Unique Open Space Sales Tax Measure Attempts To Be Renewed

A quarter cent sales tax measure, which has raised $200 million since 1990 and preserved 70,000 acres of open space, may be put before the voters of Santa Rosa, CA, in November for early re-authorization.

1 minute read

July 18, 2006, 7:18 PM PDT

By Irvin Dawid

"Sonoma County's tax-supported land acquisition program is the most ambitious in California and is a groundbreaking effort on a national scale, raising money to buy land from a countywide quarter-cent sales tax adopted in 1990."

"If the measure is placed on the November ballot, the debate over the next four months is expected to be a rerun of the tumultuous 1990 election in which voters decided, 55 percent to 45 percent, to add a quarter-cent to the sales tax. Back then, there was much furor and conjecture as to how the tax would save Sonoma County from looking like the rest of the Bay Area."

"The agency, saddled with the long title of Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, now has 16 years' experience in buying easements or outright purchase of prime property. It has 18 full-time employees and has an annual budget of about $18 million, with less than 20 percent going for administration."

"The Open Space District's record over the years also has provided critics with grounds for complaint. The Sonoma County Taxpayers Association, which opposes most ballot tax measures, took no position in 1989. But this time, it is leading the opposition."

Thanks to MTC/ABAG

FULL STORY: Open space debate: Is it worth our money?

Sunday, July 16, 2006 in The Press Democrat -- Santa Rosa ,CA

Environment Government / Politics History / Preservation Land Use Urban Development California View More

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