Sonoma County Voters Reject Library Tax

Sonoma County voters narrowly defeated a one-eighth cent sales tax increase for 10 years to restore library hours and services, according to unofficial election results this morning.

Measure M needed two-thirds approval and got 62.2 percent.

Santa Rosa voters rejected Measure N, which would have reduced the utility users tax from 5 to 4.5 percent but taxed cell phones. The money would be applied to maintain essential city services. The measure needed a simple majority but was approved by only about 47 percent of the voters.

Petaluma voters rejected Measure Q, a one-cent general transactions tax for street and sidewalk maintenance and repair, traffic improvements and restoring public safety positions.

Measure Q required a simple majority approval but only 43.6 percent of voters favored it.

Voters in the Monte Rio Fire Protection District appear to have narrowly rejected Measure S, a $60 special tax on single-family residential properties and $39 for campsites, mobile home spaces and multi-family units. The measure needed two-thirds approval and got 64.4 percent.

Voters approved Measure H, a $410 million bond issue for facility improvements at Santa Rosa Junior College. It needed 55 percent approval and received 62 percent.

Voters also approved Measure I, a $175 million bond issue for improvements in Santa Rosa High School District. It also needed 55 percent approval and got 63 percent.

School bond issues also passed in the Cinnabar Elementary, Oak Grove Union and Santa Rosa Elementary school districts.

Sebastopol voters approved Measure R, a reduction in the utility users tax from 4 to 3.75 percent that now taxes telecommunications, video and garbage services and continues the tax on gas and electricity to pay for police and fire services and road improvements.

Related coverage:

Healdsburg Voters Approve Keeping Fluoride In City’s Water.

Unofficial Results For Sonoma County Candidates.

--Bay City News