Fail: 16005 / 55.9% Yes votes ...... 12603 / 44.0% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The expired benefit assessment was in the base amount of $12 per dwelling unit (with adjustments for apartments and mobile homes). The annual special tax proposed by this measure would be at the base rate of $15 on
(1) each parcel of improved property (both residential and non-residential),
(2) each parcel of vacant residential property up to 2.5 acres in size, and on
(3) each parcel of vacant multi-residential land, as defined in the County Assessor's use codes, except that the amount of the tax on property developed with multi-family residential dwelling units (excluding time shares) would be calculated at 80% of the base rate multiplied by the number of units (i.e., $12 per unit), and the tax on property developed as mobile home parks would be calculated at 50% of the base rate multiplied by the number of mobile homes (i.e., $7.50 per mobile home). The tax will not be imposed on schools, churches or cemeteries. The amount of the special tax will be increased annually in proportion to any increase in the Consumer Price Index, with the limitation that the annual increase cannot exceed 3% in any year. The special tax on single family residences shall not exceed $23.00 per year. The special tax will be imposed for a period of 15 years, after which it will no longer be collected.

The special tax will be collected beginning in fiscal year 2006-2007 and will be listed as a separate item on the county property tax bill for each parcel of land, and will be collected in the same way as the general property tax. All laws applicable to the levy, collection, and enforcement of county property taxes, including provisions for penalties and procedure for sale of the property in case of delinquency, shall also apply to the special tax.

Beginning in fiscal year 2006-2007, if the special tax is approved by the voters, the Board of Supervisors is required annually to budget and allocate from the county's general funds a sum equal to or greater than the special tax collected annually, to be used for the operation of the county library system.

This measure requires an affirmative vote of 2/3 or more of all voters voting on the measure in order to pass.

A "YES" vote is a vote in favor of the special tax provided in the measure.

A "NO" vote is a vote against the special tax provided in the measure.

s/ Louis B. Green, County Counsel

Measure L is not a new tax. It simply replaces a small parcel fee that's been in place for the past ten years, which expired six months ago, hurting our libraries.

Measure L provides the funding to keep our County Main Library and Pollock Pines Branch Library open and operating. It lets us:
- Buy new books and learning materials
- Provide "story times" and summer reading programs for our children
- Restore adult literacy programs
- Provide homework help for local students
- Purchase computers for public use

Measure L funds can only be used to improve and operate our libraries -- guaranteed. They cannot be diverted to other programs. Measure L only applies to improved parcels and vacant residential parcels, and requires the county to match 100% of the revenue raised.

Measure L's small $15 assessment is no more than other county property owners pay for their libraries. El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park residents pay $25 per parcel, while Georgetown and South Lake Tahoe residents pay $15.

Without Measure L, our libraries will suffer. Since the assessment ended this year, our library's hours have already been cut by over half and no new books have been purchased. This is not a threat to punish or scare voters. is economic reality. Our libraries need Measure L.

Measure L is a good investment in our community. Libraries enrich the quality of our lives, increase local property values and are a wonderful resource for our children, seniors and all the people of El Dorado County.

Please make sure our children have a place to read and learn. Keep our libraries open by voting Yes on Measure L.

s/Doug Veerkamp, Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Inc.
s/Jeff Neves, El Dorado County Sheriff
s/Joe Harn, El Dorado County Auditor-Controller
s/Vicki Barber, President, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce
s/Greg Boeger, Boeger Winery, Inc.

When special parcel taxes are proposed for popular programs, it allows the taxes already collected to be diverted to programs many people would never vote to support. For the proponents of this tax to say that Measure L monies can only be spent on libraries begs the question of + where did the original tax monies go?

This tax begins at $15 per year, but its built-in yearly escalator can drive it to over $22. The old tax was a flat $12.00 for the 10-year period which most of the signers of the argument against Measure L supported. This measure however goes beyond fairness when it proposes to tax vacant land for services they will never use. This shell game should be stopped to prevent other popular county programs from being cut back, only to have "special taxes" imposed to maintain them. Whenever the voters permit such actions, they are failing to encourage officials to make wise use of existing taxpayer money.

Re-authorization of the old tax on improved parcels probably would have had little or no opposition.

Please vote No and ask the county to come up with an equitable funding mechanism.

s/ Bernard Carlson, Taxpayers for Responsible Government
s/ David Davinroy, Foreman, 2004 El Dorado County Grand Jury
s/ Richard E. Akin, Rancher + Property Owner
s/ John L. Haubner
s/ Byron Mobus, Property Owner

Before deciding this issue, look at the 2006 property tax bill you just received. Many tax bills include over ten special levies or assessments, everything from waste disposal to special school building funds. Whatever happened to the spirit of Proposition 13?

This ballot measure is just plain wrong for many reasons! It is nearly the same issue that failed in the March election that they're running by us again. Should it pass, however, we'll be stuck with this inappropriate funding scheme for fifteen years. Does that make sense?

Again, like the March issue, this tax bill applies to almost all parcels, even some vacant lots or cattle grazing land, not just those parcels with homes like the 1995 measure. The 1995 measure was effectively a "user fee." Where's the connection here to library usage? Fair? Of course not!

We urge you to vote "NO" on Measure L and send this library funding issue back to the Board of Supervisors where it belongs.

s/Richard E. Akin, Rancher, Property Owner
s/Elwin F. Veerkamp, Retired
s/Ellen Day, President, Taxpayers Association
s/Bernard Carlson, President, Taxpayers for Responsible Government
s/Byron Mobus, Property Owner

If you truly cherish our libraries, you will vote Yes on Measure L. Measure L simply replaces a small parcel fee that's been in place for the past ten years, so our libraries can stay open and fully operating. Measure L asks for only $15 per year to keep our library doors open, no more than other county property owners already pay for their libraries. Measure L is a fair way to ensure library funding. Without Measure L, our libraries cannot operate.

Measure L would affect improved parcels - those with homes, offices, stores, warehouses and factories. It would also assess vacant residential parcels up to 2.5 acres. Vacant parcels zoned for timber, agriculture or cattle grazing will not be taxed.

Open libraries improve all property values. Libraries are a good investment in our community.

That's why Measure L is strongly supported by farmers, business people, educators, elected officials, public safety officers, senior citizens and hundreds of respected community members.

Great communities need great libraries. We should settle for nothing less.

Please join us in voting Yes for Libraries. Vote Yes on Measure L.

s/Gael Barsotti, Barsotti Juice Company
s/Patty Borelli, Business Owner
s/Ann B. McQuillen, Real Estate Broker
s/Gordon Vicini, Joe Vicini, Inc.
s/Cecil Wetsel, CJ Enterprises