- Denise Rockenstein
- Posted On
Measure R Committee plans campaign for sales tax measure
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Yes on Measure R Committee is developing a walking campaign to provide voters with information regarding the sales tax initiative for the city of Clearlake, and to seeks proponents who would like to volunteer their assistance.
The committee meets at 5 p.m. every Thursday at Main Street Bar & Grill on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
Measure R proposes a half-cent specific sales and use tax to be used for clean up and improvements across Clearlake.
A successful initiative is estimated to generate $760,000 annually to fund a Problem Oriented Solving Team (POST) to specifically address code enforcement, animal control and crime reduction.
The proposed expenditure plan for the POST in 2015-16 allocates anticipated revenues as follows: team personnel, $240,000; animal control, $142,000; training, $15,000; materials/supplies/vehicle(s), $60,000; contract services (towing), $40,000; abatement, $100,000; and contingency for cost allocation and other potential costs (I.e. legal expenses, noticing, community clean up day), $163,000.
According to Clearlake City Manager Joan Phillipe, the allocation for abatement would act as “seed money” and abatement expenses would be placed on the property tax rolls.
The measure includes a 10-year sunset clause that is to be reviewed at five years to determine if should be lowered to a quarter-cent.
Measure R also requires the formation of an oversight committee for annual review of expenditures.
The committee spearheading the “Yes on Measure R – For a Cleaner Clearlake” campaign seeks assistance in educating voters on the facts of the November ballot measure.
About a dozen people attended the initial meeting held on Aug. 28, contributing funds to initiate its signage efforts.
Additionally, the committee has established a Facebook page for the purpose of providing information to the public and answering its questions in regard to the measure.
Committee member Gina Fortino Dickson, who clarified her involvement as a private citizen, not as Clearlake's vice mayor, said the page is not to be used as a forum for debate.
For information regarding how to assist with the Yes on Measure R campaign, contact Vicki Leonard, committee secretary, at 707-994-5922.
Campaign contributions may be made directly at Westamerica Bank; or sent, payable/attention to “Yes on Measure R,” PO Box 2163, Clearlake, CA 95422.
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