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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Smart Voter
Humboldt County, CA February 5, 2008 Election
Measure A
Utility Users Tax
City of Arcata
Majority Approval Required

See Also: Index of all Measures
Information shown below: Arguments |

Shall the City of Arcata continue to impose a three percent (3%) Utility Users Tax (Resolution No. 078-21) on the use of utility services in the City, including gas, electric, water, wastewater, and communications services?

  
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Arguments For Measure A
Beginning in 1993, the residents of Arcata have paid a Utility Users Tax as a way to make up for the loss in General Fund revenue due to State funding cuts.

Voters in Arcata have approved the current Utility Users Tax three times since its inception. It is set to expire in November of 2008. Again, the City Council is unanimously asking the community to vote YES and continue this tax for another eight years.

Money generated from this tax is approximately $710,000, representing about 10% of the City's General Fund. When you consider whether or not the funds generated by the Utility Users Tax are important, consider the services it helps pay for:

  • The Recreation Division's educational, youth and adult sports programs;
  • Our neighborhood parks, the Ball Park, the Sports Complex, the Community Center and Redwood Park;
  • Enhanced police protection as a result of the Plaza Officer, Juvenile Diversion programs, and other community policing.
  • Safer streets by providing street sweeping, maintaining street lights and performing minor street repairs;
  • Economic development consistent with our small town values by helping to fund the Arcata Chamber of Commerce and the Arcata Main Street Program.

State Government continues to take money from cities and counties to fund State programs and the deficit. Therefore, the Utility Users Tax is the only means the City has of replacing the revenue that has been lost to the City and funding these and many other services that make Arcata a safer and more livable place.

Please join us in voting YES on the Utility Users Tax to fund eight more years of essential community services.

By: City Council, City of Arcata
/s/ Harmony Groves
/s/ Michael Machi
/s/ Paul Pitino
/s/ Alexandra Stillman
/s/ Mark Wheetley

(No arguments against Measure A were submitted)

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Created: March 21, 2008 14:53 PDT
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