On the November General Election ballot, there are two school bonds, U and V, and Measure W, an extension of the Measure E one cent city sales tax that 58 percent of voters approved in 2012. All of these measures will be discussed during the second “Use Your Voice” forum on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Hollister City Council Chambers, 375 Fifth St.
BenitoLink and the San Benito County Farm Bureau are co-sponsoring the forum, in conjunction with media partner CMAP-TV, which will broadcast the forum live during the event on BenitoLink’s homepage and on cable Channel 17.
The tax extension is being spearheaded by Carol Lenoir and Cheryl Mullen of the Campaign for Hollister Measure W Support. The Hollister Police Officers Association (HPOA) contributed $7,000 toward the organization and arguments in favor of the measure were filed by the Hollister Firefighters Association, the HPOA, the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and San Benito County PAL (Police Activities League). While some individuals in the community have expressed concerns about Measure W, there is no known organized opposition at this time.
If the measure is not approved by a majority of voters, the existing sales tax would no longer be collected after March 31, 2018. If it is approved, it would run through March 31, 2038. The sales tax that city leaders hope to extend brings in approximately $4.5 million annually to the city’s General Fund, nearly 67 percent of which is used for public safety (police, fire and animal control services).
To read the description of Measure W from the voter information guide provided by the San Benito County Elections Office, click here.
City Manager Bill Avera posted on the city’s website about the measure, the text of which is below:
“I wanted to update residents with factual information about Measure W, a no tax increase public safety and essential city services measure on the November 2016 ballot.
“Local funding, passed by voters several years ago, has provided the resources for Hollister to provide key services, like public safety,” he wrote. “While the City has been able to adopt a balanced budget, current local funding is also scheduled to expire. Without continued local funding, the city will need to consider reducing essential city services such as police, fire response, senior programs and the maintenance of local roads and parks.
“To address these budget issues on August 1st, the Hollister City Council unanimously voted to place Measure W on the November 2016 ballot for voter consideration. If enacted, Measure W would prevent cuts and maintain the current public services that residents need by simply extending the existing local funding with no increase in tax rate.
“Measure W includes strict accountability measures including independent annual audits and citizens oversight. None of the funds can be taken by the state.
“If approved by voters, all funds from Measure W would stay in Hollister to attract and retain qualified police officers and firefighters, prevent cuts to youth gang and drug prevention and intervention programs, support programs to retain, expand, and attract business to Hollister, and other essential city services.
“We encourage Hollister residents to participate in the November 2016 election. If you have not yet registered to vote, you can now register online securely at: registertovote.ca.gov.”
The city pointed out on its website some typical concerns residents might ask questions about:
Q: What is the issue?
A: Local funding, passed by voters several years ago, has provided the resources for Hollister to provide key services, like public safety. While the City has been able to adopt a balanced budget, current local funding is also scheduled to expire. Without continued local funding the City will need to consider reducing essential city services such as police, fire response, senior programs and the maintenance of local roads and parks.
Q: What is Measure W?
A: To address these budget issues on August 1st, the Hollister City Council unanimously voted to place Measure W on the November 2016 ballot for voter consideration. If enacted, Measure W would prevent cuts and maintain the current public services that residents need by simply extending the existing local funding with no increase in tax rate.
Q: If enacted, how much funding would Measure W continue to provide?
A: If adopted by voters, Measure W would continue to provide 20 percent or $4.5 million of Hollister’s General Fund Budget. Without continuing local funding at the existing rate, Hollister will be forced to make significant cuts to City services which could increase critical emergency response times and affect the City’s ability to maintain the locally-run fire department.
Q: How would Measure W address public safety needs?
A: If adopted by voters, Measure W will help maintain 9-1-1 emergency response times so people suffering from heart attacks, strokes, or other medical emergencies receive the basic life support they need to increase their chance for survival. Without continued funding Hollister will be forced to reduce police and firefighter positions, further increasing 9-1-1 emergency response times.
Q: Would Measure W address street and road maintenance?
A: Yes. Our residents commute to work and need to have safe streets on which to drive. If enacted, Measure W would provide funds to maintain and improve our local roads. It will cost less to repair and maintain streets and roads now as opposed to the future.
Q: What services will Measure W address?
A: If enacted, Measure W would continue to address the following community priorities, including:
• Maintaining rapid emergency response times
• Maintaining operations at all current Hollister fire stations
• Attracting and retaining qualified police officers and firefighters
• Preventing cuts to youth gang and drug prevention and intervention programs
• Maintaining water conservation programs
• Maintaining youth programs at City parks and recreation centers
• Supporting programs to retain, expand, and attract business to Hollister
Q: Is Measure W fiscally accountable?
A: Yes. Measure W includes strict accountability measures including independent annual audits and citizens oversight. All funds from Measure W would stay in Hollister to attract and retain qualified police officers and firefighters, prevent cuts to youth gang and drug prevention and intervention programs, support programs to retain, expand, and attract business to Hollister, and other essential city services. None of the funds can be taken by the state.
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