O.C. Ballot Measures

COUNTY

Measure G: Would devote 60% of tobacco litigation settlement to health care services, smoking prevention and public safety programs. It would devote 40% of the anticipated $30 million settlement payment to paying off the county’s bankruptcy debt.

Pro: Funds health initiatives and hastens the county’s bankruptcy recovery.

Con: Does not use the money exclusively for health care.

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Measure H: Would devote at least 90% of tobacco settlement payments to health care services, smoking prevention and public safety programs.

Pro: Devotes almost all of settlement money to health care and public safety.

Con: Does not help pay off county bankruptcy debt.

ANAHEIM

Measure I: Would amend City Charter to delete repetitive and obsolete language so as to comply with state law and would change all gender references to refer to him and her.

Pro: Updates language.

Con: Requires printing of new copies.

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Measure J: Prohibits city employees from holding position of Council member or mayor.

Pro: Avoids conflict of interest in setting employee policies.

Con: Removes voice of employees from city council.

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Measure K: Prohibits City Council from hiring special prosecutor in criminal cases.

Pro: Judge has ruled that City Council lacks legal authority to hire a special prosecutor and avoids potential abuse of position.

Con: Removes potential watch dog.

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Measure L: Amends city charter to allow Finance Director to approve wire transfers, electronic payments and facsimile signature checks for city expenditures. Also allows entities other than City Treasurer to have custody of city funds with special permission.

Pro: Modernizes cash transfer capabilities for city finance office.

Con: Broadens handling of city funds.

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Measure M: Allows City Council to consider market prices when setting rates for water and electricity. (Currently, rate changes are linked to changes in the cost of providing water and power service only.)

Pro: Allows city to lower utility rates to avoid being priced out of competitive market.

Con: Allows city to increase utility rates even if the cost of production has not increased.

BREA

MEASURE N: Would require voter approval of development proposals within the Carbon Canyon Specific Plan Area and portions of property deemed to be in Brea’s “sphere of influence.”

Pro: Gives city voters a direct say on certain proposed developments on area hillsides.

Con: Could force developers to seek approval from the county, sidestepping local officials and Brea’s own hillside protections.

COSTA MESA

Measure O: Would increase the city’s hotel and motel bed tax from 6% to 8%, with revenues reserved for acquisition and development of parks, recreation facilities and open space.

Pro: Would fund city improvements without taxing residents.

Con: Could cause some hotel and motel guests to stay in other cities.

GARDEN GROVE

Measure P: Would increase the city’s hotel and motel bed tax from 10% to 12%.

Pro: Would increase city general fund revenues without taxing residents.

Con: Could cause some hotel and motel guests to stay in other cities.

HUNTINGTON BEACH

Measure Q: Would impose 5% utility tax on all natural gas the AS Power Plant uses to produce electricity.

Pro: Would add $1.2 million to the city’s general fund annually.

Con: Expense will be passed along to electricity customers throughout Southern California.

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Measure R: Non binding. Would recommend that the City Council earmark funds from Measure Q for the maintenance, construction and repair of city infrastructure.

Pro: City council may heed recommendation.

Con: City council may ignore recommendation.

NEWPORT BEACH

Measure S: Would require voter approval of any Newport Beach General Plan amendment that significantly increase allowable traffic and housing density.

Pro: Gives voters direct say in approval of plan amendments.

Con: Dilutes authority of elected planning officials and could trigger public votes for relatively small projects. *

Measure T: Would require voter approval of any amendment or repeal of certain provisions of the city’s traffic phasing ordinance.

Pro: Gives voters direct say in certain traffic standards.

Con: Opponents say passage would negate Measure S.

SAN CLEMENTE

Measure U: Would impose a moratorium on residential building permits until Avenida La Pata is constructed as a paved, divided roadway between Avenida Pico and Antonio Parkway.

Pro: Aims to prevent developers from building without first providing needed infrastructure and roads.

Con: Opponents say approval will trigger costly lawsuits against the city and delay traffic improvements.