Measure on the ballot in the 2020 California General Election in San Francisco.
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Get StartedThe City and County of San Francisco is proposing a $487.5 million Health and Recovery Bond for the November 2020 ballot to fund investments in public facilities that serve people experiencing mental health challenges, substance use disorder, and/or homelessness; safe and accessible parks, recreation facilities and open spaces throughout the City, and essential public infrastructure, including streets, curb ramps and the pedestrian right of way. San Francisco’s policy is to issue new bonds after previously issued bonds are retired and/or the tax base grows, as spelled out in our 10-Year Capital Plan. As this bond is in line with the most recently updated Capital Plan, property taxes levied for general obligation bonds will be maintained at or below the Fiscal Year 2006 rate as a result of this bond.
A "YES" vote on Proposition A is a vote in favor of authorizing the City of San Francisco to use general obligation bonds to raise $487.5 million in funds, which would be paid off via an estimated average tax of $0.014/$100 of assessed property value. The funds would be directed to housing and treatment programs for those facing homelessness or mental health challenges and would also pay for park improvement and street infrastructure projects.
A "NO" vote on Proposition A is a vote in opposition to authorizing the City of San Francisco to use general obligation bonds to raise $487.5 million in funds, which would be paid off via an estimated average tax of $0.014/$100 of assessed property value. The funds would be directed to housing and treatment programs for those facing homelessness or mental health challenges and would also pay for park improvement and street infrastructure projects.
"The City's policy of retiring old bonds before new bonds are issued ensures Proposition A does NOT raise taxes on homeowners. All bond expenditures are overseen by the Citizen's General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee.", in support of Proposition A (Learn more)
"Proposition A is a risky gamble. The office of the Controller projected that if the proposed $487.5 million in bonds are issued and sold, the total cost in interest and principal will be $960 million. The City simply cannot afford more debt in addition to the unfunded pension liability for the thousands of retired city workers.", in opposition to Proposition A (Learn more)
"Proposition A, San Francisco's Health and Recovery Bond, comes at a critical time. The COVID-19 pandemic has made our homelessness and mental health crisis even more challenging and underscored the need to create more shelter, permanent supportive housing, and expand our mental health resources.", in support of Proposition A (Learn more)
"COVID-19 has devastated our local economy and bond measures are a proven stimulus tool. San Francisco bonds created roughly 9,500 jobs during the Great Recession, so we know this measure will serve as an economic engine while making infrastructure improvements to our City.", in support of Proposition A (Learn more)
"The San Francisco economy is in a deep recession and the recovery will take years. The City's fiscal crisis will get worse. The City's unfunded pension liability is $3.6 billion and the City's cost per employee for pension benefits amounts to 25% of salary per employee in 2021. Proposition A debt combined with the increasing costs of pension and fringe benefits cannot be sustained or into the future.", in opposition to Proposition A (Learn more)
"Politicians have a built-in capacity for short-term thinking: the election cycle. They make promises and float policies designed for immediate impact -- spend for votes today. Proposition A spending will be unproductive, wasted under the guise of short-term benefits.", in opposition to Proposition A (Learn more)
To finance the acquisition or improvement of real property, including to: stabilize, improve, and make permanent investments in supportive housing facilities, shelters, and/or facilities that deliver services to persons experiencing mental health challenges, substance use disorder, and/or homelessness; improve the accessibility, safety and quality of parks, open spaces and recreation facilities; improve the accessibility, safety and condition of the City’s streets and other public right-of-way and related assets; and to pay related costs; shall the City and County of San Francisco issue $487,500,000 in general obligation bonds with a duration of up to 30 years from the time of issuance, an estimated average tax rate of $0.014/$100 of assessed property value, and projected average annual revenues of $40,000,000, subject to independent citizen oversight and regular audits? The City's current debt management policy is to keep the property tax rate for City general obligation bonds below the 2006 rate by issuing new bonds as older ones are retired and the tax base grows, though this property tax rate may vary based on other factors.
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