(Required to Pass: majority of votes cast)

THE TULARE VITAL CITY SERVICES MEASURE. To maintain and improve vital city services such as Police, Fire, and paramedic services, 911 response times, anti-gang programs, street and pothole repair, parks, recreation, library, tree trimming, code enforcement and other services, shall the sales tax be increased by a maximum of one-half of a cent with citizens= oversight and independent annual financial audits?

THE TULARE VITAL CITY SERVICES MEASURE

The Tulare Vital City Services Measure proposes to raise revenue by authorizing a general transactions and use tax ("sales tax") of one-half of a cent (.50 percent), and approving an ordinance adding Chapter 5.78 to Title 5 of the Tulare Municipal Code. The tax would be paid in addition to the current state and local sales taxes and would be collected at the same time and in the same manner as existing sales taxes.

California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7285.9 authorizes the City to levy or increase a transactions and use tax (i.e. "sales tax") at a rate of .25 percent or multiple thereof, for the general purposes of the city, if the ordinance proposing the tax is approved by a majority of the qualified voters of the city voting in an election on that issue. If approved by the voters, the sales tax will become effective no sooner than April 1, 2006.

The revenues from this tax are not designated for any specific purpose. The revenues may be used for general city functions, such as police protection including anti-gang programs, fire suppression and paramedic services, street and pothole repair, city park maintenance and repairs, the library, recreation, tree trimming, code enforcement and other services.

The sales tax increase will be subject to certain conditions. The revenues and expenditures shall be independently audited on an annual basis. Additionally, an independent citizen’s oversight committee shall review the revenues and expenditures, and the findings of the auditor and oversight committee shall be reviewed by the City Council and made available to the public. The City Council may, by resolution and after public notice and a public hearing, reduce said tax to one-quarter of a cent (.25 percent).

s/ Julia M. Lew

Deputy City Attorney

Since 1999, Tulare grew 20% and demands on our firefighters and police personnel increased dramatically. Like most Valley cities, we have an increase in gangs and criminal activity. To prevent and investigate crimes, and provide rapid treatment to victims, we need more firefighters and police officers – and updated equipment. Firefighters and Police Officers are critical to our security and well-being. Without personnel to respond to 9-1-1 calls, we cannot keep response times under the four minute timeframe.

We also need improvements to our city streets. Without adequate funding, we cannot properly repair our streets, and citizens pay more for vehicle maintenance and insurance. What we don’t repair now will cost more to fix later.

For several years the State of California has taken money from cities to balance its budget. Tulare has lost over $9 million to the state since 1992. There is little chance the city will be repaid so we must take matters into our own hands. A local sales tax stays here for our use; Sacramento cannot take it from us.

To meet public safety and street repair needs, we are asking you to approve a local sales tax increase, which over half of California’s tax districts have done. This adds a half-percent on the purchase of taxable goods, which means that 5 cents would be added to a $10 purchase. Sales tax is paid by everyone, including those who live outside our city.

Measure I will: put more police on the street, add more firefighters and paramedics, provide improved and safer streets, and improve our quality of life.

Approving the half-percent sales tax increase is critical to maintaining a wholesome, unique community.

s/ Richard Anderson, Business Owner
s/ Phil Plascencia, Retired Accountant
s/ Don Hillman, Former County Supervisor
s/ Brian Martinho, Business Owner
s/ Pat Hillman, Business Owner