MBUSD Parcel Tax Measure Discussion Returns
Mar 20, 2023 08:22AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
As the Measure MB parcel tax nears its expiration date, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District has renewed discussions about a new parcel tax to take its place.
Last week, the MBUSD school board approved a contract estimated at $91,000 to retain consultants TeamCivX for a feasibility assessment and ballot measure development for a potential future parcel tax measure.
"There’s so much uncertainty in the [state] budget," said MBUSD board member Jen Fenton at last week's board meeting. "If we can have that stable local revenue stream and continue it - whether it’s for six years or in perpetuity - we’d be foolish not to invest the time and some of our resources into getting that done."
Measure MB was approved by Manhattan Beach voters in June 2018 with 69.25% of the vote. It taxes homeowners at $225 per year, per parcel (with exemptions for senior citizens and low-income residents with disabilities).
The 2021/22 Measure MB assessment included 13,123 total parcels and 2,138 exempt parcels, which equated to a 16.3% exemption rate. Total assessed parcels were 10,985.
The measure generates approximately $2.5 million for Manhattan Beach public schools. The money stays in the district and is used to attract and retain high-quality teachers; maintain manageable class sizes; and protect quality math, science, reading, art and music programs.
It is set to expire on June 30, 2024.
Parcel Tax Options Explored
The district has several factors to consider in creating a new parcel tax; specifically, when to hold the election; how much money the district should seek per year; whether a cost of living adjustment (COLA) should be factored in to the tax; how long the tax should last; and whether the district should expand categories for which the money can be used.
Consultant Charles Heath gave the board several dates to consider for the new measure: a special election on August 29, 2023 (which would require the measure to qualify for the ballot by June 2); a regular special election on November 7, 2023; the statewide primary election on March 5, 2024; a regular special election on April 2, 2024; or a mail ballot special election on May 7, 2024.
He also displayed a variety of options for the amount of the parcel tax, and earlier polling that had been on those choices.
The options ranged from conservative (keeping the same parcel tax in place for 6 more years) to ambitious (adding more money and a COLA adjustment), with different timelines.
Heath cautioned that polling approval numbers had shown variability during COVID, but that renewing the parcel tax still appeared to be "within the voters' comfort zone" - and adding a COLA might be palatable as well. (The measure would require a two-thirds vote to pass.)
During the forthcoming public planning process, he said, there would be a feasibility study, consensus-building, and then building a parcel tax measure. An independent campaign committee would then take over the measure as the campaign begins.
"I think the citizens - our constituency - has told us that we
need to listen to them," said MBUSD Board Chair Cathey Graves. "I think it’s critical in evaluating the amount
that we want to go out for." Residents she has spoken with support the
idea of a parcel tax, she added, but they want it to be "the right amount."
Forming a Consensus
As the district prepares to take another dive into the parcel tax issue, the school board remains wary of a repeat of Measure A. In early 2022, a group of residents had tried to create a new parcel tax - Measure A - that would overlap with Measure MB and run through 2034. It would have raised $1,095 (plus inflation, capped at the lesser of CPI or no more than
5% per year) per year, per parcel, over 12 years.
Since Measure A had been brought forward by a citizens' group, rather than
the school board, the measure would have required only a
50 percent vote for passage. Nevertheless, the measure faced criticism for both the amount of money and the length of time. It ultimately went down in June 2022 by a vote of 68%-32%.
"We need the stable local revenue stream, but I'll also add that we saw what happened with last year’s measure," said board member Bruce Greenberg. "There was a lot of divisiveness within the community; we have to bridge that gap. We have to figure this out together: what the community will get behind and what will work."
"And maybe this [feasibility study and consensus-building] is a great tool to do that 'bridging' - bring everybody together to say 'What are we comfortable with to better our schools for our students?'" added Fenton. "It's a really palatable mission that I think everybody can get behind on both sides."
Heath concurred: "Two-thirds elections can only work when you have that broad consensus. You're not going to get two out of every three people to agree on something when there's any sort of division. It's like Measure MB - you've got to bring people together."
