Piedmont’s Municipal Services Parcel Tax, commonly known as its “city services tax,” has since 1981 supported essential services such as the local police and fire departments, 911 dispatch response and paramedic services as well as park maintenance, stormwater infrastructure, the maintenance and upgrades of streets and public facilities and planning for library, recreation and other community activities.
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In this year’s March 5 primary election, Piedmont residents who may otherwise overlook or downplay the importance of renewing the parcel tax on the same ballot as the 2024 statewide presidential election are paying attention to Measure F. The City Council placed the measure on the ballot to continue the tax first passed by Piedmont voters more than 40 years ago that has been renewed 10 times but includes important changes as proposed.
Specifically and most significantly, the length of the tax expands threefold, from the previous four years to a 12-year term. The rationale for the longer term came after the Piedmont Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee reviewed the city’s 10-year financial projections and maintenance needs and determined that long-term funding would provide stability and had become essential.
Anticipating the need for additional emergency 911 staffing, updated technology in the communications center and investments in equipment aimed at public safety and law enforcement such as automated license plate readers, the council determined that funds beyond what the tax would generate without increases also are required.
To that end, Measure F would add an additional $545,000 in revenue to the current $2.6 million currently generated each year for city services. The 20% increase already planned for the FY2025-26 revenue budget would establish a 12-year tax with annual rates of $1,254 per single-family residential parcel; $1,254 or $1,882 per commercial parcel; or $515 per multifamily dwelling unit, subject to Consumer Price Index adjustment.
Depending on property size, the new rate would increase the current city services tax to between $12 and $21 a month. Translated in actual numbers, that means a homeowner with a lot size less than 5,000 square feet would expect their $595 annual rate to become $743; a lot size of 10,000 to 14,999 square feet would be taxed $963, up from $772; and the tax on properties of 20,000 square feet or more would rise from $1,005 to $1,254. All of the above equal about 24% increases.
Piedmont City Attorney Michelle Marchetta Kenyon’s analysis of the measure online (bit.ly/3O69BnU) provides additional facts and data and includes information about the process and procedures followed by the city to propose it. The current city services tax expires June 30, 2025, and Measure F authorizes its renewal until June 30, 2037.
The maximum tax rate would be adjusted on an annual basis by an amount equal to the percentage change in the CPI for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area, as published by the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics and not exceeding a 4% maximum annual increase.
A “yes” vote on Measure F means renewing the existing tax; a “no” vote means letting it expire and no longer having the tax collected. Measure F needs two-thirds of of voters’ approval to pass. Proponents including Mayor Jennifer Cavenaugh and two former Piedmont mayors advise a “yes” vote, stating that the 911 dispatch center has remained unchanged for 45 years and must be improved to achieve and maintain public safety.
The City Council supported the measure unanimously, in part because Piedmont, unlike most cities in California, receives very little sales tax revenue for it’s annual budget. The council in 2023 held discussions of the tax open to the public at meetings on Oct. 16, Nov. 6 and Nov. 20.
Representing a “no” vote is Marcus Crawley, the Alameda County Taxpayers’ Association’s president. His argument highlights that Piedmont “already has some of California’s highest parcel taxes” and suggests accountability and oversight is lacking.
“The only way taxpayers would find out about mismanagement is when things go really bad and you read about the situation in the newspaper. That’s too late,” Crawley said.
A link on the city’s website with answers to frequently asked questions about Measure F says accountability is ensured by the resident volunteers who make up the body of the Piedmont Budget Advisory and Financial Planning Committee and are appointed by the council. The link says committee meetings to review revenue and expenditures are open to the public, made known to citizens in advance and held at midyear and year’s end.
The city’s financial statements are audited annually by an independent accounting firm and posted on the city’s website as well as submitted to the State Controller’s Office. Any actions taken by the council result through the standard process that includes publicly noticed meetings that stream live and are archived online.
For the link to the city’s webpage along with general information about voter registration, polling locations, important dates and other matters, visit bit.ly/49L6z0R online or contact the Alameda County Registrar of Voters (acvote.org and 510-272-6933).
Lou Fancher is a freelance writer. Reach her at lou@johnsonandfancher.com.