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Smart Voter
Humboldt County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Measure Z
Sales Tax
County of Humboldt

Majority Approval Required

Pass: 20673 / 55.9% Yes votes ...... 16279 / 44.1% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Nov 4 11:42pm
Information shown below: Official Information | Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

HUMBOLDT COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY/ESSENTIAL SERVICES MEASURE. To maintain/improve essential services, such as 24-hour sheriff's patrols; 9-1-1 emergency response; crime investigation/prosecution; drug/illegal marijuana growhouse enforcement/prevention; services for abused children/mentally ill; rural fire protection; road repairs; and other County services, shall County of Humboldt pursuant to County Ordinance No. 2517 enact a 1/2% sales tax, for five years, all revenue for the County, none for the State of California, with annual audits and public review?

Official Sources of Information

Impartial Analysis
A YES vote on Measure Z will approve the adoption of an Ordinance enacting a county-wide transactions and use ("sales") tax within the County of Humboldt (the "County") of 0.5% (one-half percent tax) for five years. California law allows the County to enact local sales taxes within their jurisdictions with voter approval, as long as the combined County and city taxes do not exceed 2%. A 0.5% tax is the equivalent of ½ cent on each dollar.

This sales tax is a general tax. Therefore, the County could use the money for any legal governmental purpose such as law enforcement, fire protection, 9-1-1 services, road repair and other programs and services that promote public safety and enhance the welfare of Humboldt County residents. By law, if enacted the State cannot seize or take any of these funds +all revenue generated is utilized for the benefit of Humboldt County constituents.

If approved by a majority of the voters, the sales tax will become effective on April 1, 2015. The additional tax will last for five years. At the end of five years, on March 31, 2020, the sales tax will expire.

If the Measure is approved, a citizens advisory committee will be established to make recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors as to the expenditure of funds derived from the tax. All funds are subject to annual, independent audits.

This Measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Supervisors.

 
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Arguments For Measure Z Arguments Against Measure Z
We will improve public safety and vital emergency services in Humboldt County by voting YES on Measure Z.

Our county budget has been hard hit by the recession, and Sacramento politicians have taken $286 million dollars from Humboldt County over the past 22 years. YES on Z keeps our tax dollars here in Humboldt County.

All Humboldt County community residents benefit from YES on Z:

YES on Z - Improves emergency response times. Today, many neighborhoods and rural areas have no sheriffs' deputies on night patrol, meaning it can take over an hour for a sheriff's deputy to respond to a call. Measure Z will help us reduce 911 response times by bringing back 24-hour sheriffs' patrols, ensuring a more timely response to calls about violent or property crimes.

YES on Z - Helps address Humboldt County's growing meth and hard drug problem by fighting drug-related crimes, targeting meth labs, and providing drug prevention and rehabilitation services.

YES on Z - Restores funding to rural ambulance services to provide life-saving care and emergency transportation throughout the County.

YES on Z - helps our volunteer fire departments work to protect life and property in Humboldt County, by supporting volunteers and providing the resources and training they need to better protect us.

YES on Z + helps victims and witnesses of child abuse by restoring protective and counseling services that have been severely reduced in recent years.

YES on Z + expires in 5 years and includes strong fiscal accountability, by requiring annual financial audits and public citizen oversight--ensuring funds are spent responsibly.

All revenue from Measure Z is for Humboldt County, with none for the State. Vote Yes on Measure Z to PROTECT EMERGENCY AND PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES for our families and communities.

/s/ Michael T. Downey, Humboldt County Sheriff

/s/ Elizabeth Smith, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods

/s/ Jimmy Smith, Humboldt County Supervisor (ret.)

/s/ Eleanor Sullivan 62-year Humboldt County resident and taxpayer

/s/ William F. Honsall III, Humboldt County Undersheriff

No arguments against Measure Z were submitted.


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Created: July 23, 2015 14:56 PDT
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