Editorial: San Mateo County city measures

The original intent of the measure was to take back control from the city government and create new opportunities for affordable housing inside new developments through new inclusionary zoning requirements. That inclusionary zoning requirement is now both current law and current policy. It will not be reduced. The original Measure H was progressive in creating that inclusionary zoning but times have changed.

The city has gone through an extensive general plan process with hours upon hours of public meetings to come up with new zoning that would allow the city to grow and also meet new and aggressive state requirements for new housing. It is through that plan that Measure T was born. While it has a similar footprint to the failed Measure R, which would have carved out higher heights near transit, this measure was city-led but community born.

By raising heights and densities near transit, San Mateo will meet state requirements rather than have to open up its zoning once again to find new places for housing. There is no way to avoid this if the measure does not pass.

The city has engaged in a robust general plan and housing element process that includes perspectives from all stakeholders. The result of that exhaustive and extremely public effort is before us today, Measure T. This measure will raise heights up to eight stories from the five allowed today in several core areas near the city’s three train stations and on El Camino Real. This is a modest amount to meet the needs for tomorrow, and it has already been vetted by the community and by a council with very diverse perspectives. This is a good deal.

Vote yes on Measure T.

Yes on Measure FF

The city of Millbrae has a relatively unique system for its City Council in that it limits members to two consecutive terms. It is a relatively small city, with districts now, and that means known names will have an advantage when running again after taking four years off, over and over again.

Measure FF seeks to fix that, with a new limit of three four-year terms — 12 years rather than eight. An argument for Measure FF is also that eight years is not enough time to engage with other leaders at a regional level. That may be true in some instances, but personality also plays a role in ensuring the city gains respect from others.

This measure would provide some stability for the city, however, in that councilmembers could stay up to 12 years. There is experience to be had in that time, and benefits from it. And as everyone knows, there are ways to remove councilmembers from office — whether it be during a traditional election or a recall.

Yes on Measure R

Like many cities on the Peninsula, Half Moon Bay has been hit hard by changing finances. While it’s usually less than ideal to dig into local wallets to mend a wobbly budget, a modest hike in sales tax is a way to ensure the pain is felt by residents and visitors alike.

Public safety expenses have risen, and there has been a downturn in hotel tax revenue. By increasing the city’s sales tax .5% to 9.875%, the city will be able to raise about $2 million extra a year without most people feeling it too much.

We do caution, however, this is a one-time thing, and the city may even consider peeling it back when times are better.

Yes on Measure BB

Generating new revenue from larger businesses in Redwood City while easing the burden on small businesses is part of the intent behind Measure BB, on the ballot this November.

Measure BB includes an adjusted per employee rate based on defined job categories, with tiered rates depending on number of employees, and a maximum annual tax payable for each business to not exceed $250,000. The current cap is just over $7,000, which doesn’t capture the impact of larger businesses. It will generate about $7.7 million a year, which will help with the city’s deficit. Vote yes.

Yes on Measure W

South San Francisco is updating its business tax model to capture more revenue from its large number of life science businesses while easing the burden on businesses like grocery stores that operate on tighter margins and who could pass on the expense to their customers.

The city uses about four taxation methodologies dependent on the type of business, ranging from a per employee to gross receipts and per-unit model, with the employee model most prevalent. The new model would retain a mostly per-employee format, but would simplify general business categories into just a few main groups, depending on their sizes. Small businesses, defined as up to nine employees, would have a $30 per employee rate, $45 per employee for medium-sized companies — up to 99 employees — and $55 for those with 100 or more workers. Hotels and short-term rentals would mostly retain a per-unit structure, and construction contractors would be taxed based on project valuation.

Measure W is anticipated to generate about $2.6 million, which will help with the city’s budget. Vote yes.

Yes on Measure V

Foster City is seeking to increase taxes for its larger businesses, but is also including a $250,000 annual cap as not to be too burdensome. It will keep the gross receipts model in which businesses are taxed on revenue and not employees and the city’s smallest business would be subject to only a $100 annual tax.

It will raise about $1.4 million more per year. It deserves your support.

Yes on Measure DD

The city of Belmont wants to consolidate and simplify its business categories from 20 to four and would follow the gross receipts model in which businesses would pay 40 cents to $1 per $1,000 of total receipts revenue. Cannabis operations would pay more.

No additional revenue would be created by the measure, but is aimed to support small businesses. Vote yes.

Yes on Measure L

San Carlos residents will be asked to switch from elected treasurer to an appointed one, joining most San Mateo County cities that have professional staff oversee its budgets.

Having independent oversight could be seen as appealing, yet one of the primary jobs of the City Council is to discuss and approve the budget. Never once has there been an issue with removing a separately elected treasurer in any city in San Mateo County. It’s time for San Carlos to also leave the practice.