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Los Angeles County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
Measure B
Utility User Tax Modernization
City of Norwalk
Ordinance - Majority Approval Required

Pass: 7,545 / 70.19% Yes votes ...... 3,204 / 29.81% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Results as of Nov 25 1:07pm, 100% of Precincts Reporting (52/52)
Information shown below: Impartial Analysis |

Without raising current tax rates, shall an ordinance be adopted modernizing the City's utility users tax ordinance to require equal treatment of taxpayers by ensuring the tax applies regardless of technology used; exempting seniors, low-income disabled/blind residents; funding current gang prevention, youth, after-school, senior and disabled programs; neighborhood patrols/school crossing guards, pothole repairs, and other general services; subject to financial audits, local control of funds/no rate increase without voter approval?

Impartial Analysis from STEVEN L. DORSEY,
Norwalk City Attorney
Measure B was placed on the ballot by the Norwalk City Council and would affirm, continue and amend the City's existing Utility Users Tax ("UUT") to make it clear that it applies to both older and newer communication technologies and equally treats all users of communications services regardless of the technology they use.

Background

The UUT is a tax levied on users of gas, electricity and telecommunications services in the City. UUT revenues are used to finance such general city services as police protection, street repair, parks, libraries and other local services. These funds cannot be taken away by the State.

The UUT was first adopted by the Norwalk City Council and later approved by the voters at an election held in 2003. The original ordinance adopted by the City Council applied the UUT to a broad range of telecommunications services. The voters, by approving that ordinance, indicated their intent to apply the UUT to a broad range of telecommunications services.

The City's UUT ordinance, like those of most California cities with telecommunications UUT's, was written before new telecommunications technologies became available. The City's UUT ordinance was also written before changes in interpretation of federal law. In response to these new technologies and changes in interpretation of federal law and to protect the 2003 voters' intent, this measure would update the language of the UUT to ensure it continues to apply to a broad range of telecommunications users.

Measure B

  • Would not increase the current tax rate of 5.5%.
  • Would modernize the City's UUT and treat all users of telecommunications services equally by including new and future technologies and applying the UUT to all intrastate, interstate and international communications services, regardless of the technology used to provide such services.
  • Would affirm the general intent of the voters at the 2003 election that the UUT apply to a broad range of telecommunications services.
  • Would preserve existing exemptions for low-income seniors and disabled persons.
  • Would require annual audits to confirm the UUT is properly collected and spent by the City.
  • Would reorganize and update the UUT administration and collection procedures.
  • Would not affect the current UUT on electricity and gas.

Measure B requires a majority vote for approval. A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of adopting the revised UUT ordinance. A "no" vote will reject the proposed amendments to the UUT ordinance and continue the UUT in its current form.

  
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