Glenbrooke News

Frequently Asked Questions about the Local November Election

Question: What Local Measures are on the November 2, 2010 Ballot?

Answer: There are several ballot measures on the November Ballot, the five local ballot measures are:

• Measure J—Utility User Tax Reduction and Modernization Measure—which if adopted would lower the existing UUT from 2.5% to 2.25% and modernize the language ensuring that all ratepayers are treated equally, regardless of the technology they are using.
• Measure K—Elective Office of Mayor—which if adopted would mean Elk Grove voters would directly elect a mayor.
• Measure L—(Applicable only if Measure K passes) Two Year Term of Elective Office of Mayor—which if adopted would mean that the term of office for a mayor would be two years.
• Measure M—(Applicable only if Measure K passes) Four Year Term of Elective Office of Mayor—which if adopted would mean that the term of office for a mayor would be four years.
• Measure N—(An Advisory Measure) Increase to seven member legislative body—which if adopted would increase the size of the legislative from 5 member to 7—including 6 district council members and one mayor qualified and elected citywide.

Question:  What is a Utility Users Tax?

Answer:  The Utility User Tax (UUT) is a tax on certain utility bills. Since Elk Grove was incorporated, residents have continued to pay a UUT on gas, electricity, sewer, landline telephone and cable television. Like many other California cities, Elk Grove uses UUT funding to maintain services such as code enforcement, animal care services, police protection, and senior and youth programs. Revenues generated from the existing UUT are approximately $3.5 million dollars per year to support these types of services. The UUT does NOT tax the internet—neither the existing UUT nor proposed changes tax Internet access regardless of technology used.

Question:  What has changed?

Answer:  Over the years, communications technology has changed, as have federal regulations.  To keep pace with these technology advances and comply with the law, the City must update its outdated UUT ordinance to treat all taxpayers equally, regardless of the technology used. For example modernization is needed to ensure that those using a cell phone and those using a land telephone line are treated the same way, paying the same rate.

Question:  What is Measure J?

Answer:  Measure J was placed on the November 2, 2010 ballot by the Elk Grove City Council to address these technical issues. Measure J reduces the existing UUT rate from 2.5% to 2.25%while continuing funding for important community services such as police services, code enforcement, and senior and youth programs.  Measure J is NOT a new tax – this measure will simply update and reduce an existing tax rate that residents have been paying since our Elk Grove was incorporated.

Question:  Why do we need Measure J?

Answer:  Without Measure J, the City may be forced to make additional budget cuts in programs and services because its UUT is outdated.  Services funded by our general fund that could be at risk include:

• • Code Enforcement,
  • Animal Care Services,
  • Police Protection, and
  • Community Grants, including those to Senior and Youth programs

Question: How do we know that Measure J funds will be spent responsibly?

Answer: Measure J requires annual independent financial audits to ensure accountability to Elk Grove residents. Elk Grove prides itself on high standards of transparency and fiscal accountability. Elk Grove’s   award-winning fiscal management practices include recent prestigious awards for the City’s 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports and its Annual Financial report to the Community—awards the City has received annually since 2005.

Question: How can I get more information about Measure J and the other local ballot measures?

Answer:  For more information, and the full text of Measure J as well as other local measures on the ballot, please visit www.elkgrovecity.org.