2016 Capitola General Municipal Election

Final Official Election Results of the City of Capitola November 8, 2016, General Municipal Election:

The City Council will meet on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016, at 6:00 P.M. in the City Hall Council Chambers to recite the results of the election, administer oath of office of newly elected officials, recognize its outgoing elected officials, and reorganize its members by selecting a new Mayor and Vice Mayor. For more information regarding the results of the November 8, 2016, President General Election you may click on the Santa Cruz County Election website.

RESOLUTIONS REGARDING THE NOVEMBER 8, 2016, ELECTION

Resolution No. 4056 adopted on June 23, 2016, ordering an Election, Requesting County Elections to Conduct the Election, and Requesting Consolidation of the Presidential General Election in the City of Capitola on Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Resolution No. 4057 adopted on July 28, 2016, to add a Ballot Measure seeking voter authorization to extend the sunset date on an existing one-quarter cent (0.25%) transaction and use (“sales”) tax to maintain fiscal stability and protect essential city facilities and services (see link below to view Resolutions)

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES

The following persons have been declared as candidates for the two (2) City Council seats and one (1) City Treasurer to be voted upon at the Municipal Election on November 8, 2016 (FPPC = Fair Political Practices Commission):

Note: Candidate Statements are provided in links below (Ed Bottorff, Bob Edgren and Kristen Petersen; Peter Wilk did not provide a statement)

*Links to Filed Campaign Finance Reports and Forms are listed below.

CAPITOLA MEASURE F

On July 28, 2016, the City Council passed a resolution (link below) to place a ballot measure on the November 8, 2016, Municipal Election Ballot pertaining to extending the sunset date on the existing one-quarter cent (0.25%) transactions and use (“sales”) tax to maintain fiscal stability and protect essential City facilities and services. Following is the ballot measure question:

Without increasing taxes, shall the City of Capitola extend the 2017 sunset date of its current one-quarter percent sales tax for an additional ten years to protect essential city services and facilities, such as police and emergency safety programs, protect the wharf and beach from storms and rising sea levels and maintain and improve parks, sidewalks and bike lanes with all funds staying local?

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE F

Capitola is a wonderful place to live and visit. The many amenities that we enjoy here – the beach, Soquel Creek, our parks, our walking town, the Wharf and our safe community – they are all major parts of what we identify with as Capitolans.

Together we passed Measure D in 2008, a one-quarter cent sales tax, which generates about $1.1 million a year.  This tax will expire in 2017.  Today, we continue to have important needs, and we are asking you to vote to extend this tax for ten years. This measure will support the following important projects:

Refurbish the Wharf, originally built more than 150 years ago, to protect it and maintain it for future generations.

Preserve the beachfront, our creek, and lagoon from storms.

Ensure the Police Department is fully staffed, as has been achieved since the sales tax was first enacted.

Improve our parks, sidewalks and bike lanes.

Capitola’s population swells in the summertime and expenses for public safety and increased recreational activities skyrocket.  We need a fully staffed Police Department to ensure public safety year-round, including during periods of increased demand each summer. 

It is time for us to take care of the Wharf and beach for the next generation.  With sea level rise and a predicted increase in the frequency and intensity of storms, this is an important issue for us. The City budget includes funds for minor Wharf repairs, but major repairs are very expensive.

We want to provide our community with the highest level of service, PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT and ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY. This small tax is spread across a broad spectrum of people including tourists and visitors.

Please VOTE "YES" on this measure and help us continue to keep Capitola the wonderful place that it is.

Stephanie Harlan, Vice Mayor
Michael Termini, City Council Member
Carin Hanna, Business Owner/Craft Gallery
Rudy Escalante, Chief of Police
Gayle T. Ortiz, Vision Capitola

CITY ATTORNEY IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE F

In 2004, City voters approved a temporary ¼ percent sales tax (also known as the transaction and use tax) increase, which was originally scheduled to sunset on June 30, 2010. In 2008, City voters extended the sunset date to December 31, 2017. As a result of these two voter approvals the current sales tax rate in Capitola (combined state and other local sales tax) is 8 ¾ percent.  This ordinance, if adopted by the voters, would extend the expiration date of this temporary sales tax increase for an additional ten years, to December 31, 2027. 

All City revenue generated by this sales tax is used by the City to pay for general City programs and services, including public safety, wharf, beaches, parks, and street and sidewalk improvements.  As such, this ballot measure proposes a “general tax” rather than a “special tax” and requires a simple majority vote for adoption.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of the proposed sales tax increase ordinance.

Tony Condotti, City Attorney

IMPARTIAL FISCAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE F

The Capitola City Council has placed a measure on the November 8, 2016 ballot, asking voters to approve an extension of the current one-quarter of one percent (0.25 percent) Measure D transaction and use tax (approved in 2008) for ten years. If passed by a simple majority of the voters voting on the measure, the Ordinance would expire automatically on December 31, 2027, unless further extended by the voters.

It is estimated that the ten-year extension will generate approximately $1.1 million annually for a total over ten years of $11 million. The actual amount of revenue will vary based on economic conditions, growth or declines in the sales tax base, and inflation.

The revenue generated will fund general governmental purposes including wharf and beach maintenance, police services, and bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements. Annual audits showing where the revenue was spent will be conducted and made available to the public.

Mark Welch, Finance Director

CAPITOLA CANDIDATES FORUM

Following is the video link to the  the October 5, 2016, Capitola Chamber of Commerce sponsored Candidates Forum Capitola Candidates Forum 

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS

The Registrar of Voters is the County Elections Official and the office conducts all Federal, State, County, Municipal, School District, and Special District scheduled and special elections. The ROV Office is also responsible for voter registration, education and outreach; maintenance of registration files; verification of initiatives, referenda and recall petitions; and filing of campaign reports.

701 Ocean Street, Rm. 210, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Open Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Phone 831-454-2060
General: P.O. Box 611360, Capitola, CA  95161-1360
Website:  http://www.votescount.com/

ALL NOTICES AND PRESS RELEASES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH LINKS BELOW