Thirty Years of California Library Ballot Measures Presented by Richard B. Hall Library Consultant Assistance from Donna Corbeil Director, Berkeley Public Library

Preface 1996 Dr. Bruce Cain Study 1996 Dr. Bruce Cain Study Results of 2009 Survey Results of 2009 Survey Full Study on CSL Full Study on CSL Downloadable Excel Spreadsheet Downloadable Excel Spreadsheet Future Updates? Future Updates?

CA Ballot Measure Environment Survey includes Special & General Taxes Survey includes Special & General Taxes General Taxes = Simple Majority General Taxes = Simple Majority  May Fund Any Service Special Taxes = Supermajority Special Taxes = Supermajority  May Fund ONLY Specific Service

Overview 307 Ballot Measures in 30 Years 307 Ballot Measures in 30 Years  In 95 of 181 Library Jurisdictions CA: 54% of all Measures Passed CA: 54% of all Measures Passed  Compares poorly to 80% National Rate CA: AVG “Yes” Vote of 62% CA: AVG “Yes” Vote of 62%  Same as National AVG Why? – Supermajority Requirement Why? – Supermajority Requirement

7 Data Elements Collected Name of Library Jurisdiction Name of Library Jurisdiction Election Date Election Date Local Agency Authorizing Election Local Agency Authorizing Election Funding Purpose Funding Purpose Type of Tax Type of Tax Vote Requirement Vote Requirement Election Outcome Election Outcome

Sorted by Library Jurisdiction

Where were they Held? 50% in 17 Library Jurisdictions

Sorted by Local Agency Over 150 Local Agencies Over 150 Local Agencies

Sorted by Election Outcome California: 53.7% Passed California: 53.7% Passed 80% Passed Nationally 80% Passed Nationally

Sorted by “Yes” Vote Percentage Average 62.1% (Same as National) Average 62.1% (Same as National) Range from 29% to 93% Range from 29% to 93%

Sorted by Election Date 30 Years: From 2009 back to Years: From 2009 back to 1980

Slight Improvement Each Decade

Sorted by Funding Purpose Facilities, Operations, & Both Together Facilities, Operations, & Both Together

Most Measures for Operations Facilities had Highest Approval Rate Facilities had Highest Approval Rate Facilities & Operations Lowest Approval Rate Facilities & Operations Lowest Approval Rate

Sorted by Vote Requirement 72% of All Measures required a Supermajority 72% of All Measures required a Supermajority

Supermajority vs Simple Majority 45% of Supermajority Measures Passed 45% of Supermajority Measures Passed 77% of Simple Majority Measures Passed 77% of Simple Majority Measures Passed

Sorted by Type of Tax

9 Types of Taxes Benefit Assessment Benefit Assessment Business License Tax Business License Tax Excise Tax Excise Tax General Obligation Bond General Obligation Bond Parcel Tax Parcel Tax Sales Tax Sales Tax Special Tax Special Tax Transient Occupancy Tax Transient Occupancy Tax Utility User Tax Utility User Tax

Parcel Tax A parcel tax is generally one form of special tax that is applied uniformly on a per-parcel basis and not on an ad-valorem basis (in proportion to property value) like property taxes. It is established at a flat rate for each parcel type, e.g. residential or commercial, regardless of size or value of the property, or it may be levied according to some other formula such as acreage of the lot or number of bedrooms. A parcel tax is generally one form of special tax that is applied uniformly on a per-parcel basis and not on an ad-valorem basis (in proportion to property value) like property taxes. It is established at a flat rate for each parcel type, e.g. residential or commercial, regardless of size or value of the property, or it may be levied according to some other formula such as acreage of the lot or number of bedrooms.

Sales Tax Also known as a transaction and use tax, a sales tax is generally applied to the sale of goods and services usually as a percent of the cost of the transaction. The percentage is often described in terms of cents, i.e., a ½ cent sales tax (on every dollar expended). Also known as a transaction and use tax, a sales tax is generally applied to the sale of goods and services usually as a percent of the cost of the transaction. The percentage is often described in terms of cents, i.e., a ½ cent sales tax (on every dollar expended).

General Obligation Bond A general obligation (G.O.) bond is a debt financing instrument which is used to fund large capital facilities projects. In California, G.O. bonds must be approved by a ballot measure and are for a specific purpose such as to construct a new public library building. The issuance of G.O. bonds are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the funding agency. A general obligation (G.O.) bond is a debt financing instrument which is used to fund large capital facilities projects. In California, G.O. bonds must be approved by a ballot measure and are for a specific purpose such as to construct a new public library building. The issuance of G.O. bonds are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the funding agency.

Special Tax Generically, a special tax is levied for a specific purpose such as providing library services only. Special taxes “may be applied on a uniform basis to real property or on the basis of benefit, cost of providing services or other reasonable basis (Government code section ).”5 The use of the income from special taxes is limited to the specific program for which the tax is levied, and the proceeds must be placed in a separate account from the general fund. Generically, a special tax is levied for a specific purpose such as providing library services only. Special taxes “may be applied on a uniform basis to real property or on the basis of benefit, cost of providing services or other reasonable basis (Government code section ).”5 The use of the income from special taxes is limited to the specific program for which the tax is levied, and the proceeds must be placed in a separate account from the general fund.

Utility Users Tax A utility users tax is an excise tax levied on utility customers. In California, “Cities are empowered to levy taxes upon the use of utilities (such as electricity, gas, telephone, and cable television)....” 6 A utility users tax is an excise tax levied on utility customers. In California, “Cities are empowered to levy taxes upon the use of utilities (such as electricity, gas, telephone, and cable television)....” 6

Most Commonly Use Type of Tax Parcel Tax is Most 30% Parcel Tax is Most 30%

Success Rate by Type of Tax Utility Users Tax has Highest Approval Rate Utility Users Tax has Highest Approval Rate Not Statistically Significant Not Statistically Significant

Conclusion The Supermajority Requirement The Supermajority Requirement  45% Approval Rate for Special Taxes  77% Approval Rate for General Taxes Remarkable Consistency w/ Cain Study Remarkable Consistency w/ Cain Study  More In-depth Data & Analysis CA Library Referenda Campaigns CA Library Referenda Campaigns  Compares CA to National Data Future Data Collection? Future Data Collection?