3,550 / 67.1% Yes votes ...... 1,737 / 32.9% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote of this measure means:

A majority "yes" vote would allow the current $100 business license tax rate to remain in effect.

A NO vote of this measure means:

A "no" vote means that the current $100 business license tax would not continue.

The City estimates that the tax increment between $50 per year and $100 per year generates approximately $230,000 per year, which goes into the City's general fund for general government purposes, including capital improvements, in the City. The tax is collected through the annual business license process.

Because under the proposed measure, the tax revenue would be put into the City's general fund for general City government purposes, a majority vote of the City's voters voting in this election is required to approve the measure. Because the tax would be adopted by a vote of the people, the tax rate could not be increased except by another vote of the people.

For information about the City of Burlingame

City of Burlingame Fact Sheet on Measures O, P and Q

Approval of Measure P will confirm the community's desire to keep our Business License Tax for the City of Burlingame at the nominal fee of $100 per year. In 1992 the City Council increased the fee from $50 to $100 per year. At that time the courts had determined that it was not necessary to put such an increase to the voters. A recent court decision, for a case that has been in the court system for many years, indicates that a vote may be needed to sustain the Business License Tax. Therefore the Burlingame City Council felt it was prudent to place this measure before the electorate.

/s/ Joe Galligan
Burlingame Mayor and City Council Member

/s/ Mike Spinelli
Burlingame City Council Member and Past Mayor

/s/ Bud Harrison
Former Burlingame Mayor and Council Member

/s/ Don Lembi
Former Burlingame Mayor and Council Member

/s/ Sam Malouf
Burlingame Avenue Merchant

This ordinance is proposed by the City Council of the City of Burlingame and continues an increase in the general business tax rate from $50 per year to $100 per year.

Section 1. Section 6.08.020 is amended to read as follows:

6.08.020 License taxes

The following persons shall pay an annual license tax of $100:

a) Every person conducting or carrying on the business consisting of selling any goods, wares and merchandise or commodities, or services, or conducting or carrying on any profession, trade, occupation, calling or business not otherwise specifically taxed by this chapter.

b) Every person not having a fixed place of business within the city who engages in business within the city, including contractors.

c) Every person conducting a home occupation as defined by Section 25.08.350 of this code.

d) Every person conducting or carrying on the business of selling Christmas trees, except where such business is conducted in connection with another regularly established place of business for which a license has been issued.

Section 2. This ordinance shall be considered adopted on the date that the City Council declares the vote, and shall go into effect ten (10) days thereafter.