?

Summary Prepared by the City Attorney:

The Modesto City Charter operates as a "constitution" for the City of Modesto. Section 200 of the Modesto City Charter sets forth the only limitation on the City's Charter powers. Section 200 prohibits the City from spending more than 5% of its property tax revenue in any one fiscal year for music, publicity and promotion. This prohibition is based on a similar provision in the California Government Code (Section 37110) which applies to general law cities. This prohibition was eliminated by the State Legislature in 1993. The measure would eliminate the restriction on spending for music, publicity and promotion and would give the City of Modesto the same power to spend money on those activities as currently enjoyed by general law cities in California.

s/Michael D. Milich
City Attorney

A YES vote of this measure means:: You should vote "YES" on this measure if you want to amend the Charter of the City of Modesto to eliminate the spending restriction for music, publicity and promotion.
A NO vote of this measure means:: You should vote "NO" on this measure if you want to reject this change.

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Arguments For Measure H

We appreciate what Modesto has to offer and want to promote this wonderful city through enhancement of cultural activities and the arts. These activities will attract tourism and enhance the financial viability of the city. Presently, the Charter limits the amount of funds the City Council can allocate for music, publicity and promotion to 5% of the property tax revenue. State law required general law cities to abide by this restriction until 1993 when it was repealed. Elimination of this restriction would provide City Council with the flexibility to authorize funds for improving, enhancing and enriching cultural and festival events in the City of Modesto. These projects could include funding for the McHenry Mansion, Modesto Symphony, Central California Art League and hosting international festivals. These events and projects promote, strengthen and preserve the cultural arts and enrich our daily lives.

s/Richard A. Lang
Mayor

(No arguments against Measure H were submitted)

Text for Measure H

CITY OF MODESTO CHARTER AMENDMENT MEASURE H

SECTION 200. GENERAL POWERS.

The City shall have the power to make and enforce all laws and regulations in respect to municipal affairs, subject only to such restrictions and limitations as may be provided in this Charter and in the Constitution of the State of California. It shall also have the power to exercise any and all rights, powers and privileges heretofore or hereafter established, granted or prescribed by any law of the State, by this Charter, or by other lawful authority, or which a municipal corporation might or could exercise under the Constitution of the State of California. The City shall have the power to expend such sum as the Council shall deem proper not to exceed five percent (5%) of the property tax levy in any one (1) fiscal year for music, publicity and promotion. The enumeration in this Charter of any particular power shall not be held to be exclusive of, or any limitation upon, this general grant of power.

Note: Any wording stricken would be deleted by this measure.

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Created: November 18, 1999 15:00
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