American citizens residing in San Mateo County will vote on several critical issues that will soon impact their lives and those of their community, so it is important to know which ballot measures they will vote on or against this Tuesday, November 8.
Measures to be voted on in each city of San Mateo County
Belmont ‒ Measure K
Measure K proposes a two-percentage-point adjustment to the transient occupancy tax, or “hotel tax” rate, from 12 percent to 14 percent. This assessment would be paid by guests when they stay at hotels or lodging facilities in Belmont for less than 30 days. If enacted, the funds raised would be used to provide funding for general City services, such as repairing potholes, streets and sidewalks; maintaining 911 emergency response times; keeping public areas healthy, safe and clean; and maintaining senior services, including health, nutrition and transportation programs. Learn more by clicking here.
East Palo Alto ‒ Measure L
The measure seeks to give rental property owners a 1.5 to 2.5 percent business tax increase that cannot be passed on to tenants. If approved, the money raised annually would be used to fund affordable housing programs, provide rental support for tenants and protect local residents from displacement and homelessness. Learn more by clicking here.
Bayshore Elementary School District - Measure M
The proposal seeks to renew the Bayshore Elementary School District's parcel tax of $96 per parcel for eight years with exemptions for seniors and the disabled and annual adjustments. The adjustment could raise approximately $160,000 annually that would be directed toward maintaining proficiency in science, math, reading and writing; attracting and retaining quality teachers; and integrating modern technology for future student success. Learn more by clicking here.
Millbrae ‒ Measure N
Measure N seeks to increase the transient occupancy tax paid by visitors staying at Millbrae hotels and other short-term lodging by 2 percent, from 12 percent to 14 percent, beginning in January 2023. The potential additional $1.5 million would allow the city to direct funds toward general city services such as repairing potholes and streets, maintaining neighborhood/downtown police patrols, improving recreational programs/parks, attracting new businesses, and improving disaster response. Learn more by clicking here.
Brisbane ‒ Measure O
The measure seeks to adopt an ordinance imposing a business license tax on hotels and other places designed to accommodate overnight guests of $2.50 per room for each day that the room is rented, generating approximately $250,000 annually that would be used to pay general municipal expenses. Learn more by clicking here.
Brisbane ‒ Measure U
The proposed question is a measure by the City of Brisbane to fund City services/facilities, such as police patrols, fire prevention services, urban wildfire protection, crime suppression/investigation, pothole/street repair, parks and other City facilities, and to support other City services, by imposing a half-cent sales tax, generating approximately $2 million annually until determined by voters. Learn more by clicking here.
Redwood City ‒ Measure P
The measure seeks an amendment to the Redwood City Mayor's Charter to shorten the mayor's term from two years to one year, in order to allow more Councilmembers to serve as Mayor during their tenure on the City Council.
Redwood City ‒ Measure Z
This measure seeks to amend the City of Redwood City's Charter of Election Procedures to align the date of municipal elections with the state election, clarify the date by which Redwood City elections must be certified and City Council members must be sworn in, and the provision for the election of City Council members. Learn more about both measures by clicking here.
Redwood City School District ‒ Measure S
The measure seeks to improve local elementary and secondary schools by repairing and upgrading science, technology, engineering, arts and math classrooms/labs; making safety/security improvements; improving inadequate heating, cooling and electrical systems; and constructing and acquiring sites/facilities. It authorizes $298 million in bonds at legal rates, raising $24 per $100,000 of assessed home value. Learn more by clicking here.
Pacifica ‒ Measure Q
The measure asks voters whether the city should amend its municipal code to prohibit the ignition, use, discharge or sale of all state-approved fireworks in the city. Learn more by clicking here.
Pacifica - Measure Y
The measure would establish a sales tax of $0.005 for general government use and generate about $2.6 million annually for 9 years to maintain vital city services such as police, fire, 911 emergency medical response; keep trash off beaches; attract/retain jobs/businesses; pave streets; maintain storm drains to prevent flooding; and prevent coastal erosion. Learn more by clicking here.
La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District - Measure R
The measure would allow the La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District to issue up to $15 million in bonds to improve educational facilities, funded by an annual property tax of $60 per $100,000 of assessed home value, while the bonds are outstanding with an annual levy of $1 million. Learn more by clicking here.
South San Francisco School District ‒ Measure T
The measure would allow the South San Francisco School District to issue up to $436 million in bonds that would levy an annual property tax of 0.06 cents per $100 of assessed home value while the bonds are outstanding. The $27 million raised annually would be used to improve and modernize school facilities, repair or replace deteriorating plumbing and sewer systems and leaky roofs, and replace heating and ventilation systems, among other things. Learn more by clicking here.
South San Francisco – Measure AA
This measure calls for South San Francisco to be authorized to develop, construct, and acquire affordable, decent, and safe rental housing for low-income persons, in an amount up to 1 percent of the total number of existing housing units in the city for a period of 8 years. Learn more by clicking here.
South San Francisco ‒ Measurement DD
The measure seeks to authorize an annual parcel tax of $2.50 per square foot of parcel size on commercial office lots, with revenue earmarked to fund early learning and child care for families living and working in the South San Francisco Unified School District. The tax would generate about $55.9 million annually, with no automatic expiration date. Learn more by clicking here.
Menlo Park ‒ Measure V
The citizen-sponsored initiative measure seeks to amend the land use element of the general plan to prohibit the Menlo Park City Council from redesignating or zoning certain properties for detached single-family dwellings. Learn more by clicking here.
Sequoia Union High School District ‒ Measure W
The measure seeks authorization for the Sequoia Union High School District to issue $591 million in bonds to repair and improve local high school infrastructure and classrooms, raising $14 for every $100,000 of assessed home value while the bonds are outstanding. Learn more by clicking here.
Burlingame ‒ Measure X
This measure supports updating Burlingame’s business licenses, with fees ranging from $200 to $750 and 5 percent of gross receipts for cannabis businesses, with revenue to fund city services. The measure would generate approximately $2.5 million annually and would be used to repair streets and sidewalks, improve crime prevention, bury power lines and for other general government uses. Learn more by clicking here.
San Bruno ‒ Measure BB
The measure seeks to limit service on the City Council or as mayor to no more than 12 consecutive years. Learn more by clicking here.
San Mateo ‒ Measure CC
The measure would increase the existing real estate transfer tax rate for properties sold for $10 million or more from 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent. The proposal would generate approximately $4.8 million annually to be used for general city services such as street repair, parks and recreation, fire protection, emergency response, crime prevention, and improving intersections, sidewalks and bike lanes for safety and reducing traffic congestion. Learn more by clicking here.
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