Tom Warne Report, 17 November 2013
In This Report
Editor’s Note: Each year we dedicate this issue of The Tom Warne Report to the most recent election cycle and the ballot initiatives that were placed before the voters. Over the years the results have been an interesting barometer of public sentiment in general and more specifically regarding transportation. The historic passage rate for transportation referendums is high as noted in our records of major initiatives:
2012-67%
2011-70%
2010-69%
2009-55%
2008-69%
2007-63%
2006-63%This year we followed 22 ballot initiatives of which 16 passed or 72%. It is a telling story to look at each of these initiatives. For example, the community of Fountain Hills Arizona increased its’ annual budget nearly 30 percent, the bulk of which was for transportation improvements. In the official argument for the GO bond question, specific improvements were identified, and it appears the voting citizens agreed by voting 2:1 in favor. Those wishing to follow successful initiatives can look to these examples of what works and what doesn’t. JN
2013 Election Monitoring
|
STATE
|
CITY
|
SUMMARY |
Election DATE |
OUTCOME |
|
AZ |
Mesa |
Mesa will issue a bond of $79,100,000 to provide funds to plan, design, acquire, construct, reconstruct and improve the City’s streets, highways, bridges, street lights, pedestrian improvements, multi-use path and trail improvements, other vehicular and multi-modal transportation improvements, and acquire land and interests in land thereof. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 56%-44% |
|
AZ |
Fountain Hills |
Fountain Hills’ voters will also decide on road bonds. Question 1 on the ballot would authorize the town to increase its debt by $8.2 million through general obligation bonds. The community located northeast of Scottsdale would use the money to pay for transportation and street upgrades. Specifically, the funds would be used to rebuild Saguaro Boulevard. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 67%-33% |
|
AZ |
Scottsdale |
Ballots in Scottsdale will include four questions asking voters to increase the debt for city services in four areas. Question 4 on the local ballot covers $99 million in transportation improvements throughout the city. Projects that would benefit include improving access to state Route 101, upgrading traffic signals for the north-south freeway and bridge upgrades |
November 5, 2013 |
LOSS: Failed, 38%-62% |
|
AZ |
El Monte |
Voters in the city of El Monte chose to renew a one-half percent “transactions and use” tax for five years. The tax will continue to provide revenue to support essential public services including street repairs and lighting. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 71%-29% |
|
CA |
Rohnert Park |
In the San Francisco area, voters in Rohnert Park decided to maintain a sales tax rate of 9.5 percent. The state gets 7.5 percent of the sales tax with county and local governments claim the rest. Measure A was approved by a 68 to 32 percent margin. As a result, one-half percent sales tax, or 50 cents per $100 purchase, will be renewed to benefit work that includes street paving and pothole repair in the community located off the 101 Freeway. The fee was scheduled to sunset in 2015. The tax now can continue to be collected unless the city council decides to end it. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 68%-32% |
|
CA |
San Rafael |
By a 65-35 percent margin, voters in the city of San Rafael decided to renew a 0.5 percent sales tax and add another 0.25 percent to benefit the city’s general fund. The taxes will be collected for 20 years. Implemented in 2005, the tax raises about $7 million annually for repairing city streets and maintaining emergency services. Approval of Measure E on the ballot will put the total sales tax rate at 9.25 percent. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: 65%-35% |
|
CA |
Lakespur |
About 75 percent of voters in nearby Larkspur backed a ballot question to determine whether another 0.5 percent will be added to the 8.5 percent sales tax rate. Measure C will supply the city with revenue for local streets and roads for five years. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 75%-25% |
|
CA |
Corte Madera |
Voters in Corte Madera supported a question about whether to increase the city’s 8.5 percent sales tax rate to 9 percent. Approval of Measure B was approved by two-thirds of voters. As a result, another 0.5 percent from the sales tax will be provided to address local needs that include street repairs. The community off the 101 Freeway will be charged the higher tax rate for six years. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 70%-30% |
|
ME |
Statewide |
$100,000,000 bond issue for reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and for facilities or equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation and transit, to be used to match an estimated $154,000,000 in federal and other funds |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 72%-28% |
|
MI |
Kalamazoo County |
A 0.4 mills renewal for the purpose of providing public transportation services within Kalamazoo County. It is estimated that the levy renewal would raise $3,089,900 in the first year.
|
MAY 7, 2013 |
WIN Passed, 72%-28% |
|
MI |
Escanaba Township |
A 0.5 mill, five-year levy to support the Delta Area Transit Authority. DATA currently only receives financial support from the cities of Gladstone and Escanaba. |
August 6, 2013 |
LOSS: Failed, 43%-57% |
|
MI |
Wells Township |
A 0.5 mill, five-year levy to support the Delta Area Transit Authority. DATA currently only receives financial support from the cities of Gladstone and Escanaba. |
August 6, 2013 |
LOSS: Failed, 39%-61%
|
|
MI |
Schoolcraft County |
A 0.87 mill increase for five years to support continued operations and expanded services for Schoolcraft County Public Transit. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 68%-32% |
|
MT |
Missoula |
A mill levy increase to provide specific improvements to Mountain Line bus service. This includes increased bus frequency and extended evening service on several high-use routes and increased van service for seniors and the disabled.This is the first financing vote for Mountain Line in more than 35 years. The levy is expected to generate $1.7 million annually. Agency election info: http://www.mountainline.com/about-mountain-line/2013-mill-levy-2/ |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 57%-43% |
|
NC |
Raleigh |
A $75 million transportation bond to fund capital projects throughout the city. Projects: http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/749394-2013-transportation-bond-projects.html#document/p1
|
October 8, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 70%-30% |
|
OH |
|
A five-year, 0.04 mill property tax increase for Lorain County Transit. It is expected to generate $246,000 annually. The funding could be used for expansion, maintenance or operations and is expected to serve as a match for federal dollars. Lorain County is the largest county in the state without dedicated transit revenue. |
May 7, 2013 |
LOSS: Failed, 41%-59% |
|
OH |
Perrysburg |
After the approval of Measure 3-401 in 2012, which requires countywide voter approval for spending on rail projects, two light rail questions must got before voters. Both questions are essentially advisory as previously approved contracts already commit the county to action. 1. Whether to approve the transfer of two small land parcels to TriMet, sign an agreement that allows TriMet to maintain and operate the line and fund road improvements. 2. Whether to exchange a portion of the Trolley Trail from River Road in Milwaukie to Park Avenue in Oak Grove with TriMet
|
May 7, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 72%-28% |
|
OH |
Spencer Township |
RTA Participation/Creation Voters are again being asked whether they support withdrawal from TARTA. A similar measure last November was turned down by nearly 60% of voters. |
November 5, 2013 |
LOSS: Passed, 51%-49% |
|
OH |
Lake County |
A .25 percent set aside from the Lake County sales tax that will generate 60 percent to 65 percent of the public transit authority’s annual operating budget. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 71%-29% |
|
OR |
Clackamas County |
After the approval of Measure 3-401 in 2012, which requires countywide voter approval for spending on rail projects, two light rail questions must go before voters. Both questions are essentially advisory as previously approved contracts already commit the county to action. 1. Whether to approve the transfer of two small land parcels to TriMet, sign an agreement that allows TriMet to maintain and operate the line and fund road improvements. 2. Whether to exchange a portion of the Trolley Trail from River Road in Milwaukie to Park Avenue in Oak Grove with TriMet |
May 21, 2013 |
|
|
WA |
Grays Harbor County |
A 0.1% sales tax increase to support operations, maintenance, and capital needs for Grays Harbor Transit. Due to a severe budget shortfall, the transit board voted in July 2013 to cut weekend service, transfers and increase fares. The tax increase is expected to generate $855,000 annually for the agency. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 71%-29% |
|
WA |
Okanogan County |
A 0.4 percent sales tax to support the creation of the Okanogan County Transit Authority (OCTA), which would provide regular bus service between communities within the county. The measure is expected to generate $2 million annually. |
November 5, 2013 |
WIN: Passed, 56%-44% |
Primary sources for this election information are the Center for Transportation Excellence and Land Line Magazine.