06 Nov Most Tax Measures on Ballot Passing

(Contra Costa County via Bay City News)

By Tony Hicks
Bay City News

Many Contra Costa County voters were choosing whether to pay for more services in their cities Tuesday night.

In El Cerrito, Measure G was passing, with 80.69% of ‘yes’ votes, needing only a majority.

Measure G would extend the city’s one-cent sales tax, providing $4 million annually in services, with “citizen’s oversight, annual audits, all funds staying local, none to Sacramento,” according to the ballot.

Lafayette’s Measure H was passing with 65.8% of yes votes, only requiring a majority.

Measure H asked voters if they wanted to enact a half-cent sales tax that would be in effect for seven years and generate an estimated $2.4 million annually, with yearly financial audits, public review of expenditures by a citizen oversight committee, and a guarantee all funds benefit Lafayette.

Pinole’s Measure I was passing with 67.46% of yes votes, needing only a majority. The proposal would raise an estimated $2.5 million annually until ended by voters and require audits, spending disclosure, and all funds spent for Pinole.

San Pablo’s Measure M was passing at 75.1%. Measure M is slightly different than the other tax measures as the tax would impose a cannabis business license tax of up to 7% of gross receipts, or $10 per square foot of commercial grow area, on cannabis businesses, lasting until voters end it.

Measure M would generate an estimated $1.5 million to $2.2 million annually. The ballot says all funds would stay local and be subject to annual audit.

San Ramon’s Measure N was passing at 55.8%. It asked voters whether they want a one-cent sales tax spent in the city for 10 years to help fund city services.

Measure N would provide approximately $16 million annually, subject to public review and annual audits. All funds would benefit San Ramon.

Pleasant Hill’s Measure S was falling short of the required two-thirds “yes’ votes, with 63.53%. It sought to repair and improve local parks, trails, and recreation facilities to support health, fitness, and activities for residents.

Measure S would also add restrooms where needed, improve park safety and children’s playground equipment, and provide more access for residents with disabilities. The measure asked voters to approve $77 million in bonds, levying approximately $4.2 million annually while bonds are outstanding at average rates of $19 per $100,000 assessed value, with independent citizen oversight and all money staying local.

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