Parcel tax measure gets name, support from businesses Parcel tax measure gets name, support from businesses (December 19, 2003)

Most homeowners would pay $75 a year

By Julie O'Shea

In a growing show of support from the business community, the Chamber of Commerce announced Monday that it will back Mountain View-Whisman School District's efforts to pass a $1.6 million parcel tax measure this spring.

The tax -- called Measure J -- is set to go before voters March 2.

"The board of directors was very impressed with the collaborative effort that led to this measure, and we felt the result was fair and reasonable," Marcos Quinones, the chair of the chamber board, said in a statement.

If passed by the necessary two-thirds vote, Measure J will impose a tax on individual parcels based on the size of the land. For instance, property owners with parcels up to 8,000 square feet will pay $75 a year. Parcels from 8,001 to 14,000 square feet will be assessed $150. No property owner will pay more than $600.

Property owners whose plots are divided into multiple parcels would only be taxed once. Seniors could also apply for an exemption.

"This parcel tax measure is a culmination of a lot of hard work, time, energy and thoughtfulness by all segments of the community -- including business," chamber President Carol Olson said in a statement. "This was truly a collaboration, and we believe that the outcome is something that the entire community can get behind."

This was a far different stance than what faced the school district last year when it tried to pass Measure E -- a $2.5 million tax that would have imposed a 5-cents-per square-foot fee on all buildings in the city. Many businesses, some which would have been taxed more than $50,000, vigorously campaigned against the measure. The chamber decided not to take a stance on that tax.

"It's a step in the right direction. I feel very confident we have the support of the community members this time," said Measure J co-chair Teri Jara, a Monta Loma Elementary parent. "It's a huge step in the right direction for the kids."

But Gloria Higgins, campaign co-chair and school board member, said the support of the chamber doesn't necessarily guarantee a win on the March ballot, which will see presidential primary hopefuls and a $15 billion statewide bond measure. She anticipates there will still be a lot of hard work ahead.

"We will have to keep our message in front," Higgins said, adding that the Measure J campaign will hold a kick-off party Jan. 10.

E-mail Julie O'Shea at joshea@mv-voice.com

E-mail a friend a link to this story.