A “yes” vote on Measure J-20 is a vote in favor of authorizing the proposed sales tax.
City of Paso RoblesMeasure J-20 Ordinance - Majority Approval Required
City of Paso Robles
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To maintain essential/general services, such as fire protection/paramedic services; wildfire/natural disaster emergency preparedness; 911 emergency response times; public safety; equipping first responders; fixing streets/potholes; school protective services, shall the City of Paso Robles adopt a measure establishing a 1¢ sales tax providing approximately $10,000,000 annually, expiring in 12 years unless ended earlier by voters, requiring annual audits, independent citizen oversight, public spending disclosure, and all funds only for Paso Robles?
What is this proposal?
Details — Official information
YES vote means
NO vote means
A “no” vote on Measure J-20 is a vote against authorizing the proposed sales tax.
Impartial analysis / Proposal
KIMBERLY E. HOOD Paso Robles Interim City Attorney
Measure J-20, if approved by a majority of Paso Robles voters, will add Chapter 3.11 to the El Paso de Robles Municipal Code and establish a one percent (1.0%) supplemental transaction and use tax (sales tax) within the City, which is equivalent to one cent (1¢) for every $1.00 spent on taxable goods. The tax would be paid in addition to current sales taxes and would be collected at the same time and in the same manner as existing sales taxes.
Measure J-20 would be a “general tax.” Consequently, all revenue generated from the proposed sales tax would be available for use by the City to pay for City operations and services, such as fire and emergency services, public safety, the repair and maintenance of city streets and sidewalks, school protective services, and other city services. While the City would not be bound to use the tax monies for any special purpose or for any particular facilities or programs, Measure J-20 requires the oversight of expenditures of the sales tax revenue by the City’s Supplemental Tax Oversight Committee. The Oversight Committee may make recommendations to the City Council on the use of the funds generated by the sales tax established by Measure J-20 and is required to make regular reports to the community, confirming that expenditures are all in keeping with approved priorities and have been used for the benefit of the Paso Robles community. Since this ballot measure proposes a “general tax” rather than a “special purpose tax,” it requires approval by a simple majority of the City’s voters.
If approved, Measure J-20 is anticipated to raise approximately $10,000,000 annually.
The sales tax authorized by Measure J-20 would terminate automatically on the twelfth (12th) anniversary of its operative date, unless repealed prior to that expiration date by the voters of the City. The measure was placed on the ballot by the City Council.
A “yes” vote on Measure J-20 is a vote in favor of authorizing the proposed sales tax.
A “no” vote on Measure J-20 is a vote against authorizing the proposed sales tax.
Published Arguments — Arguments for and against
Arguments FOR
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE J-20
Protect Local Control, Public Safety and Essential Services – Vote YES on J-20!
YES on J-20 is essential to our health, safety, and quality of life in Paso Robles.
YES on J-20 will keep Paso Robles safe -- Our Fire Department is able to staff just two 3-person engines and a 2-person paramedic squad. A structure fire, however, can require up to 5 engines; a wildfire many more than that. Over 700 times in just 12 months, both engines were fully engaged; there were no resources available for the next 911 call. Average response times have now increased to over six minutes. Response time metrics are only achieved 56% of the time.
We need J-20. The State continues to early release parolees into our community. As a result, property crime is on the rise, and gang activity from surrounding communities is impacting our local safety. Police calls for service have increased by 40% in the last 5 years alone. We must recruit and retain qualified well-trained officers to meet current and future public safety needs of our community. Over 4,200 times in 12 months, all officers were fully engaged; no more resources were available. Average response times have increased to over 14 minutes.
YES on J-20 continues to address critical infrastructure for safe, well-maintained roads for all, including first responders who need to reach people quickly. Paso Robles is over 130 years old and aging infrastructure must be addressed to protect public safety.
YES on J-20 is fiscally accountable. All Measure J-20 funds are locally controlled for our local needs; NO money can be taken by the State. Measure J-20 includes an independent citizen oversight committee, public disclosure reports of all spending, and annual financial audits.
Join us in voting YES on J-20!
s/ Steven W. Martin
Mayor, City of El Paso de Robles
s/ Henry Elisarraraz
Insurance Agent
s/ Dr. Curt Dubost
s/ Anthony Mark Borjon
Business Owner
s/ Dee Lacey
Cattle Rancher
Arguments AGAINST
NO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE J-20 WAS SUBMITTED
Read the proposed legislation
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