CITY OF LARKSPUR
MEASURE B
MEASURE B: Larkspur Essential City Services Measure. To maintain City services, including repairing aging, deteriorating neighborhood streets, roads, potholes, major boulevards; clearing brush to prevent fires/improve emergency vehicle access; upgrading storm drains; fire protection/911 emergency/medical response; and other services, shall the City of Larkspur extend the voter-approved sales tax at the 3/4¢ rate until ended by voters, providing $1,650,000 annually with authority to incur debt to accelerate infrastructure projects, subject to citizens’ oversight/audits?
YES NO
CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE B
The City Council of the City of Larkspur placed Measure B on the ballot to ask the City’s voters to approve a three-quarter of one percent (0.75%) transactions and use (“sales”) tax. If approved, the total local sales tax would add 3/4¢ to the price of an item that costs a dollar (if the item is normally subject to sales tax).
Funds from Measure B could be used for any legitimate local governmental purpose. It is therefore a “general tax,” not a “special tax” that restricts the funds to specific purposes. The City Council has adopted a policy for the use of proceeds from the tax. It committed no less than 80% of funds to road repair, rehabilitation, and maintenance, and related improvements. The other 20% may also be used for the same purposes and for emergency services and the repair and maintenance of the City’s storm drain system.
The measure would authorize the City Council to incur debt, including issuing bonds, allowing the City to accelerate roadway projects. The Council’s policy on the use of funds calls for consideration of a financing plan to make possible a five-year roadway improvement plan. It is anticipated that any debt incurred would be in the $25-30,000,000 range, repaid over at least 20 years.
Because a financing plan has not yet been adopted, the measure does not include an automatic sunset in a term of years. Instead, it states that Larkspur voters have the authority to terminate the tax through the ballot and empowers the Citizens’ Oversight Committee, discussed below, to recommend to the Council that it submit a measure to Larkspur voters to end the tax. Such a measure could not terminate the tax while debt to fund roadway improvements was outstanding but would result in termination as soon as it was repaid.
In 2013, Larkspur voters approved Measure C, a 0.50% sales tax, revenue from which has been used primarily for road repair, rehabilitation, and maintenance projects, and also for clearing vegetation that might obstruct fire engines, improving the downtown fire station, and leasing a new fire truck. Measure C will expire in 2019 unless renewed. Measure B would extend Measure C and increase the rate by 0.25%. If Measure B were approved, the total sales tax rate in Larkspur would be 9.0%. The measure is estimated to produce $1,650,000 annually.
Measure B would continue the role of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee established by Measure C. Its duties include reviewing a mandatory report prepared annually by the City’s auditors regarding the collection, management, and expenditure of measure revenue; evaluating the projects and services provided with measure revenue; and making recommendations to the City Council regarding priorities for expenditure of measure revenue.
A “Yes” vote is a vote to approve a 3/4¢ sales tax, with annual review by independent auditors and a citizens’ oversight committee. A “No” vote is a vote against the tax. Measure B would be approved if it received a simple majority of “Yes” votes.
s/SKY WOODRUFF
City Attorney
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE B
Tired of Larkspur’s deteriorating streets and potholes? Vote YES on B!
Larkspur still has the worst streets and roads in Marin County. YES on B repairs our aging, deteriorating local streets, roads, and boulevards -- making them safer and maintaining our property values.
YES on B does NOT create a new tax. Measure B simply extends the existing, voter-approved Larkspur sales tax at the ¾ cent rate. This voter-approved funding has been used to repave some of the most degraded roads in the hills, on Magnolia Avenue, and Larkspur Plaza Drive. While this funding has been critical in preventing some roads from falling into further disrepair, more roads will fail unless we extend it.
- YES on B fixes more potholes
- YES on B repaves all city roads over the next 5 years (about 5 miles of roads per year)
- YES on B repairs deteriorating streets before costs become as much as 40 times more expensive in the future
- YES on B keeps Larkspur’s roads safe
All Measure B money must be spent on our LOCAL needs and Sacramento politicians can’t touch a dime! We must continue to invest in our local infrastructure to make needed improvements, prevent further deterioration, and lower future street maintenance costs.
YES on B continues tough accountability provisions such as independent financial audits, publishing expenditure reports, and continued review by an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee – ensuring funds are used as promised to the community.
Here’s what Measure B WON’T do:
- Measure B will NOT fund pensions or administrators’ salaries.
- Measure B is NOT a tax on your home or property.
- Measure B is NOT applied to food purchased as groceries or prescription medication.
Join a unanimous City Council and neighborhood leaders and residents throughout Larkspur in voting YES on B. For information about Measure B, visit
www.cityoflarkspur.org/FixingOurRoadsMeasureB
s/KEVIN HAROFF
Mayor, City Council
s/LAURA L. COLLINS
Member, Measure C Citizen Oversight Committee and Larkspur Taxpayer
s/SANDY BLAUVELT
Resident 46 years
s/PERRY BUTLER
Owner, Perry’s on Magnolia
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE B
Larkspur’s leaders are NOT being transparent with the voters. With carefully chosen words, they conceal the truth about Measure B.
They say this is not a NEW tax but fail to tell you they are raising the rate by 1/4 cent.
They are selling it as a tax for road and street repair, but the tax goes straight into the General Fund. There is nothing in the measure that requires the city to spend the money on roads.
If Measure B’s revenue were designated for roads only, it would need 2/3 vote to pass. A general tax only requires a simple majority.
Measure C, passed by voters in 2013, brings in about $750,000 - $1Million/year, but spending on roads this year is up less than $100,000 from the pre-tax years, SO MORE THAN 80% OF THE NEW REVENUE IS NOT GOING TO ROADS. Source: www.ci.larkspur.ca.us
City officials allowed our roads to deteriorate, and then manipulated the voters into passing the initial tax in 2013. Four years later they admit that our roads are still the worst in the county. They did not keep their word to spend Measure C's revenue on roads and cannot be trusted to do so in the future.
The best way to get our roads fixed is not to raise our taxes. We must elect people who are really committed to doing so.
Don't be fooled again. Vote “NO” on B.
s/MICHAEL HARTNETT
ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE B
Everyone agrees on one thing. The roads in Larkspur are in deplorable condition. But saddling the taxpayers with sales tax of 0.75% in perpetuity is not the solution.
Since the passage of the half-cent tax four years ago, there has not been a substantial increase in expenditures on roads.
There has been a significant increase spending on pensions and salaries.
This sales tax goes to the city’s General Fund. It does not have to be spent on our roads.
By having revenues go to the General Fund, the city avoids the two-thirds’ majority requirement for passage if the measure were strictly for roads. City officials are trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
Like many municipalities, Larkspur has a serious shortfall in its obligation towards pensions and benefits to its public employees. It is likely that the increased revenue from this measure will go to salaries and benefits for them.
It is shameful that the city chose to neglect its basic infrastructure for so long. In a prosperous community with a thriving business sector, there should have been enough money for road maintenance without this tax. This tax increase will hurt businesses and consumers in Larkspur.
The city has yet to adequately confront its looming employee pension and benefit shortfall. Passing this tax only enables them of avoid the issue. They need to live within their means.
Vote “No” on this deceptive tax increase.
s/MICHAEL HARTNETT
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE B
Don’t let Larkspur’s roads and potholes continue to deteriorate! Properly maintained streets help residents and businesses alike -- vote YES on B.
Here are the facts the opponent wants you to ignore:
FACT: Measure B was developed with input from hundreds of Larkspur residents and businesses who said--
- Residents want street/pothole repairs to be completely addressed within 5 years. Measure B accomplishes just that – vote YES!
- Voters should be given the power to end Measure B at any time, which Measure B does.
FACT: YES on B continues tough accountability provisions such as independent financial audits, published expenditure reports, and continued review by the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee – ensuring 100% of the funds continue to be spent as promised to voters. To view Oversight Committee reports and an accounting of funds to date, visit www.cityoflarkspur.org
- ALL spending to date is consistent with promises made to voters.
-94% of the funds were dedicated to pothole/street repair
-6% of the funds were dedicated to fire services/vegetation management
- NOT ONE PENNY has been spent on pensions or administrators’ salaries.
FACT: YES on B repairs Larkspur’s deteriorating streets before they become as much as 40 times more expensive. More roads will fail unless we extend local funding—vote YES.
FACT: YES on B gives Larkspur local control over local funds. Yes on B funds are legally required to be used for local needs.
Join Larkspur residents from every neighborhood, business leaders and a unanimous City Council in voting YES on B -- fix our streets and potholes!
s/KEVIN HAROFF
Mayor
s/LAURA L. COLLINS
Member – Measure C Citizens Oversight Committee/Larkspur Taxpayer
s/PERRY BUTLER
Larkspur Taxpayer/Business Owner – Perry’s on Magnolia
s/SANDY BLAUVELT
46-year Larkspur Resident/Taxpayer
FULL TEXT OF MEASURE B
CITY OF LARKSPUR
ORDINANCE No. 1019/17
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LARKSPUR AMENDING CHAPTER 3.24 OF THE LARKSPUR MUNICIPAL CODE IMPOSING A LOCAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE (SALES) TAX TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
WHEREAS, many of Larkspur’s neighborhood streets and roads are deteriorating and riddled with cracks; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to address aging road conditions for the safety of motorists, buses, cyclists, police and fire safety vehicles and the best approach to doing so is to accelerate road repairs so all City roads can be repaved within 5 years; and
WHEREAS, doing so will not only maintain safety, but prevent further deterioration, and lower future maintenance costs as delaying maintenance and repairs to Larkspur’s streets and roads only increases costs in the long-run by as much as 40 times higher; and
WHEREAS, funding is also needed to continue to clear hazardous and flammable brush, prevent fires and improve emergency vehicle access, improve drainage in low-lying areas, and retrofit buildings, storm drains and other infrastructure so Larkspur is prepared for natural disasters such as fires, floods and earthquakes; and
WHEREAS, local, voter-approved funding by Larkspur residents has been critical in preventing our roads from falling into further disrepair—maintaining this funding is essential to keeping our roads safe; and
WHEREAS, 90% of existing local, voter-approved funding was spent on road repair and none was spent on salaries or pensions; and
WHEREAS, with recent political changes, the City of Larkspur cannot count on federal or state governments to provide funding as they’ve done in the past--only by maintaining control locally can the City ensure road repairs, police protection, fire services, storm drain repairs, and other essential city services are adequately preserved; and
WHEREAS, previous voter-approved local funding will expire and needs to be renewed; and
WHEREAS, at its June 7, 2017 meeting, the City Council adopted a budget for Fiscal Year 2017-18 that recognizes the need for additional revenue to continue to address aging road conditions, clear hazardous and flammable brush, prevent fires and improve emergency vehicle access, improve drainage in low-lying areas, and retrofit buildings, storm drains and other infrastructure, and fund general municipal services; and
WHEREAS, to obtain the revenue necessary for those projects and services and to maintain general municipal services, the City Council has concluded that it should call an election to ask the voters of the City to continue its local transactions and use tax (“sales tax”) at the three-quarter cent rate; and
WHEREAS, the tax to be submitted to the voters, if approved, would be imposed on the sale of tangible personal property and the storage, use, or other consumption of such property; the tax rate would be three-quarters of a cent for each dollar (0.75%) of the sales price of the property; the tax revenue would be collected by the State Board of Equalization and remitted to the City; and the tax shall be approved if the measure receives at least a simple majority vote of affirmative votes; and
WHEREAS, at the November 2013 election, the voters of the City of Larkspur approved Measure C, a local, half-cent transactions and use tax, to be in effect for five years and sunset in 2018. Measure C was codified as Chapter 3.24 of the Larkspur Municipal Code. This ordinance amends and restates Chapter 3.24 to extend the existing tax at the three-quarter cent rate.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LARKSPUR DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. The People of Larkspur find that the above Recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. Amendment of Larkspur Municipal Code Chapter 3.24. Chapter 3.24 of the Larkspur Municipal Code is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
3.24.010 Title.
This ordinance shall be known as the Larkspur Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance. The City of Larkspur hereinafter shall be called "City." This Ordinance shall be applicable in the incorporated territory of the City.
3.24.020. Operative Date.
"Operative Date" means the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing more than 110 days after the adoption of this Ordinance, the date of such adoption being as set forth below.
3.24.030 Purpose.
This Ordinance is adopted to achieve the following, among other purposes, and directs that the provisions hereof be interpreted in order to accomplish those purposes:
A. To impose a retail transactions and use tax in accordance with the provisions of Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and Section 7285.9 of Part 1.7 of Division 2 which authorizes the City to adopt this tax ordinance which shall be operative if a majority of the electors voting on the measure vote to approve the imposition of the tax at an election called for that purpose.
B. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that incorporates provisions identical to those of the Sales and Use Tax Law of the State of California insofar as those provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements and limitations contained in Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
C. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that imposes a tax and provides a measure therefore that can be administered and collected by the State Board of Equalization in a manner that adapts itself as fully as practicable to, and requires the least possible deviation from, the existing statutory and administrative procedures followed by the State Board of Equalization in administering and collecting the California State Sales and Use Taxes.
D. To adopt a retail transactions and use tax ordinance that can be administered in a manner that will be, to the greatest degree possible, consistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, minimize the cost of collecting the transactions and use taxes, and at the same time, minimize the burden of record keeping upon persons subject to taxation under the provisions of this ordinance
3.24.040 Contract with State.
Prior to the operative date, the City shall contract with the State Board of Equalization to perform all functions incident to the administration and operation of this transactions and use tax ordinance; provided, that if the City shall not have contracted with the State Board of Equalization prior to the operative date, it shall nevertheless so contract and in such a case the operative date shall be the first day of the first calendar quarter following the execution of such a contract.
3.24.050 Transactions Tax Rate.
For the privilege of selling tangible personal property at retail, a tax is hereby imposed upon all retailers in the incorporated territory of the City at the rate of 0.75% of the gross receipts of any retailer from the sale of all tangible personal property sold at retail in said territory on and after the operative date of this ordinance.
3.24.060 Place of Sale.
For the purposes of this ordinance, all retail sales are consummated at the place of business of the retailer unless the tangible personal property sold is delivered by the retailer or his agent to an out-of-state destination or to a common carrier for delivery to an out-of-state destination. The gross receipts from such sales shall include delivery charges, when such charges are subject to the state sales and use tax, regardless of the place to which delivery is made. In the event a retailer has no permanent place of business in the State or has more than one place of business, the place or places at which the retail sales are consummated shall be determined under rules and regulations to be prescribed and adopted by the State Board of Equalization.
3.24.070 Use Tax Rate.
An excise tax is hereby imposed on the storage, use or other consumption in the City of tangible personal property purchased from any retailer on and after the operative date of this ordinance for storage, use or other consumption in said territory at the rate of 0.75% of the sales price of the property. The sales price shall include delivery charges when such charges are subject to state sales or use tax regardless of the place to which delivery is made.
3.24.080 Adoption of Provisions of State Law.
Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance and except insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions of Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, all of the provisions of Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code are hereby adopted and made a part of this ordinance as though fully set forth herein.
3.24.090. Limitations on Adoption of State Law and Collection of Use Taxes.
In adopting the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code:
A. Wherever the State of California is named or referred to as the taxing agency, the name of this City shall be substituted therefor. However, the substitution shall not be made when:
- The word "State" is used as a part of the title of the State Controller, State Treasurer, State Board of Control, State Board of Equalization, State Treasury, or the Constitution of the State of California;
- The result of that substitution would require action to be taken by or against this City or any agency, officer, or employee thereof rather than by or against the State Board of Equalization, in performing the functions incident to the administration or operation of this Ordinance.
- In those sections, including, but not necessarily limited to sections referring to the exterior boundaries of the State of California, where the result of the substitution would be to:
- Provide an exemption from this tax with respect to certain sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property which would not otherwise be exempt from this tax while such sales, storage, use or other consumption remain subject to tax by the State under the provisions of Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, or;
- Impose this tax with respect to certain sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property which would not be subject to tax by the state under the said provision of that code.
- In Sections 6701, 6702 (except in the last sentence thereof), 6711, 6715, 6737, 6797 or 6828 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
B. The word “City” shall be substituted for the word “State” in the phrase “retailer engaged in business in this State” in Section 6203 and in the definition of that phrase in Section 6203.
3.24.100 Permit Not Required.
If a seller’s permit has been issued to a retailer under Section 6067 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, an additional transactor’s permit shall not be required by this Ordinance.
3.24.110 Exemptions and Exclusions.
A. There shall be excluded from the measure of the transactions tax and the use tax the amount of any sales tax or use tax imposed by the State of California or by any city, city and county, or county pursuant to the Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law or the amount of any state-administered transactions or use tax.
B. There are exempted from the computation of the amount of transactions tax the gross receipts from:
- Sales of tangible personal property, other than fuel or petroleum products, to operators of aircraft to be used or consumed principally outside the county in which the sale is made and directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as common carriers of persons or property under the authority of the laws of this State, the United States, or any foreign government.
- Sales of property to be used outside the City which is shipped to a point outside the City, pursuant to the contract of sale, by delivery to such point by the retailer or his agent, or by delivery by the retailer to a carrier for shipment to a consignee at such point. For the purposes of this paragraph, delivery to a point outside the City shall be satisfied:
- With respect to vehicles (other than commercial vehicles) subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with Section 21411 of the Public Utilities Code, and undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5 (commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code by registration to an out-of-City address and by a declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer, stating that such address is, in fact, his or her principal place of residence; and
- With respect to commercial vehicles, by registration to a place of business out-of-City and declaration under penalty of perjury, signed by the buyer, that the vehicle will be operated from that address.
- The sale of tangible personal property if the seller is obligated to furnish the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the operative date of this Ordinance.
- A lease of tangible personal property which is a continuing sale of such property, for any period of time for which the lessor is obligated to lease the property for an amount fixed by the lease prior to the operative date of this ordinance.
- For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this section, the sale or lease of tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether or not such right is exercised.
C. There are exempted from the use tax imposed by this ordinance, the storage, use or other consumption in this City of tangible personal property:
- The gross receipts from the sale of which have been subject to a transactions tax under any state-administered transactions and use tax ordinance.
- Other than fuel or petroleum products purchased by operators of aircraft and used or consumed by such operators directly and exclusively in the use of such aircraft as common carriers of persons or property for hire or compensation under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant to the laws of this State, the United States, or any foreign government. This exemption is in addition to the exemptions provided in Sections 6366 and 6366.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State of California.
- If the purchaser is obligated to purchase the property for a fixed price pursuant to a contract entered into prior to the operative date of this ordinance.
- If the possession of, or the exercise of any right or power over, the tangible personal property arises under a lease which is a continuing purchase of such property for any period of time for which the lessee is obligated to lease the property for an amount fixed by a lease prior to the operative date of this ordinance.
- For the purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this section, storage, use, or other consumption, or possession of, or exercise of any right or power over, tangible personal property shall be deemed not to be obligated pursuant to a contract or lease for any period of time for which any party to the contract or lease has the unconditional right to terminate the contract or lease upon notice, whether or not such right is exercised.
- Except as provided in subparagraph (7), a retailer engaged in business in the City shall not be required to collect use tax from the purchaser of tangible personal property, unless the retailer ships or delivers the property into the City or participates within the City in making the sale of the property, including, but not limited to, soliciting or receiving the order, either directly or indirectly, at a place of business of the retailer in the City or through any representative, agent, canvasser, solicitor, subsidiary, or person in the City under the authority of the retailer.
- “A retailer engaged in business in the City” shall also include any retailer of any of the following: vehicles subject to registration pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 3 of the Vehicle Code, aircraft licensed in compliance with Section 21411 of the Public Utilities Code, or undocumented vessels registered under Division 3.5 (commencing with Section 9840) of the Vehicle Code. That retailer shall be required to collect use tax from any purchaser who registers or licenses the vehicle, vessel, or aircraft at an address in the City.
D. Any person subject to use tax under this Ordinance may credit against that tax any transactions tax or reimbursement for transactions tax paid to a district imposing, or retailer liable for a transactions tax pursuant to Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code with respect to the sale to the person of the property the storage, use or other consumption of which is subject to the use tax.
3.24.120 Amendments.
All amendments subsequent to the effective date of this Ordinance to Part 1 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code relating to sales and use taxes and which are not inconsistent with Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and all amendments to Part 1.6 and Part 1.7 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, shall automatically become a part of this Ordinance, provided however, that no such amendment shall operate so as to affect the rate of tax imposed by this Ordinance.
3.24.130 Enjoining Collection Forbidden.
No injunction or writ of mandate or other legal or equitable process shall issue in any suit, action or proceeding in any court against the State or the City, or against any officer of the State or the City, to prevent or enjoin the collection under this ordinance, or Part 1.6 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, of any tax or any amount of tax required to be collected.
3.24.140. Annual Audit; Citizens’ Oversight
A. By no later than December 31 of each year after the operative date, the City's independent auditors shall complete a report reviewing the collection, management and expenditure of revenue from the tax authorized by this Chapter. The auditors’ report shall be a public document.
B. There shall be a committee consisting of no fewer than five members of the public to review and report on the receipt of revenue and expenditure of funds from the tax authorized by this Chapter. The committee members shall be either Larkspur residents or representatives of Larkspur businesses. The auditors’ annual report required by subsection A shall be provided to the committee. By March 31 of each year, the committee shall review the auditors’ report and make recommendations to the City Council regarding priorities for expenditures of revenue from the tax authorized by this Chapter for the following budget year. The City Council shall consider the committee’s recommendations as part of its budget deliberations.
C. The City Council shall by resolution establish the composition of the committee required by subsection B, setting the terms of office of the committee members, and defining the scope of the committee’s responsibilities, which at a minimum shall include reviewing the annual auditor’s report and making recommendations to the City Council for use of revenue from the tax authorized by this Chapter. The City Council shall maintain a quorum of appointed committee members while the tax approved by this Chapter is in effect. Appointment of committee members and filling vacancies shall be governed by the resolution establishing the composition and rules of operation of the committee.
D. In the event that the City Council authorizes the incurrence of debt to accelerate infrastructure projects, the committee shall additionally review the expenditure of funds for consistency with the purposes of the debt and make recommendations regarding the use thereof. The auditor shall include expenditure of proceeds of the debt in its annual report.
E. The oversight committee is hereby authorized as part of an annual report to recommend that the City Council submit a measure to Larkspur voters to confirm whether to continue the tax.
3.24.150 Use of Tax Proceeds
All proceeds of the tax levied and imposed under this Chapter shall be paid into the General Fund for use by the City of Larkspur for general municipal services. The City Council is authorized to incur indebtedness in the form of bonds, notes, contractual obligations or other evidences of indebtedness authorized by law to finance or refinance the costs of capital projects, including but not limited to street and storm drain repair and improvement, and to pay any and all costs of issuing or incurring such indebtedness, to fund reserve funds, capitalized interest, costs of credit enhancement, costs of interest rate hedging arrangements or any other financing costs associated with such indebtedness. Such indebtedness shall be solely payable from, and may be secured by a pledge and lien on, the proceeds of the tax levied and imposed hereunder. The annual indebtedness, including principal and interest, shall not exceed the estimated annual proceeds of the tax authorized by this Chapter.
Section 3. Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The approval of this Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000 et seq., “CEQA,” and 14 Cal. Code Reg. §§ 15000 et seq., “CEQA Guidelines”). The transactions and use tax imposed by the adoption of this Ordinance is general tax that can be used for any legitimate governmental purpose; it is not a commitment to any particular action. As such, under CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4), the tax is not a project within the meaning of CEQA because it creates a government funding mechanism that does not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. If revenue from the tax were used for a purpose that would have either such effect, the city would undertake the required CEQA review for that particular project. Therefore, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15060 CEQA analysis is not required.
Section 4. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Ordinance and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby
Section 5. Effective Date and Publication. This Ordinance relates to the levying and collecting of the City transactions and use taxes and shall take effect immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Chapter 3.24 of the Municipal Code shall not be amended until the operative date.