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Santa Clara County, CA August 27, 2013 Election
Measure A
Continuation of the tax in support of libraries
Santa Clara County Library District Joint Powers Authority

parcel tax - 2/3 Approval Required
Unofficial Final Results: 267/267 Precincts reporting

Pass: 44780 / 81.4% Yes votes ...... 10242 / 18.6% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Information shown below: Yes/No Meaning | Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Continuing the same tax rates currently levied by Santa Clara County Library District Joint Powers Authority Communities Facilities District Number 2005-1; to provide up-to-date book collections/research materials; children's reading programs; bookmobile services for seniors/the disabled; library hours; qualified librarians and other general library services/materials, shall Library Joint Powers Authority of Santa Clara County Community Facilities District Number 2013-1 levy a special tax, and shall an annual appropriations limit be established at $6,200,000, with all money from each community used for its local library and no money for Sacramento, all as specified in Resolution No. 13-02?

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote on this measure means:
A "yes" vote is a vote to approve a special tax on parcels within the Library Joint Powers Authority of Santa Clara Community Facilities District No. 2013-1.

A NO vote on this measure means:
A "no" vote is a vote not to approve the special tax.

Impartial Analysis from Santa Clara County Counsel
California law permits a local agency to establish a community facilities district to finance certain public facilities, services and incidental expenses by levying a special tax on parcels of land within the district if the tax is approved by two-thirds of the voters voting in an election.

The Governing Board of the Library Joint Powers Authority of Santa Clara County proposes a maximum special tax of $33.66 per year for single-family residential, condominium and townhouse units, and corresponding amounts for other properties within the Library Joint Powers Authority of Santa Clara Community Facilities District No. 2013-1 (the District). This special tax would be imposed for 20 years and would replace an existing special tax that expires on June 30, 2015. A vote for the special tax is also a vote to establish the District's annual appropriations limit at $6,200,000.

If approved by the voters, Measure A will finance library services, library facilities and incidental expenses, in all of the unincorporated area within the County of Santa Clara, as well as the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill and Saratoga.

A "yes" vote is a vote to approve a special tax on parcels within the Library Joint Powers Authority of Santa Clara Community Facilities District No. 2013-1.

A "no" vote is a vote not to approve the special tax.

Orry P. Korb
County Counsel
By:
/s/ Susan B. Swain
Lead Deputy County Counsel

  Official Information

Santa Clara County Library

News and Analysis

San Jose Mercury News

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Arguments For Measure A
Vote Yes on A -- protect our library programs, book collections, and open hours, without raising tax rates!

Yes on A requires that EVERY library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, and Saratoga benefits.

  • Every dollar raised in your city goes directly to your local library.

For the past 20 years, voters like you have approved funding for our libraries, which will expire unless renewed. Measure A is NOT a new tax, and the tax rate will NOT increase. YES on A simply extends this important library funding.

Without Measure A, the education of 100,000+ community college students, school and preschool children attending library programs each year will suffer. Local libraries provide an educational place for kids after school -- keeping them off the streets.

With school libraries open only a few days per week, public libraries are now more essential than ever in supporting our children's quality education.

  • YES on A purchases new books and up-to-date research materials
  • YES on A continues summer reading programs
  • YES on A supports children's storytimes
  • YES on A keeps libraries clean and safe

Many seniors on fixed incomes rely on libraries because buying books is just too expensive.

  • YES on A continues the award-winning bookmobile program that brings books to senior centers, preschools, disabled children and rural, isolated, and unincorporated areas of the county.

YES on A also helps provide free wireless access, adult literacy programs and resume writing/computer classes that help people get jobs.

Measure A is subject to strong fiscal accountability provisions, guaranteeing all funds are spent as promised:

  • Annual, independent audits
  • Public review of expenditures to monitor spending

Join teachers, parents, librarians, community leaders and local business owners in voting YES on A to maintain funding for local libraries! Visit http://SaveOurLibraries2013.org to volunteer.

/s/ Carl Guardino
President and CEO, Silicon Valley Leadership Group

/s/ Nancy Howe
County Librarian/Director, Santa Clara County Library District

/s/ Evelia Morales Rosso
Teacher of 30+ years, Gilroy Unified School District and Morgan Hill Unified School District

/s/ William D. "Denny" Weisgerber
2012 Veteran of the Year, Milpitas Senior Advisory Commissioner and Fmr. Mayor, City of Milpitas, Milpitas Police Athletic League President

/s/ Gilbert Wong
Chair, Santa Clara County Library District Joint Powers Authority/ Vice-Mayor, City of Cupertino

(No arguments against Measure A were submitted)


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