Tax Measures For Essential Services On Ballots In Los Gatos, Sunnyvale, San Jose

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – San Jose and Los Gatos voters will decide on tax increases on the Nov. 8 ballot that would provide vital services ranging from police patrols to street repairs, while Sunnyvale residents will look to revamp its decades-old utility user tax ordinance.

Measure G in San Jose would change the city's business tax that hasn't been updated in 30 years by raising the base tax from $150 to $195 starting July 1.

The tax would provide the city with an additional $12 million annually in the general fund for police services, emergency response and pothole repairs.

Around 74,450 businesses are paying the current tax, which altogether collects $12.7 million per year, city officials said.

The base tax applies to companies with up to eight workers and an additional $18 fee is charged for each additional employee, but the total amount can't exceed $25,000 annually, according to city officials.

The base tax for mobile home park owners covers 30 units and each added unit costs $5, with the total capped at $5,000 per year, city officials said.

Exemptions would be made to small businesses, which supporters say are currently struggling to keep up with current taxes, and employers facing financial difficulties.

In Sunnyvale, Measure N would update the city's utility user tax ordinance on power, gas and phone calls. The tax hasn't changed in nearly 50 years.

The proposed ordinance would expand the definition of telecommunication and incorporate newer technology such as wireless networks, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls and prepaid mobile services.
If the measure doesn't pass, the city could be open to legal challenges since the current ordinance is based on federal laws now behind the times, according to city officials.

The measure wouldn't change the city's 2 percent tax on the utilities and continually raises about $1.5 million per year for the city to pay for police, fire and 911 services, along with repairs to potholes, streets, sidewalks, and neighborhood parks.

Los Gatos' Measure T is looking for a 2 percent increase on short-term rentals that would apply to hotel guests, people who book through rental websites such as Airbnb and others staying in the city for 30 days or
less beginning Feb. 1.

Measure T would raise the tax to 12 percent, leading to an added $350,000 to $400,000 a year to help the city keep its "small town character" tucked away in the southwestern section of Santa Clara County Proponents said the tax has stayed at 10 percent since 1983 and Measure T would allow the city to be competitive with other hotels and motels in the area under a rate comparable to neighboring cities.

The funds collected through Measure T would help the city retain its 911 response and police aid; maintain its parks, trails, creeks, playground equipment and restrooms; fix potholes and town facilities and make
downtown improvements.

All three measures require majority approval to pass.

Also see:

• Reader Writes: Dream Team for Los Altos City Council
• Measure A's $950 Million Housing Bond Aimed At Affordable Housing; But Will It Really Aid Homeless Crisis?
• Measure B: Santa Clara Co. Voters To Decide Half-Cent Sales Tax For Transportation Projects
• Nov. 8 Election: Corrected Argument Against Campbell Union H.S. District Measure AA Coming In Mail
• Santa Clara Co. Leaders Respond To Election Rigging, Voter Fraud Allegations
• Prop 59 Supporters Hold County Rally To Eliminate 'Corporate Personhood'
• Rep. Honda Files Suit Accusing Ro Khanna's Campaign Of Espionage, Computer Fraud

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