To learn more about measures, follow the links for each tab in this section. For most screenreaders, you can hit Return or Enter to enter a tab and read the content within.
Election Results
Passed
1,235 votes yes (84.07%)
234 votes no (15.93%)
100% of precincts reporting (3/3).
1,469 ballots counted.
Shall Ordinance NO. 888-18 be adopted authorizing a commercial cannabis business tax in the City of Blythe of up to three dollars per square foot of cultivation, up to two percent of gross receipts for all other cannabis businesses and an annual business license fee of five thousand dollars to maintain essential public safety and general city services including, but not limited to, police, fire, park and street maintenance, recreation and economic development?
What is this proposal?
Details — Official information
Impartial analysis / Proposal
Blythe Deputy City Attorney
The City Council of the City of Blythe has placed on the ballot an ordinance (the “Ordinance”) to impose a tax on commercial cannabis activity within the City. The Ordinance will not go into effect unless a majority of those voting on the measure vote “yes.” If approved by the voters, the Ordinance will impose an annual maximum tax of $3 per square foot of space used as a cannabis cultivation area and a maximum tax of 2% of gross receipts and an annual business license fee of 5,000 for those engaged in commercial cannabis activity. As an excise tax, the tax will be paid by cannabis businesses. It is not a sales or use tax imposed directly on cannabis users or consumers. The tax does not apply to the use of cannabis or the cultivation of cannabis for personal use as authorized by state law. The Ordinance authorizes the City Council to adjust the tax rates to an amount below the maximum rate authorized by the Ordinance, and authorizes the City Manager to promulgate rules and procedures to implement and enforce the Ordinance, including procedures to address deficiencies in payment of the tax. The tax imposed by the Ordinance is a general tax under state law, and all taxes collected under the Ordinance will be placed in the City’s general fund and may be used for any City purpose. The amount of revenue to be generated by the tax is undetermined at this time.
By: Keith F. Collins
Deputy City Attorney
The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure “D.” If you desire a copy of the ordinance or measure, please call the elections official’s office at (760) 922-6161 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.
Published Arguments — Arguments for and against
Arguments FOR
We urge you to vote “YES” on Measure D to place a tax on all Commercial Cannabis Businesses operating in Blythe.
In 2017 the Blythe City Council passed a series of laws to permit and regulate cannabis businesses in accordance with Prop 64. The City Council has begun to issue permits to these businesses which will be operational shortly.
In order to collect revenue from this new industry to help our City grow, fund essential public safety services such as police and fire, improve our parks, repair our roads and to mitigate any negative impacts these businesses may bring, we need a YES vote on Measure D. If the measure does not pass by a majority of voters, the City will have no ability to collect revenue from these businesses.
This Measure only places a tax on cannabis business operating in the City and is not a tax on local residents. Other cities in California have passed similar taxes and Blythe’s tax at $3 per sq. ft of cultivation and 2% of gross receipts for all other cannabis businesses is very competitive. This will not hinder businesses from opening or operating in Blythe, and could bring a much needed new revenue source to the City and its residents.
Let’s help the City of Blythe prosper by voting YES on Measure D on June 5, 2018.
By: Dale S. Reynolds, Mayor
Bashar Hasroon
Leslie Jessop-Watkins
Rory D. Watkins
Angel Ramirez
— Riverside County Registrar of Voters
Arguments AGAINST
NO ARGUMENT FILED AGAINST MEASURE “D”
— Riverside County Registrar of Voters
