Contra Costa Taxpayers Association

MARCH 5, 2023 Ballot Positions

STATE MEASURES

Proposition 1:  The Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act and Behavioral Health Services Act.

The one Statewide Measure, a lengthy measure combining an Assembly Bill and Senate Bill provides a use by right and subject to streamlined ministerial review process, not requiring conditional use permits or other discretionary local government review, and not requiring CEQA review for these behavioral health services.  The Act authorizes $6,380,000,000 (Billion) in Bonds to be issued for Mental Health Treatment facilities and substance use disorders and supportive housing for veterans and the homeless. This measure will set new standards with new or renamed agencies and statewide policy oversight and compliance committees. It may provide funding for involuntary treatment in institutional facilities.

The measure will reduce local county funding which is being transferred to the State for hiring a qualified behavioral health work force to implement the measure. 

The criteria set by the state will limit the ability of the counties to address their local needs for mental health services and reduce local funds by redirecting the funds to the state.

  Contra Costa Measures

CITY or AGENCY	Measure	DESCRIPTION	Needed to Pass	CoCoTax POSITION
ANTIOCH USD	B	ANTIOCH USD BOND MEASURE	55%	OPPOSE

Measure B: Antioch Unified School District (55% to pass) Should the District issue $195,000,000 in bonds to Upgrade classroom, roofs, labs, technology, safety, emergency communication, approximately $48,00 per $100,000 assessed value, with citizens oversight committee and annual audits. The measure would be to renovate and modernize Antioch High School buildings and classrooms, in multiple phases. More specifically: 

·       Remove hazardous materials like asbestos and lead paint from school sites

·       Repair or replace old worn-out roofs, floors, walkways, lighting, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems

·       Improve school security and emergency communications systems

·       Update instructional technology in classrooms for improved student learning

·       Renovate restrooms to make them accessible for students with disabilities

·       Upgrade and repair physical education facilities and playground equipment to meet current safety standards

·       Make repairs and energy efficiency improvements to all schools

·       Free up resources to improve the quality of classroom instruction in core subjects like reading, math, and science to prepare students for success in college and careers

• Add TK-K classrooms at John Muir Elementary
• Add a new gymnasium and cafeteria at Orchard Park
• Replace old portables with a new two-story building of classrooms at Park Middle School and Modernize the gymnasium at Antioch Middle School

This measure appears to reflect a deferral and postponement of annual maintenance until it grew into Major Maintenance and replacement, using its revenues instead for other purposes, without adequate explanation of the rationale. 

CITY or AGENCY	Measure	DESCRIPTION	Needed to Pass	CoCoTax POSITION
MARTINEZ USD	C	MARTINEZ USD BOND MEASURE	2 / 3rds	SUPPORT

Measure C:  Martinez Unified School District (2/3rds to pass) Should the District renew its existing school parcel tax at the $75 per year rate raising $850,000 annually, with senior citizen exemptions, and independent citizens oversight, for its quality programs in science, technology, engineering, labs, and library staffing.

Measure C, proposes the District renew its existing school parcel tax at the existing $75 per year rate raising $850,000 annually, with senior citizen exemptions, independent citizens oversight committee, and sunset in 8 years, for its quality programs in science, technology, engineering, labs, and library staffing. Measure C would renew, without increasing taxes, the District’s $75 parcel tax for 8 years.  All funds would be controlled locally for Martinez schools only and could not be taken away by the State, provides Independent citizens’ oversight and mandatory annual audits that would be required.  Senior citizen homeowners would continue to be eligible for an exemption from the cost.

CITY or AGENCY	Measure	DESCRIPTION	Needed to Pass	CoCoTax POSITION
MORAGA SD	D	MORAGA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND MEASURE	55%	NEUTRAL

Should the District issue $52,000,000 in bonds to improve it elementary/middle school science, technology, engineering classrooms and labs, repair its leaking roofs, windows, averaging $30 per $100,000 assessed value with citizen oversight, annual audit, excluding funds for administrators.

Measure D, proposes the District issue $52,000,000 in bonds to improve it elementary/middle school science, technology, engineering classrooms and labs, repair its leaking roofs, windows, averaging $30 per $100,000 assessed value with citizen oversight, annual audit, excluding funds for administrators, (averaging $3,000,000 raised annually) with citizen oversight, annual audits, no funds for administrators, and providing local funding that cannot be taken by the State.  By law, Measure D would require accountability protections, including:  All funds would be controlled locally and could not be taken away by the State.

·       By law, no money could be used for administrators' salaries

·       An independent citizens' oversight committee and mandatory annual audits would ensure all Measure D funds are spent as promised

·       A detailed project list outlining the specific use of funds would be required

·       Upgrade science, technology, and engineering classrooms and labs

·       Replace leaking roofs and unsafe windows

·       Prevent classroom overcrowding

·       Update classrooms and classroom technology for learning

·       Repair and replace aging plumbing and electrical systems

This measure has tax impacts and reasonable pros and cons. The measure is deemed a “community preference” matter.