November 4, 2008 California Library Ballot Measures*
Berkeley
Berkeley Public Library G.O. Bond (Special Tax) Passed
Berkeley, CA Facilities 67.7% of Yes Vote*
Measure FF: Branch Library general obligation bond issue for $26 million:
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Clerk/Elections/Measure%20FF%20Library%20Bond.pdf
Berkeley Public Library Gann Override (for Special Tax) Passed
Berkeley Operations 76.9% of Yes Vote*
Measure HH: Increases the city's annual spending limit to accommodate previously approved taxes for parks, libraries and other services. Only a majority vote was required for passage:
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Clerk/Elections/Measure%20HH%20GANN%20Limit.pdf
Fresno, Coalinga & Huron
Fresno County Public Library &
Coalinga-Huron Library District Sales Tax (Special Tax) Failed
Fresno County, CA Operations & Facilities 62.4% of Yes Vote
1/8th of 1% Sales Tax - Fresno County Sales Tax Measure “L” is an amendment to Measure “B” originally passed in 1998; currently 1/8 of one percent. Measure “L” seeks support for a one-fourth of one percent sales tax over 16 years to supplement funding for public library services, upgrades and improvements. The current sales tax will sunset in March 31, 2013. Library facility improvements in the County will not take place or will be delayed since the measure did not pass.
Gilroy
Santa Clara County Library G.O. Bond (Special Tax) Passed
Gilroy, CA Facilities 68.1% Yes Vote
The City of Gilroy has passed Measure F, a General Obligation Bond, for $37 million: “To replace the overcrowded, outdated Gilroy Library building with a larger library that meets current earthquake safety standards, located near public transit, City Hall, and the Senior Center, provide services for a growing population, and accommodate double the number of library books/materials.” If not passed the Santa Clara County Library would have had to relocate the Gilroy Library to a leased commercial space. Over $1.7 million in repairs to the current 1974 facility are not feasible.
Hemet
Hemet Public Library Utility Users Tax (General Tax) Failed
Hemet, CA Operating 45.5% Yes Vote
The measure would have raised funds to support all vital operations of city services including the library. The User Utility Tax would have prevented cuts and would have restored vital services particularly in the areas of Police, Fire, Library, and Public Works. Since the measure did not pass, City departments will be asked to cut 15% of their budgets. For Police and Fire, this may result in losing police officers, firefighters, and the possible closure of at least one fire station. For the Library, it may mean additional closure of hours and the possible layoff of at least 1.5 FTE positions.
Lemon Grove
San Diego County Library G.O. Bond (Special Tax) Passed
Lemon Grove School District Facilities 71.9% Yes Vote
This ballot measure is a general obligation bond measure sponsored by the Lemon Grove School District (thereby only requiring a 55% “Yes” vote to be approved) that, will fund the construction of a joint use school-public library facility which when completed will be operated by the San Diego County Library.
Martinez
Contra Costa Library G.O. Bond (Special Tax) Passed
Martinez, CA Facilities 68.4% Yes Vote
Measure H: Establishes a $30 million bond program repayable with property taxes to improve parks, playgrounds, fields, replace Rankin Pool and expand the library ($2 million).
City Information sheet:
http://cityofmartinez.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=5515
League of Women Voters:
http://www.smartvoter.org/2008/11/04/ca/cc/meas/H/
Palo Alto
Palo Alto City Library G.O. Bond (Special Tax) Passed
Palo Alto, CA Facilities 69.5% Yes Vote
The purpose of the ballot measure is to update three of the system’s five branches. It will replace the existing Mitchell Park Library and adjacent Community Center facilities with one joint use facility. The library square footage will increase from less than 10,000 at the current branch to approx. 37,000 square feet of the joint use facility. It will totally renovate the Main Library and expand it by about 4,000 square feet to add four small group study rooms and a new wing containing a program room and public restrooms. It will also renovate the Downtown branch. The language of the measure (Measure N) as it appeared on the ballot is below:
"LIBRARY FACILITIES, COLLECTIONS, SAFETY IMPROVEMENT BOND. To provide additional space to expand library collections, add new children’s and group program areas, replace outdated lighting, provide modern ventilation and air conditioning systems, ensure seismic safety and enhance disabled access, shall the City of Palo Alto issue bonds up to $76,000,000 to construct a new energy-efficient Mitchell Park Library and Community Center, expand and renovate Main Library, and renovate Downtown Library, with annual audits and independent citizen oversight?”
Santa Paula
Blanchard/Santa Paula Public
Library District Gann Override (for Special Tax) Passed
Santa Paula, CA Operating 67.4% Yes Vote
Revenue spending (Gann) Appropriations Limit Increase Request: Measure "L" reads: Pursuant to the provisions of article XIII B, section 4 of the California Constitution, the electors of a governmental entity can increase the entity's appropriations (spending) limit, also known as a Gann Limit , for up to four years. The appropriations limit for a local governmental entity, such as the Blanchard/Santa Paula Public Library District ("Blanchard Community Library"), is the amount of revenue that it may spend during each fiscal year from the proceeds of taxes and/or the proceeds of State subventions. If a majority of those voting on the ballot measure vote "yes," the appropriations limit for the Blanchard Community Library will be set to $500,000 above the Gann Limit from July 1, 2010, through the date of June 30, 2014. The limit was originally approved by the voters at the ballot of June 3, 1994, and has been approved periodically thereafter. The ballot measure, if successful, will neither raise taxes nor authorize the raising of taxes."
* General tax ballot measures and Gann overrides in California require a simple majority (50+%) to
pass, but library special tax measures require a 2/3’s supermajority to pass.
Note: Richard Hall, a consultant in the California State Library's Library Development Services Bureau, researched, analyzed, and wrote the preceding information.