A “YES” vote is a vote to authorize the levy of the annual special tax in an amount of $8 per parcel, as provided in the Measure.
Kelsey Cemetery DistrictMeasure C - 2/3 Approval Required
Kelsey Cemetery District
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.
Shall the Kelsey Cemetery District levy a special tax for the purpose of providing needed Kelsey Pioneer Cemetery building, road, grounds and record keeping improvements, and increased maintenance at an annual rate not to exceed $8.00 per District parcel per year with total annual revenue raised to be $7,640, and remaining in effect for 10 years be adopted?
What is this proposal?
Details — Official information
YES vote means
NO vote means
A “NO” vote is a vote against the levy of the special tax.
Impartial analysis / Proposal
David A. Livingston, El Dorado County, County Counsel
Measure C (the “Measure”), if approved by two-thirds of the voters voting thereon, would authorize the levy of a special tax at the rate of $8 per parcel (whether improved or unimproved) per year within the Kelsey Cemetery District (the “District”). This Measure was placed on the ballot by the Board of Trustees of the District pursuant to Resolution No. 19-01.
If approved, the special tax authorized by this Measure will be used solely for the purpose of providing improvements to buildings, roads, grounds, and record keeping, as well as to increase the level of maintenance, for the Kelsey Pioneer Cemetery. The special tax authorized by this Measure would become effective in Fiscal Year 2020/2021 and remain in effect for ten years. The special tax authorized by this Measure is expected to generate revenue of approximately $7,640 per year.
State law requires the proceeds from the special tax be applied only to the identified purposes and that an annual report be made indicating the amount of funds collected and expended and the status of any project required or authorized to be funded by the proceeds.
The special tax authorized by this Measure will be listed as a separate item on the county property tax bill for each affected parcel of land and will be collected in the same manner as the general property tax. All laws applicable to the levy, collection, and enforcement of county property taxes, including the provisions for penalties and the procedures for sale of the property in case of delinquency, shall also apply to the special tax. In the event of any ambiguity, uncertainty, or conflict regarding application of the special tax to a particular parcel of land, such ambiguity, uncertainty, or conflict shall be resolved by formal motion of the Board of Trustees of the District.
Published Arguments — Arguments for and against
Arguments FOR
The Kelsey and Garden Valley area was a very dynamic and key part of the life and experience of the Gold Rush. At its peak, Kelsey and Garden Valley had a population of about 20,000 people—including James Marshall. Marshall lived his last 17 years in Kelsey and Garden Valley.
The Kelsey Cemetery was originally established in about 1850. It is the repository of the hopes, dreams, successes and failures of the 1849 California Gold Rush. That history should be preserved.
Although, Marshall was buried in Coloma, many of his business partners, friends and neighbors were buried in the cemetery. The oldest known burial there was William Broadus, who was killed by a grizzly bear in 1852. Today, the cemetery is called “Kelsey Pioneer Cemetery”.
Among others buried there is Margaret Kelley who was a teacher in Kelsey and Garden Valley and other parts of EDC for 50 years and was Marshall’s neighbor— and biographer.
The Kelsey Cemetery District, which was formed in 1938, includes the southern 2/3rds of Garden Park, southern Garden Valley, Kelsey, Spanish Flat and Chili Bar. It is located at 6553 Kelsey Road.
The District receives less than $2,000 per year. Most of which is spent on insurance. The upkeep of interior roads, fencing, general maintenance, and other important aspects of keeping it open to the public, including for future burials, are in jeopardy.
Please join us in passing Measure C so (one of the last) remaining vestiges of the historical community of Kelsey continues to be adequately maintained and is able to accept future burials of loved ones who are part of the present ongoing history of those living in the District area.
Please vote yes on Measure C and participate in this small way in preserving antiquity and the future.
Charles W. Mehard, President of Kelsey Community Association
Sylvia D. Coleman, Board Member of Kelsey Community Association
Debra A. Reischel-Cree, Vice-President of Kelsey Community Association
R. Marina Mead, President of Kelsey Neighborly Circle
— El Dorado County Voter Information Guide
Arguments AGAINST
NO ARGUMENTS AGAINST THIS MEASURE WERE SUBMITTED
— El Dorado County Voter Information Guide
Read the proposed legislation
Use tabs to select your choice. Use return to create a choice. You can access your choices by navigating to 'My Choices'.
