No End On Parcel Taxes: Santa Cruz Voters To Decide

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Some Santa Cruz residents will get to decide whether they want to continue paying certain parcel taxes indefinitely for school improvements — or just let those taxes expire.

Measures T and U will be on the March 3, 2020 primary election ballot. Under Measure T, voters who reside within Santa Cruz City High School District boundaries will decide if they want to continue paying an annual $110 per parcel tax or just let it expire.

According to ballot language, the current tax brings in $3.7 million in annual school funding. If approved by voters next year, Measure T would continue funding career technical education, science, technology, engineering, arts, counseling, library and athletic programs keeping kids safe and engaged in school, according to ballot language.

Under Measure U, voters who reside in the Santa Cruz City Elementary School District boundaries will decide whether to approve renewing an expiring parcel tax at a rate of $208 per parcel. If passed, residents in the district would pay approximately $18 more per year.

Measure U is expected to generate $3.2 million annually. The revenue would fund core programs in science, art and music that support student achievement at Santa Cruz elementary and middle schools, attract/retain highly qualified teachers, provide library and counseling services, and maintain smaller class sizes, according to ballot language.

Both measures are subject to two-thirds approval of the voters. If passed, Measures T and U have no sunset clause, so voters would need to approve future measures in order to end the parcel taxes.