Discussion | 12 comments

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• voterOctober 22, 2012 - 12:21 pm

  The proposed unimproved parcel tax is $8.78.

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• AgreeOctober 24, 2012 - 6:16 am

  This is definitely an an improved parcel issue. The parsing of services into bit sized tax hits needs to stop even for worthy causes. The total tax burden keeps going up and the voters are doing it to themselves. Big picture, the public school system and the libraries need to partner together for mutually beneficial solutions and cost savings.

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• NancyOctober 24, 2012 - 6:25 am

  I am tired of taxes. I'm voting NO on ALL new taxes.

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• voterOctober 24, 2012 - 7:46 am

  The special library tax is the county's attractive way to get voters to consent to higher taxes. PROPOSED: $17.58 per parcel, $14.06 per apartment unit, $8.78 for mobile homes in parks and for unimproved parcels & $1.00 per interval week for timeshares. The tax can increase a maximum of 3% annually tied to the Consumer Price Index. At the end of fifteen years, the maximum amount of the tax cannot exceed $25.00. SEE: https://sites.google.com/site/edcyesonl/

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• accountableOctober 24, 2012 - 7:55 pm

  This is only a new tax to Plaverville residents. The residents in other parts of the county already pay a tax for the Library system, and Measure L would actually lower the tax for those people. If Placerville residents don't want to pay a small amount for their library, perhaps it should be closed and the serviced offered in Placerville should be provided to residents willing to pay. Unfortunately the kids in the community would suffer.

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• voterOctober 24, 2012 - 9:10 pm

  accountable: If Measure L passes has the County agreed to not reduce the General Fund contribution to libraries?

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• accountableOctober 25, 2012 - 6:14 am

  Voter : that appears to be the primary flaw with Measure L and if someone chooses to vote no for that reason it makes more sense than calling it a new tax. However, the county could reduce the general fund contribution under the current tax structure which has El dorado Hills paying more than Georgetown and Placerville not paying anything. If Placerville wont pay their fair share then they should not receive the services that residents in other parts of the county are willing to pay for. Measure L lowers the amount paid in El Dorado Hills and keeps other parts of the county about the same.

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• voterOctober 25, 2012 - 7:29 am

  accountable: Broadly speaking you are correct that this is not a new tax. Proponents, however, never mention Measure L's new reach: the proposed inclusion of apartment units, mobile homes, unimproved parcels & timeshares. Placerville voters generally have been supportive of appeals regarding local services. Witness their passage of the City's Measures H (sewer) and J (police). Whether they trust the County in these very hard times will soon be determined.

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• voterOctober 25, 2012 - 7:38 am

  accountable: Since you would consider closing the Placerville library in the event of Placerville residents not endorsing Measure L, which branch do you believe then would become the Main Library? Or would the fact of having one branch designated as Main be abolished altogether?

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• voterOctober 25, 2012 - 8:01 am

  The YES ON L website shows that Georgetown & South Lake Tahoe's current library parcel taxes sunset in two years. So residents in those areas will now be voting to renew the tax and extend it to previously unincluded parcels/units. But now, thinking about it, I'm wondering what is meant by "80% of the base tax per multi-family residential dwelling unit, 50% of the base tax per mobile home for parcels containing mobile home parks, 50% of the base tax for unimproved parcels". (SEE: https://sites.google.com/site/edcyesonl/home) Can anyone tell us?

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• acountableOctober 25, 2012 - 6:42 pm

  Voter: My personal opinion is that all of the libraries should remain open and the fairest way to accomplish this is an equal tax throughout the County. If Measure L doesn't pass, and the taxes in Georgetown and SLT sunset, it will decimate hour library system. Measure L has its flaws for sure (no guarantees and taxing unimproved parcels) but it is better than any other alternative currently before the voters.

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• voterOctober 25, 2012 - 7:15 pm

  accountable: Thank you for the civilized exchange. I will be voting YES on Measure L.

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