Utility user taxes are specifically authorized by existing State law. In 1993, Ordinance No. 740 was adopted by following the requirements of the law at that time. Ordinance No. 740 imposed the utility user tax. Later court decisions require taxes such as those imposed by Ordinance No. 740 to be approved by the voters. This measure will allow voters to decide whether or not to have the City continue to collect and impose the tax.

The proposed Measure, if passed by the voters, would do the following:

Confirm the enactment of Ordinance No. 740 which imposed the utility user tax, currently at 5%.

Authorize the continued collection and expenditure of utility user taxes for any general municipal purpose such as fire service, general city administration, law enforcement, recreation services, street repairs, youth and senior citizen services, etc.

Not allow an increase in the utility user tax rate without a vote of the people, but would allow for a decrease in the tax rate by the City Council.

Allow the City Council, by Resolution, to continue to establish one or more classes of persons or utility services who are exempt from the tax.

If the Measure fails, the utility user tax could no longer be collected and the funds from the tax would be unavailable for City services.

s/GREGORY G. DIAZ
CITY ATTORNEY

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Ordinance No. 740, Measure A on the ballot. If you desire a copy of the Ordinance or Measure, please call the City Clerk's Office at (714) 379-9222 extension 240, and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

Now, a recent decision by the California Supreme Court requires that we submit this tax to the voters for approval.

Since the utility tax has generated the financial support that Stanton needed to become a city with increasing property values, lower crime rate, and a renewed sense of community pride, we strongly recommend a Yes vote on Measure A.

Please consider these important facts:

Measure A is not a new tax; it simply continues the funding we already have in place. In fact, Measure A prohibits the City Council from raising this tax beyond the current 5%.

Several years ago the Council lowered the utility tax by 1% and has and will continue to review it each year.

Without the utility tax, the City of Stanton will lose nearly $1.7 million dollars, or 15% of all its funding for city services.

Below is a short list of the benefits we as Stanton residents have gained from the wise investment of our utility tax over the last nine years.

A drop in crime of nearly 70%

Outstanding police and fire protection

Increased property values and attraction of new businesses

Gang intervention programs

Special Senior Citizen programs

Anti-graffiti programs

Residential and commercial code enforcement

Beach Boulevard clean up

Curbs, sidewalks, gutters, and streets repaired

Let's not lose the momentum of nine years of positive accomplishments and the potential for further growth and prosperity.

On Tuesday, November 6th, vote Yes on Measure A for the CONTINUATION of the utility user tax to preserve and protect our Stanton!

s/William Estrada, Mayor

s/Brian Donahue, Mayor Pro Tem

(No arguments against Measure A were submitted)