South San Francisco passing housing measure, little one care tax failing | Native Information
South San Francisco voted for affordable public housing, with Measure AA leading by 4,371 votes, or 57.5%, while Measure DD passed a new tax on large corporations to fund child care for all children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 5 for residents and employees is 3,338 votes in favor, or 43.61%, behind semi-official results from the San Mateo County Electoral Bureau as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.
If election results pass, South San Francisco’s AA measure authorizes the city to acquire, develop or construct up to 1% of the total number of existing housing units annually for eight years. The city will be able to use its $120 million in a special housing fund from commercial connection fees to build 1% of the total number of existing housing units in the city. This corresponds to around 250 units per year, a total of around 2,000 units over the next eight years. The measure would overrule Article 34, a 70-year-old state law that says additional affordable housing units can only be built with public funds if passed by a voter initiative.
Councilor James Coleman believes the passage of Measure AA bodes well for an eventual repeal of Article 34 nationwide.
“The results are very clear that residents want to see affordable housing and affordable city-owned or mixed-income public housing, and now it’s up to our city leaders to deliver what residents want,” Coleman said, adding that If this is the case, the city has more tools on its tool belt when it comes to building affordable housing faster.
“Over $100 million in impact fees for city-owned affordable housing. I look forward to seeing ways in which that could happen,” he said.
South San Francisco’s DD measure attempted to provide universal early childhood care for families who live or work in the city by imposing an annual tax on large commercial offices that generates approximately $55.9 million annually.
In other elections, the cities of San Mateo, Burlingame and Millbrae appeared to pass a variety of tax measures, while Redwood City voters appeared to have agreed to amend the city’s bylaws to allow the mayor a one-year term to allow more council members to serve According to the semi-official results, San Bruno appeared to be limiting the tenure of its city council and separately elected mayor.
Belmont and Millbrae both proposed a temporary occupancy tax, both of which appear to be passed. Measure K at Belmont required only a majority to pass and has 3,205 votes or 78.98%. If passed, the measure will authorize a 14 percent hotel guest tax in the city that is estimated to bring in $600,000 a year, which will cover a budget deficit and be a continuous tax until voters end it. Measure N in Millbrae has a significant lead of 2,660 votes or 78.93% and will seek to increase hotel guest occupancy tax from 12% to 14%, generating approximately $1.5 million annually in locally controlled funds, to address the service, including funding for police and fire departments.
Burlingame appears to have passed a measure taxing marijuana delivery companies, raising business license fees by a vote of 3,620, or 75.42%, according to the semi-official results.
Measure X would tax 5% of gross marijuana sales and generate $2 to $4 million per year. Corporate royalties would increase from $100 for all Burlingame companies to $200-$750 based on a tiered annual income, with only 7% of Burlingame companies having to pay the higher amount if they bring in more than $1 million . It would generate about $2.5 million annually and relieve the city, which has lost $20 million in temporary occupancy taxes from its hotels during the pandemic.
Measures P and Z in Redwood City amend the charter for the city to reduce the mayor’s term from two years to one year, allowing more council members to serve as mayors, and bring the city charter in line with state law. Both appear to have a staggering lead of 6,292 votes, or 62.95%, and 8,450 votes, or 85.76%, respectively, according to semi-official results from the San Mateo County Electoral Bureau as of 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Action BB in San Bruno has a clear lead with 4,690 votes or 82.72%. It limits the tenure of the city council and separately elected mayor to no more than 12 consecutive years, according to the semi-official results.
Measure CC has a significant lead with 9,655 votes, or 71.84%, in San Mateo and intends to increase the San Mateo real estate transfer tax from 0.5% to 1.5% on sales over $10 million. The transfer tax is expected to raise about $4.8 million, and the city said the funds would be used for road repairs, parking improvements, emergency services and reducing traffic congestion. It would affect less than 1% of all properties sold or transferred in the city.
All results correspond to the semi-official results for Tuesday, November 8th, which included votes received in the mail through Friday, November 4th and all ballots received at polling centers. Subsequent results will include votes received after Saturday, November 5th. Wednesday 16th November, Thursday 17th November, Friday 18th November, Monday 21st November and Wednesday 23rd November. The results will be confirmed on December 8th.
