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MEASURE A OVERVIEW
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RECOMMENDATION
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Summary
On July 9, 2013, the Stockton City Council unanimously approved placing a three-quarter (3/4) cent sales tax on the November 5, 2013 ballot. The City Council adopted Resolution 2013-07-09-1601 calling, giving notice, and requesting consolidation of a Special Election.
The proposed sales tax appeared on the ballot for voter consideration as Measure A. As a general tax, voters had to approve it with a majority vote before it went into effect. Measure A was subsequently approved with a majority vote of 51.86%. The sales tax increase went into effect on April 1, 2014. The City Council certified the election results on December 3, 2013.
On the same ballot, voters also approved Measure B, a non-binding advisory measure, to help communicate priorities and express an opinion about how the additional tax money should be used. Measure A implemented a general tax that provides funding for law enforcement, crime prevention services and other essential city services, including implementation of the City’s Marshall Plan on Crime and bankruptcy recovery.
Citizens’ Advisory Committee
As specified in the By-Laws, the Committee’s authorized activities include:
• Meet at least semi-annually
• Review expenditures of
Measures A proceeds as attested in the CAFR to ensure proceeds expended for purposes set forth in Measures A and B;
• Inform the public about their findings;
• Review progress towards peak general fund revenues as defined by Measure A;
• Review the Council’s findings regarding sunset provisions;
• Provide an annual report to the City Council at a public meeting which addresses the following;
o Provides a statement on the City’s compliance with the purposes of the tax proceeds;
o Reports on their review of tax expenditures to verify that the amounts collected were expended for the purposes set forth in the ballot measure;
o Reviews the City’s progress towards implementing the Marshall Plan on crime, including the progress of police hires; and
o Provides a summary of the Committees activities.
Reviewing the proposed budget for the use of Measure A funds, and provide comments to the Council in a public meeting; and
• Make any recommendations to the City Council.
Attachment A - Measure A Ordinance 2013-07-09-1601
Attachment B - Measure A Citizens Advisory Committee By-Laws