Escondido, Ramona, Carlsbad Propositions Winning at Polls

Propositions calling for golf courses in Carlsbad, more schools in Escondido and better water systems in Ramona appeared to have won enough votes for approval Tuesday as North County residents cast their ballots in special municipal elections.

After tallying the nearly 8,000 votes cast in Carlsbad, the county registrar of voters said more than 60% of the ballots endorsed Propostions F and G. The measures would raise Carlsbad’s hotel room tax.

Supporters of Escondido’s Propostion A, which sought a $27-million bond issue to increase and improve schools, were encouraged Tuesday night when--with 30% of the votes counted--more than 74% of the voters backed their ballot measure.

In Ramona, residents appeared to be taking a step toward solving their water crisis as they strongly supported three initiatives designed to bolster water storage and distribution systems. With more than half the votes counted, Propostions C, D and E were ahead by 2-1 margins.

Carlsbad city officials sought voters’ blessing to raise the hotel room tax from 8% to 10%, with generated revenue going into the city’s coffers. In a separate ballot measure, Proposition G, voters were also asked to approve the spending of more than $1 million in city funds to build recreational facilities.

The two propositions, endorsed unanimously by Carlsbad’s five council members, would allow the city to pursue its long-sought goal of constructing two golf courses, a multicourt tennis complex, two multipurpose recreational fields and an enclosed soccer facility. The projects are expected to cost $6 million to $8 million.

Opponents of the measures said the increase would unfairly target one industry to pay for recreational amenities to be used by the entire community. Opponents also complained that the hotel room tax was raised just last year, from 6% to 8%.

But such recreational facilities would make Carlsbad more attractive and boost tourism, supporters said. And, they added, the amenities would pay back residents who often bear the burdens of tourism--crowds and traffic.

Fierce Campaign for More Classrooms

In Escondido, a fierce campaign for more classrooms had been waged in recent weeks by Classroom for Kids, supporters of Proposition A. The ballot measure sought a $27-million bond issue to relieve the city’s crowded schools.

Although there was no formal opposition to the measure, proponents expressed some concern that it might be defeated because of a built-in negative factor--a bond issue carries an automatic property-tax increase for all of the city’s property owners.

But advocates argued that such a tax increase would be practically painless. According to Dawna Nerhus, a spokeswoman for Classroom for Kids, the tax bite for the 20-year bond would average $24 a year on a $100,000 home.

Educators had been complaining about sardine can-like conditions--eight of the district’s 10 elementary schools, designed to house 650 students, house 800 or more. In addition, more than 3,000 Escondido elementary school children attend classes in portable rooms or temporary trailers.

The bond funds are earmarked to build new schools and expand existing educational centers, pay off debt on construction of the district middle schools’ classrooms and improve existing schools by expanding libraries and other facilities.

Ramona Has Different Concern

Residents in Ramona tackled a different, but equally troubling concern--how to increase their water supply and better distribute it to their inland community.

Three ballot measures were put before the voters in an attempt to alleviate Ramona’s water problems, which have intensified during the region’s prolonged drought. Last month, city officials imposed water rationing upon residents.

Proposition C seeks to issue about $15 million in revenue bonds or certificates of participation to install an 18.3-mile pipeline linking Lake Ramona with a water treatment plant and a nearby reservoir.

A second measure, Proposition D, proposes $15.9 million in revenue bonds or certificates of participation to finance the replacement of aging water distribution pipes and to construct a 3-million-gallon storage reservoir.

The last measure, Proposition E, calls for $3.9 million in certificates of participation to pursue projects such as building of a new fire station and renovation of existing ones.

Opponents of the water-related ballot measures did not dispute the need of such projects, but questioned whether the projected costs were accurate. They feared that the ambitious projects would end up costing much more.