Politics & Government

Election Wrap: Voters Approve 6 Measures in Sonoma County

Bond measures in five school districts in Sonoma County and a Cotati sales tax extension measure all passed in Tuesday's election, according to unofficial results.

Measure B asked voters in the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District to approve the sale of $80 million in bonds to replace electrical, heating, plumbing and ventilation systems, and improve classrooms, science labs and school libraries.

It passed with 63 percent approval.

[Related: Election Wrap: Supe Rabbitt Re-Elected; Fudge, Gore Head to November Runoff.]

The Petaluma Joint Union High School District, which includes part of Marin County, sought approval of Measure C, a $68 million bond issue to upgrade school facilities.

It was approved with 63.9 percent of the vote.

Voters passed Measure D in the Bellevue Union School District, a proposal for a $12 million bond sale to build new classrooms and rehabilitate buildings and grounds, purchase solar panels and equipment and make other facility improvements.

It won 62.7 percent approval.

[Related: Neel Kashkari: The Man Who Will Square off with Gov. Brown.]

Sixty-seven percent of voters in the Petaluma City School District approved Measure E, a $21 million bond measure to repair, renovate and modernize schools.

The Rincon Valley Union School District proposed Measure F, a $35 million bond sale to add classrooms, upgrade libraries, science and computer labs and improve energy efficiency. It got 66 percent of the vote.

All the bond measures required 55 percent approval.

Cotati voters narrowly approved Measure G, a proposal to replace 2010's Measure A's 8.75 percent tax rate with a 9.25 percent tax, the highest in Sonoma County, for nine years.

It needed majority approval and won 52.8 percent approval. City officials said the 9.25 percent tax will prevent the elimination of the Cotati Police Department.

The Mayor and City Council and Cotati Chamber of Commerce said the city has reduced staffing by 28 percent, frozen wages for six years, reduced employee benefits and reduced its general fund by 11 percent.

Measure G proponents said the majority of Cotati's sales tax is paid by out-of-town shoppers who shop at local destinations like Lowe's Home Improvement store.

The tax does not apply to groceries or prescription medication. Former Cotati City Councilwoman Patty Minnis was opposed to Measure G.

"It's not necessary. There is no fiscal emergency. We're in the black until 2016," Minis said. Minnis said the assertion that Cotati is in danger of losing its police force is "a scare tactic."

"It's not a police issue at all. It's a management problem," Minnis said.

The city's population increased by 400 residents in the past 18 years, Minnis said.

"They need to stop and go back to where they were," Minnis said.

Related election coverage:


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