Voters to Decide a Baker’s Dozen of Local Issues

Orange County has no countywide ballot measures on the Nov. 2 ballot. But cities and schools have more than made up for the lack, sponsoring 13 local questions on subjects including taxes and term limits.

The measure with the heaviest price tag is in Orange, where voters are being asked to approve a $196-million school bond. The money would be used to build, repair or upgrade facilities including science and computer labs, classrooms, restrooms and athletic fields. The money also would be used to build a high school.

The measure needs 55% approval to pass. A similar measure on the March ballot failed with 49% in favor.

As with other bond measures passed in recent years for school upgrades, Measure A would create a citizens oversight committee, decree annual audits and prohibit the proceeds from being used for salaries or other operating expenses. The estimated cost to property owners to repay the bond is about $36 for every $100,000 worth of assessed value over 30 years.

The measure has drawn support from county Auditor-Controller David E. Sundstrom, Sheriff Michael S. Carona, Supervisor Bill Campbell and Orange Mayor Mark A. Murphy. Opponents -- who say there are cheaper ways to raise the money -- attempted to file a statement against the measure, but failed to meet the deadline, city officials said.

In Newport Beach, a measure on the fate of a coastal mobile-home park has spurred a lively campaign of cable television advertisements, yard signs and mailers.

At issue is a proposal to amend the city’s general plan to allow construction of a 110-unit luxury resort along the Balboa Peninsula once the mobile-home leases expire. The city approved the resort in July, but residents urged the council to put the land’s fate before voters.

Supporting Measure L are Newport Beach Mayor Tod W. Ridgeway and Councilman Gary Adams. Opposed are councilmen John Heffernan, Richard Nichols and Don Webb.

Voters in Cypress will consider five ballot questions -- Measures D through H -- to amend their city charter for ministerial housekeeping.

If approved, the measures would move the authority to hire and supervise the city clerk and the city treasurer to the city manager instead of the City Council; allow the city to use design-build contracts for capital improvements instead of having to approve separate contracts; allow the city to award building and maintenance contracts to the most qualified bidder regardless of price; and revise department head titles.

In Fountain Valley, voters are being asked to impose limits on City Council terms, with a maximum of three four-year terms. A council member would have to take a two-year break before running again for office.

Supporters of Measure I argue that term limits will allow more residents to run and serve on the council, which would be more responsive because of more frequent candidate challenges. Opponents argue that longtime incumbents are better able to tackle tough issues and accomplish more, and that restricting terms robs the city of needed experience.

A second measure in Fountain Valley would raise the city’s business license fee from $50 to $75. Measure J is supported by all five council members. There was no argument submitted against it.

A similar proposal is before voters in Brea, where Measure C would raise license fees for small businesses from $30 to $70 and levy a new tax on oil wells. The change is needed, Councilwoman Bev Perry said in a ballot argument, because license fees have remained the same since 1976. The city’s budgeting was based on passage of the new fee, she said. There was no argument filed against the measure.

A bit of new-city business is on the ballot for voters in Aliso Viejo, which became the county’s 34th city in 2001.

Measure B would set the city’s permanent expenditure limit, a step the city is required to take at the first general municipal election after incorporation. The limit is based on the city’s tax revenue during its first full year of operation. The final measures are proposals in Mission Viejo and Santa Ana -- Measures K and M -- to increase the tax on people staying up to 30 days in city hotels and motels. The bed tax would rise to 10% of the room rent in Mission Viejo and to 11% in Santa Ana.

The Mission Viejo measure sparked a lively debate between council members in ballot materials. Council members Lance R. MacLean and Trish Kelley argued in favor of raising the bed tax, calling it a modest increase that would bring in $143,000 a year. The money could help cover the costs of police and fire protection, as well as road and traffic upgrades, they said.

Mission Viejo Councilman John Paul Ledesma argued that the city isn’t in dire need of new tax revenue and should learn to live within its means. The city is consistently among the safest cities of its size and doesn’t need more police, he said, calling supporters’ claims “socialist bureaucrat arguments.”

There was only one argument -- in favor -- filed for Santa Ana’s proposal to increase its bed tax. The additional tax is needed, supporters said, for essential city services such as police and fire protection. The argument was signed by city leaders including Mayor Miguel Pulido, school board president Rob Richardson and John White of the Santa Ana Merchants Assn.