The bare facts on Measure A

QUESTION: What is Measure A?

ANSWER: On the December 13 ballot -- is a proposal to add one-half percent to the sales tax in the City of Laguna Beach for the next six years to replenish funds used for the Bluebird Canyon slide repairs and to establish an emergency relief fund for future disasters.

Q: Is Measure A really needed?

A: Yes. The Bluebird Canyon slide repairs, work that the city is legally obligated to complete, will cost $15 million. The city has funded this work by instituting a hiring freeze and delaying capital improvement projects such as street and storm drain repairs and work on the senior/community center. Without Measure A, the hiring freeze and project delays will affect Laguna Beach for years to come.

Q: Doesn’t the recent announcement of FEMA funding help?

A: Of course. Unfortunately, the money from the federal government will only cover about 20% of the costs. The good news is that all Measure A revenue that exceeds the cost of the required repairs will be used to establish a disaster relief fund for help in future emergencies.

Q: What assurance is there that this tax will end in six years?

A: The language of the ballot measure legally limits Measure A to six years. The City Council can’t extend the sales tax.

Q: Will any of the funds from Measure A be used to help rebuild private homes?

A: No, the funds from Measure A will be used to replenish funds already appropriated for legally required repairs to city infrastructure. No funds have been allocated for private homes. In fact, the victims of the landslide are contributing more than $500,000 to the repair effort.

Other questions? Please submit them to our website: www.LBYesonA.org.

* The Committee for Measure A consists of Bob Burnham, Kathleen Blackburn, Norm Grossman, Toni Iseman, Anne Johnson and Gary Waldron.