Approval of Measure LC ("Measure") would authorize the Board of Education ("Board") of the La Canada Unified School District ("District"), which placed the measure on the ballot by Resolution No. 6-19-20, to renew the expiring school parcel tax at a rate of $450 per parcel of taxable real property ("Tax") beginning in the year 2020-21 and adjusted annually for inflation in an amount not to exceed 3% annually. If approved, the Tax will be levied annually beginning July 1, 2020, and continue unless and until the Tax is repealed.
The Tax revenues would be used to continue advanced academic programs in math, science, technology, as well as reading, writing and the arts; attract and retain qualified teachers; maintain manageable class sizes; and prepare students for the best colleges and universities and high demand careers.
Any parcels that are contiguous to each other, in actual use as one residential or non-residential economic unit, and held under identical ownership shall, upon approval of an application to the District, be treated as a single parcel for purposes of the Tax. The "contiguous treatment" is available as prescribed by the Governing Board. All property that would otherwise be exempt from ad valorem property taxes will also be exempt from the special parcel tax as determined by the Treasurer and Tax Collector. Additionally, exemptions are available, upon application to the District, on any parcel owned by: one or more persons aged 65 years or older who occupies the parcel as a principal residence ("Senior Citizen Exemption"), individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income for a disability, regardless of age ("SSI Exemption"), and for individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, regardless of age and whose yearly income does not exceed 250 percent of the 2012 federal poverty guidelines ("SSDI Exemption"). These exemptions are available as prescribed by the Governing Board or as otherwise required by law. Although the decision of the District is final and binding as to the contiguous treatment of a parcel and the Senior Citizen, SSDI and SSI Exemptions.
The Governing Board shall establish an independent Citizens' Oversight Committee to review expenditures of the proceeds of the Tax to ensure that such proceeds are applied only to authorized purposes. An account shall be established into which the proceeds shall be deposited. An annual report shall be filed with the Governing Board stating the amount collected and expended, and the status of any project required or authorized to be funded.
The taxes levied under this Measure shall be collected by the County of Los Angeles Treasurer and Tax Collector at the same time and manner, and subject to the same penalties, as general ad valorem property taxes. Unpaid taxes shall bear interest at the same rate as the rate for unpaid ad valorem property taxes.
This measures requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote for passage.
