Summary of News Article About Half-percent Utility Tax (West Contra Costa County Times (01/26/10)

Supporters in Richmond are no longer trying to increase utility taxes by a half percent to raise $15 million for 3 under-enrolled neighborhood schools (Olinda and Grant elementaries and Kennedy High). The subject will now be piggy-backed onto the November election’s proposed change to the utility tax law to limit residents and businesses to one method of calculating (vs. 2).Supporters estimate $10 million in revenue/yr. If passes, a companion measure would direct the City to spend $1.5 million annually to keep open neighborhood schools with low enrollment. Councilmember Jim Rodgers is leading the “Save Our Schools” campaign. He and volunteers need 4,400 signatures to put the measure on the ballot.

Schwarzenegger may require the district to cut another $10 million next year. The district is also looking at a possible bond measure for capital projects on the June or November ballots to raise money.

The Richmond City Council agreed to bail out the district with $1.5 million for fiscal 2010-2011 to keep Olinda, Grant, and Kennedy off the closure list for two years and to buy time to find permanent funding.