LOS ANGELES COUNTY Ballot Measures

Here is a look at three countywide issues on Tuesday’s ballot:

Measure A:

What it would do: Create a countywide property tax increase to pay for $319 million worth of improvements to existing parks and provide funds to buy more parkland and open space. Additional funds would be provided to maintain park facilities. Requires majority vote for passage.

FOR

Argument for: Parks across the county need repairs and up-grading. Additional parkland and open space is necessary. Parks improve the quality of life and reduce gang activity by providing recreational opportunities for young people at risk.

Supporters: League of Women Voters, Sierra Club, L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce, American Assn. of Retired Persons, Sheriff Sherman Block, L.A. Police Chief Willie L. Williams, numerous local officials, community and business groups.

AGAINST

Argument against: Property owners will pay increased taxes over the next 22 years for parks they may never visit. This is unfair to homeowners and landowners when not all of the $540 million in park funds approved by county voters in 1992 has been spent.

Opponents: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.

Measure B:

What it would do: Establish limits on campaign contributions and voluntary spending limits in races for county supervisor, district attorney, sheriff and assessor under certain circumstances. Allows for creation of special officeholder and legal defense accounts. Bans campaign fund-raising in some nonelection periods.

FOR

Argument for: Limits on campaign contributions could reduce special interest influence on county officials. Voluntary spending limits and a ban on off-season fund-raising could reduce pressure to raise campaign money.

Supporters: League of Women Voters, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and Deane Dana.

AGAINST

Argument against: Contribution and spending limits are too high. Variable contribution limits in races with wealthy candidates will not work. Special interests will continue to have undue influence.

Opponents: California Public Interest Research Group, sponsor of Proposition 212, a campaign reform measure on the state ballot.

Measure C:

What it would do: Authorize the Board of Supervisors to establish up to a maximum of about 400 top-level positions in county agencies and departments that are exempt from the Civil Service system.

FOR

Argument for: the county needs the flexibility to hire top managers and senior executives for its health system and other county departments without the restrictions and protections imposed by Civil Service requirements.

Supporters: Supervisors Gloria Molina, Zev Yaroslavsky, Deane Dana and Mike Antonovich.

AGAINST

Argument against: None

Opponents: No known opposition.