Arguments Due Monday for Six Local Measures

The deadline for filing arguments for or against six local measures called for the November 5, 2002 General Election is set for 5 p.m., Monday, July 22, according to the Santa Cruz County Elections Department.

The following questions will be before voters this November:

• Santa Cruz County Tourism Promotion – Transient Occupancy Surtax. Shall the Board of Supervisors be authorized to impose a special tax through enactment of an ordinance establishing a 1% surtax on rent charged to guests of hotels and other transient accommodations located within the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County, in addition to the amount now payable under the County’s existing Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax, for the purpose of protecting the local economy by the promotion of tourism in Santa Cruz County?

• City of Santa Cruz Tax on Hotel Occupants – Shall the City of Santa Cruz adopt an ordinance amending Section 3.28.030 of the Municipal Code by imposing a special one percent (1%) transient occupancy tax and dedicating the revenues from that special tax to the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council?

• City of Scotts Valley Utility Users Tax – To prevent reductions in general City services and programs, shall the existing utility users’ tax of 4% on electricity and gas utilities, established by the City in 1992, be affirmed and ratified fixing the rate of tax at 4% on all gas and electrical charges only? A "YES" vote on Measure _ is a vote to continue in place the Scotts Valley utility users tax at its present rate of 4% on electric and gas utilities. A "NO" vote on Measure _ is a vote to discontinue the existing Scotts Valley utility users tax.

• City of Watsonville Transient Occupancy Tax – Shall the City of Watsonville adopt an ordinance amending Section 3-6.303 of the Municipal Code by imposing a special one percent (1%) tax charged to guests of hotels and motels under the City's Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax Ordinance for the purpose of protecting the local economy by continuing tourism promotion?

• City of Watsonville Water Additives – Shall the City of Watsonville adopt an ordinance adding a new Section 6-3.443 to the Watsonville Municipal Code requiring that substances added to the public water supply in Watsonville satisfy two new standards: (a) have specific prior approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for specified purposes, and (b) be approved at maximum concentration levels not exceeding either the U. S. Maximum Contaminant Level Goals or California Public Health Goals, whichever is more restrictive?

• Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District – Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District Bond Measure. Shall the Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in a principal amount not exceeding $1,000,000 and bearing interest at rates within the legal limit, to assist in constructing a new fire station facility, pay costs related to bond issuance, and levy a special tax based on assessed valuation on taxable real property and improvements in the district to pay for the bonds and the cost of administering them?

Persons interested in filing arguments for or against the county measure or fire district measure may obtain additional information from the Santa Cruz County Elections Department. Arguments for and against these measures must be filed by 5 p.m., Monday, July 22 with the county elections official, 701 Ocean St., Room 210, Santa Cruz, 831-454-2060.

Persons interested in the city measures, must call their respective City Clerk’s Offices:

Santa Cruz City Clerk’s Office – 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, 831-420-5030; Scotts Valley City Clerk’s Office – 1 Civic Center Dr., Scotts Valley, 831-440-5602; and Watsonville City Clerk’s Office – 215 Union St., 2^nd Floor, Watsonville, 831-728-6005. Arguments for and against the city measures listed are also due by 5 p.m. Monday, July 22.

Arguments may not exceed 300 words. In addition, arguments must be accompanied by a signed "Signature Statement" form available from the elections official or online at www.votescount.com The form is contained in the "Guide to Writing Arguments" on the Elections Department’s website.

Only one argument for and one argument against the measure will be printed in the Voter’s Information Pamphlet of the Sample Ballot. Should more than one argument be filed, the elections official or City Clerk will choose one to appear in accordance with the law.

Letters to the measures will be assigned after August 9, which is the final day a jurisdiction may call for an election in November.

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For more information, please call the Santa Cruz County Elections Department at 831-454-2060, visit our office at 701 Ocean St., Room 210 in Santa Cruz, or check out our website at www.votescount.com.