1,371 / 50.4% Yes votes ...... 1,348 / 49.6% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

City Council must conduct duly noticed public hearing on proposed tax after adoption of annual budget. Tax may not exceed the total amount of expenditures necessary to provide adequate levels of municipal services, as determined by the City Council, after deducting the projected revenue to be gathered from sources other than the Special Tax.

Tax on individual parcels may not, however, exceed in any year the amounts set forth in Section 4 of the proposed ordinance.

Tax will be a lien on individual parcels and may be collected by the Town or the County Tax Collector at the option of the City Council.

Any monies raised by this Special Tax may be used only for said municipal services. In accordance with Article XIIIB of the California Constitution, all revenues received in a fiscal year and the fiscal year following it in excess of the Town's appropriations limit during that fiscal year and the fiscal year immediately following it shall be returned by a revision of tax rates or fee schedules within the next two subsequent fiscal years.

Authority to levy this tax will commence with the tax year 2000-2001 and will expire with the tax year 2003-2004, and may only be amended or repealed by a two-thirds vote.

/s/ Robin D. Faisant City Attorney Town of Atherton

Palo Alto Weekly

• Atherton seeks tax to avert financial crisis

Recognizing property taxes alone could not support out town, in 1980 residents enacted a special tax devoted entirely to funding city services. A two-thirds YES vote on Measure C will continue this tax for four years at its present level. The necessity of the special tax is clear. Of every regular property tax dollar, Atherton only receives ten cents. Unlike other cities, our town does not have commercial development generating business taxes to supplement property taxes. Instead, we must principally rely upon the special tax, every dollar of which remains in our town to help pay for basic city services.

The special tax will account for 24 percent of this year's budgeted revenues. Simply put, if residents do not continue the special tax, the town will lose these revenues. Reductions would necessarily follow in such ongoing programs as roadwork patching and paving, drainage improvements, as well as in the town's staff. As the largest number of employees are in the police department, most staff reductions would necessarily occur among police employees. Atherton's quality of life would be diminished .

While Measure C would continue the maximum special tax for a one acre parcel at $750, the same level voters approved in the November 1995 election, prudent fiscal management has resulted in assessments under this authorized cap. Recognizing that residents should not have to pay any more in taxes than necessary, the City Council has maintained the special tax at $650 while balancing the town's budget within existing revenues and without using the town's financial reserves. In fact, the quality of existing town services, including that of the police department, will be maintained this year with a slightly smaller budget than last year.

We strongly urge you to vote YES on Measure C to maintain the quality of Atherton's public services.

/s/ Nanette F. Chapman Mayor December 17, 1999

/s/ Dianne M. Fisher Vice-Mayor December 17, 1999

/s/ Alan B. Carlson Council Member December 17, 1999

/s/ Malcolm H. Dudley Council Member December 20, 1999

New tax revenues should not be authorized until a new, competent City Manager has been appointed, and management and fiscal reforms have been implemented.

/s/ Sandy Crittenden December 28, 1999 Atherton Voters Against Special Tax Measure C

Today little has changed. The Council is undertaking studies to determine where they went wrong and what can be done to avoid these blunders again. They have requested numerous studies in the past. When the finding were reported they gave a courteous nod then put the study on the shelf ignoring the findings or taking any action. The residents want action now. They want to see changes that will put the Town back on track, not promises that something will be done.

To review the town's procedures and finances properly and then to institute corrective action takes time, more time than this election permits.

Before the election in November, the Council will have the opportunity to act on the recommendations that are forthcoming. Until then, if additional funds are needed the Town reserves can be used, to maintain essential services. Currently, the town reserves are significantly over the State's recommended minimum balance. These reserves are sufficient to maintain the current budget for the two year without any Special Tax and still maintain the minimum balance.

The residents want actions from the Council, not promises. The Council is on the correct path to recovery provided they act on the forthcoming recommendations. There isn't enough time before the March election to review properly and to implement the changes needed. The November election is the time to vote on any tax, provided the Council acts to restore confidence and trust. Until then, a very small portion of the Town's reserves can be used to make up any shortage of funds for critical services.

/s/ Sandy Crittenden December 10, 1999 Atherton Voters Against Special tax Measure C

Our dependence on a voter approved special tax every 4 years requires that we have a higher level of reserves than other cities that enjoy the luxury of predictable income from diverse sources such as sales, hotel, business, and other taxes. If Measure C is not passed until November, we will have to deplete our reserves by 50% to cover revenue loss while merely providing the current level of services for the fiscal year 2000-2001. Additionally, should the Special Tax fail, our reserves would be totally decimated by June 2002.

The City Council has worked diligently to provide the service level expected by our residents and, at the same time, to maintain a balanced budget. This year's budget was slightly less than last year's.

Please help us preserve our very special community.

Vote Yes on Measure C.

/s/ Nanette F. Chapman Mayor December 30, 1999

/s/ Dianne M. Fisher Vice-Mayor December 30, 1999

/s/ Alan B. Carlson Council Member December 30, 1999

/s/ Malcolm H. Dudley Council Member December 30, 1999