Measure B | californiachoices.org

My vote

Would adopt the measure amending the city charter and municipal code to: increase the expenditure limit for using city funds to acquire or improve real property from $1 million (the limit established by voters in 1982) to $3.09 million (the 1982 limit in today’s dollars); adjust the limit annually on January 1 by the percentage increase in the regional construction cost index; and (3) exempt public safety facilities from the limit. The measure requires approval by a simple majority (50% plus one vote) to pass.

Fiscal Impact: The current spending limit, established by voters in 1982, is $1 million. The measure raises the limit to $3.09 million - the 1982 limit adjusted for inflation as of December 2023 using the regional construction cost index.

Next San Diego County Measure: Measure I

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Details

Pro/Con

Pro:

Supporters argue that In 1982, voters in Carlsbad adopted Proposition H which prohibits the city from spending more than$1 million in city funds to acquire or improve real property unless the acquisition or improvements are first approved by the voters.

Since 1982, six measures related to projects exceeding $1 million have been passed by Carlsbad voters. These include the purchase of parkland, purchase and construction of The Crossings golf course, construction of Fire Station #2, construction of the Alga Norte Park and Aquatic Center as well as authorization to renovate the Monroe Street Pool. Measure B maintains voter authority established in 1982.

Measure B maintains the voter's role in authorizing the expenditure of city funds to acquire or improve real property through a modernization of Proposition H. This proposal adjusts the expenditure limit along with an inflation index to reflect current dollars while also providing an exemption for public safety.

Public safety projects will not be delayed.

A YES vote on this measure means the city may not spend more than $3.09 million in city funds (adjusted annually for inflation) on a real property acquisition or improvement project without voter approval. A "yes" vote also means spending city funds to acquire or improve public safety facilities would not require voter approval.

Con:

No official argument against Measure B was submitted.

A NO vote on this measure means the existing $1 million spending limit remains in place.

In Depth

In 1982, voters passed Proposition H (found in Chapter 1.24 of the municipal code and referenced in Article 4, Section 400 of the city charter). The proposition prohibits the city from spending more than $1 million in city funds for real property acquisition or improvement projects, excluding routine maintenance and repairs, without voter approval.

"City funds" are primarily money received from general taxes. "City funds" do not include money received from developer fees, assessments, or city enterprises (e.g., the golf course and water district).

Because Proposition H was adopted by the voters, it can only be amended by the voters.

The measure does not authorize spending for any specific project.

The measure does not change how the cost of projects are determined - generally by appraised fair market value for real property acquisitions and by competitive bidding for real property improvements.

The measure will not eliminate the need for voter approval for most future planned real property acquisition or improvement projects as they are expected to exceed the measure's adjusted spending limit. However, the measure allows the amount of city funds that can be spent before needing voter approval to reflect the original $1 million spending limit adjusted for inflation.

Excluding public safety projects from the spending limit reduces their completion time by the time required to obtain voter approval.

Source: Measure B Impartial Analysis

Voter Resources

Carlsbad Election Resources