Parcel tax committee considers new survey at cost of $20,000. Ideas range from taxing commercial property at higher rates, to using square footage to determine tax.
By Carolanne Sudderth/Ocean Park Gazette
Undaunted by its recent failure at the polls, the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District is already working on its next parcel tax campaign. Last night, the 54-member parcel tax committee held its first meeting to assess the lay of the somewhat ravaged land.
Last November’s Measure EE would have put a tax of $300 per parcel on every property in Malibu, Santa Monica and Topanga. The tax would have helped relieve the budget shortfall, but now the district must slash $1.5 million from its budget. Although it received a simple majority, the measure failed to win the 66 percent needed for passage. The district is determined to try, try again.
This time, however, it is also starting from scratch-length of time, amount of money-all are up for discussion.
Superintendent John Deasy led off with figures of $144 per residential parcel and $675 for commercial. The $144, he said, represented $12 per month for a year.
“It was not a scientific methodology,” he said in response to questions.
However, committee members clamored for a different structure. Ideas included that seniors be exempted, that renters be taxed on an individual basis rather than a flat per-parcel tax.
Committee member Don Gray suggested that rather than a flat amount, the parcel tax be computed on a square foot basis, as per the model adopted by the Davis (California) School District. The tax could be adjusted by zoning district; for instance, a business owner with 40,000 square feet of factory space should not pay the same per square foot as a retailer with a 10-by-10 foot slot on the Third Street Promenade.
Deasy asserted flatly that such practices are not legal.
Gray, however, wanted reasons with his rhetoric.
“We’re talking about things that other schools have done. Legal counsel is saying that we can’t do that, but they’re not saying why.”
Deasy told Gray that if he thought they should have an attorney at the meeting, Gray should find a funding source and that “simply because they have not been challenged [in court] before does not mean they are [operating] legally.”
At the same time, several board members expressed doubts about putting dwindling district dollars toward a poll rather than the classroom-especially as a similar study was conducted last year. The estimated cost is $20,000.
Committee member John Petz suggested, as they already had last year’s questionnaire, members get up a phone bank and “call a couple of people [ourselves].”
Member Dennis Zane countered that a new poll is “really vital.”
“I think we need to get a commitment to get the money. I would be willing to volunteer to raise half of the money,” he said.
Committee member Chris Harding joined him in asserting the need for a poll.
Other committee members also questioned directing dwindling district dollars toward a poll.
“When you call people and you say, ‘Our schools need money, but we’re spending $20,000 on a poll,’ it doesn’t sound right,” Ann Greenspun said.
Zane, who has been co-chair of Santa Monicans for Renters Rights, that city’s only (non) political party for almost two decades, received $25,000 as a paid consultant for Measure EE’s failed campaign earlier this year.
The Parcel Tax Committee was divided into sub-groups, which will address ballot language (purpose and reasons for the tax), the structure and legal forms and exemptions, the amount and the length of the tax, and analysis of the poll results.
Neil Carrey was unanimously returned to the chair position, which he held on the last parcel tax committee.
The Parcel Tax Committee will reconvene Dec. 16, 7 p.m., at SMMUSD Offices, 1651 16th Street, Santa Monica.