Oroville voters have measures to decide

OROVILLE » Voters in south Oroville and Chico will have decisions about severalmeasures on the ballot for the November election.

Measure D

In South Oroville, voters will be deciding on Measure D, which would add a property tax dedicated to fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue, and emergency medical services in the El Medio Fire Protection District.

The special taxwould be levied on all taxable real property within the district, which is south of the Oroville city limits, each fiscal year beginning in 2020-21 at flat rates based upon the use of each taxable parcel.

Parcels with a singlefamily dwelling would be taxed $60; mobile homes on separate parcels would be charged $60 per parcel; other residential parcels would be charged $60 per dwelling unit.

Parcels used for commercial or industrial use would be charged $200. Agricultural or vacant parcels up to five acres would be charged $50 per parcel and $10 for every five acres after that.

Institutional or miscellaneous parcels would be charged $75.

The revenues raised by this special tax may only be used to defray operating expenses, capital improvement expenditures and debt repayment to accomplish the measure’s purposes.

To be repealed, the tax would need action from the district’s board. It is designed to increase by at most 3 percent yearly. A citizens’ oversight committee appointed by the board will review and report on the expenditure of tax revenues.

The tax would require two-thirds of the voter’s approval.

Measure E

Chico voters will be asked about district-based elections, and council candidate eligibility.

Measure E officially changes the Chico city charter to install council elections by districts. While the Chico City Council has already adopted district voting, this changes the charter to reflect the California Voters Right Act. It divides the city into seven districts, with four district voting this year, and three district voting in November 2022.

The measure also provides that the districts will be redrawn following 10-year federal census counts to reflect population

changes.

Measure G

Chico voters will be asked inMeasure G if eligibility requirements to serve on the Chico City Council should be changed.

If passed, the measure would change the city charter to allow candidates to be a minimum of 18 years old. Currently, the minimum age is 21 years old.

Under this amendment, any person would be eligible to run for a council seat if they reside in the city, for such a period of time provided by state law; and is a qualified voter as defined by the California Elections Code.

The full text of themeasures can be read on the Butte County Clerk-Recorders website www.clerk-recorder.buttecounty.net