REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Ordering the Submission of a Ballot Measure to the Qualified Electors of the City; Calling for a Special Municipal Election to be Held in the City of Santa Clara on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 for the Purpose of Submitting to City Voters a Measure to Increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Rate in an Amount Up to 4%; Requesting Consolidation with the Presidential General Election and Election Services from Santa Clara County; Directing the City Attorney to Prepare an Impartial Analysis; and Setting Priorities for Ballot Arguments [Council Pillar: Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure]
Report
BACKGROUND
At the 2019 Council Priority Setting Session, the City's Ten-Year Financial Forecast was presented to the City Council indicating ongoing deficits beginning in Years 3 and 4. The City Council requested that staff explore potential revenue measures and schedule a study session to further evaluate options. In addition, the Council authorized the City Manager to retain consultant services to assist with voter research and community engagement to determine the viability of any potential ballot measure. In February 2020, a study session on potential revenue strategies was presented to the City Council. Included in the presentation was a comparison of the City's TOT rate which showed that Santa Clara was among the lowest in the area:
The Council directed staff to conduct voter research on two strategies: a general obligation bond and an increase in the transient occupancy tax (TOT) rate. The City contracted with the Lew Edwards Group (LEG) and EMC Research (EMC) to conduct voter research which included a multi-modal survey of 645 likely November 2020 voters conducted in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese during the week of May 12-18, 2020.
Survey results indicate that:
? Constituents continue to feel positively about the job the City of Santa Clara is doing;
? Many antic...
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