Sonoma County Election Results: Voters Pass 2 Of 3 Measures

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Two of three local measures on Tuesday's Sonoma County election ballot were passed by voters, while the third measure was narrowly losing, according to unofficial election-night results. Voting was by mail only because of the wildfires last month, and although voters had the chance to return their ballots up until 8 p.m. Tuesday, the overall turnout appeared to be low, Sonoma County Elections Manager Deena Thompson-Stadler told Patch Wednesday afternoon.

Measure F, a $65 annual parcel tax for eight years in the Wilmar Union School District in Petaluma which requires a two-thirds approval, was narrowly losing by a 64.3 to 35.7 percent margin, election-night results showed.

The tax would raise $70,890 annually for music, arts, counseling services and technology at the K-6 Wilson Elementary School at 3775 Bodega Ave.

A previous parcel tax expired, and Measure F was to begin on July 1, 2018.

According to Thompson-Stadler, 21,144 mail-in ballots were sent to registered voters for the measures, 6,120 of which were received in time to be included in election-night results.

"The election is not over," Thompson-Stadler told Patch.

Counting of ballots will continue, she said. For instance, voters who forgot to sign their ballots are given eight days post-election day to do so.

She expects the next batch of election results to be released on or after Wednesday, Nov. 15.

Meanwhile, Cotati voters approved Measure G, a tax on marijuana businesses. It required majority approval and received nearly 79 percent of the vote, according to the unofficial election-night results.

Cultivation businesses will be taxed up to $25 per square foot of cultivation area adjusted annually by the Consumer Price Index or eight percent of gross receipts, and up to eight percent for gross receipts on cannabis manufacturing, distribution and dispensary businesses.

It's estimated the tax will provide $300,000 a year to Cotati's general fund budget to provide city services. The tax does not apply to the use or the cultivation of cannabis for personal use as authorized by state law.

Windsor voters approved Measure H, which extends the town's urban growth boundary to Dec. 31, 2040 and includes three parcels totaling an additional 22.5 additional acres for light-industrial use in the Shiloh Road area.

The Santa Rosa Junior College Public Safety Training campus and two other businesses are included in the additional 22.5 acres.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Image via Patch