Measure B maintains current income tax
Gilroy – Voters receiving their sample ballots may have never even heard of Measure B and it hasn’t exactly been a hotly debated issue, but it appears there’s a reason for its obscurity.
“If this were one where people actually had to dig into their pockets it might be an issue too,” said Ann Ravel, Santa Clara County Counsel. “It is a carve-out of the property tax that would ordinarily go to the county. What it is, is the voter saying that we want this amount dedicated to park and open spaces.”
Measure B won’t raise taxes. Actually, if the majority of voters check “yes” on Measure B next week – which requires a simple majority to pass – nothing will change.
First enacted in 1972 and most recently extended in 1996, Measure B ensures that a small portion of property tax revenue is earmarked for Santa Clara County Parks, instead of pouring the cash into the general fund.
Homeowners will continue to pay the same amount of property tax if the measure does or does not pass, Ravel said. If it passes, the earmark will continue for another 12 years.
If the majority of voters vote against it, the taxes will all go into the same pot and will have to compete with other county projects and expenses.
The money contributes to the following: protect watersheds and wildlife, purchase land, rehabilitate and maintain park facilities, expand access to urban and rural trails and provide adequate staffing for all county parks.
The Santa Clara County Park system encompasses 45,000 acres of areas such as the Los Gatos Creek Trail, Mount Madonna camps and Coyote Lake.
The measure is endorsed by Congressman Mike Honda (D-San Jose), Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Beall, Mary Davey, director of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and Kris Wang, chair of the county Parks and Recreation Commission.
Although no arguments were submitted against the measure on the sample ballot, Ravel said some individuals may vote “no” because they don’t believe in tying elected officials hands on budgetary matters.
But it appears that most locals want to make sure parks and trails are keep intact, she said.
“I think this is pretty popular measure and has been pretty popular (in the past),” Ravel said. “Everyone seems to think it is a good idea”
