Measure Y | californiachoices.org

My vote

Would increase the rate of the City’s special parcel tax for parks, trees and landscaping maintenance from $0.221 to $0.2652 per square foot of taxable improvements, adjusted annually for inflation, exempting very low-income property owners as defined by the City Council, estimated to generate an additional approximately $3.8 million annually for a total of approximately $22 million annually, and effective until amended or repealed by voters. Measure Y requires a two-thirds vote for passage.

Fiscal Impact: This measure will raise revenues and incur administrative costs in order to implement.

Next Alameda County Measure: Measure Z

See Endorsements for Measure Y

Details

Pro/Con

Pro:

Supporters argue that all Berkeley residents deserve beautiful parks, a resilient waterfront, and an ecologically sustainable and biodiverse city. Vote Yes on Measure Y to Revitalize Berkeley’s Parks, Urban Forest, and Green spaces!

Berkeley is a socially and economically diverse community and one of the densest cities in California. Our parks, trees, and landscaping are a precious legacy we’ve inherited and all enjoy daily.

Properties, except for qualified low-income owners, are currently assessed 22.1 cents annually per building square foot. Every Parks Tax dollar is set aside for the acquisition and maintenance of improvements to our beloved public parks, trees, and landscaping.

However, there are many parks and facilities requiring upgrades. We have approximately $90M in key capital improvement needs across the 250 acres comprising Berkeley’s parks and this modest increase will allow us to continue expanding the tree canopy in South and West Berkeley while increasing our management of trees in the hills and fire areas.

A YES vote on this measure means that you support authorizing an annual parcel tax of $0.06 per square foot for dwelling units and $0.09 per square foot for other properties to fund Berkeley Public Library facilities and services.

Con:

No official argument against Measure Y was submitted.

A NO vote on this measure means that you oppose authorizing an annual parcel tax of $0.06 per square foot for dwelling units and $0.09 per square foot for other properties to fund Berkeley Public Library facilities and services.

In Depth

This measure would increase the rate of the City’s special parcel tax for parks, trees, and landscaping maintenance. Currently, the tax is imposed at a rate of $0.2210 per square foot of taxable improvements. The measure would increase the rate to $0.2652 per square foot of taxable improvements. The measure includes an exemption for property owned by individuals with “very low income” as defined by the City Council. The City Council would be allowed to increase or decrease the rate annually for inflation.

Revenues generated by the existing Parks Tax, which was adopted in 1997, fund the acquisition and maintenance of improvements to City parks, trees and landscaping. The additional revenues generated by the increased tax would be used for the same purposes.

The City estimates that the rate increase would raise roughly $3.8 million more per year, resulting in the tax raising a total of roughly $22 million per year.

This measure changes nothing else about the tax. The method of collection, method of implementation, exemptions, and other provisions in Chapter 7.10 of the Municipal Code would remain unchanged.

Source: City of Berkeley Ballot Measure Documents

Voter Resources

City of Berkeley Voter Information

Alameda County Election Resources