City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2024-00974 5/21/2024 Discussion Item 17.
Ordinance: Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure [In Lieu of Pass for Publication Ordinance to be Published in its Entirety]
File ID: 2024-00974
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: 1) Pass a Motion pursuant to Council Rule of Procedure 13.B.1.b.(ii) to have the ordinance bypass the Law and Legislation Committee, and 2) adopt an Ordinance to be placed on the November 5, 2024 ballot, to combine and extend the existing parcel taxes funding City library services.
Contact: Jarrid Keller, Deputy Director, Sacramento Public Library Authority, (916) 264-2830, [email protected]; Johnny Ea, Finance Manager, Sacramento Public Library Authority, (916) 264- 2744, [email protected]; Peter Coletto, Director of Finance, (916) 808-5416, [email protected]; Eric Frederick, Special Districts Manager, (916) 808-5129, [email protected], Department of Finance
Presenter: Jarrid Keller, Deputy Director, Sacramento Public Library Authority, (916) 264-2830, [email protected]; Johnny Ea, Finance Manager, Sacramento Public Library Authority, (916) 264- 2744, [email protected]; Leyne Milstein, Assistant City Manager, (916) 808-8491, [email protected], Office of the City Manager.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Background
3-Ordinance (Redline)
4-Ordinance (Clean)
Additional Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: In 2004, more than 70% of Sacramento voters approved Measure X, a library parcel tax to facilitate the Sacramento Public Library's (SPL’s) ability to deliver library services to citizens through its 12 library locations in the City. However, with the addition of new libraries and the program specifications included in Measure X (youth services, technology, and other new services), funding for library operations remained challenging.
File ID: 2024-00974 5/21/2024 Discussion Item 17.
In response, 73% of Sacramento voters approved Measure B in 2014, which was a supplemental twelve-year parcel tax, to enable the SPL to continue to provide core library services to citizens at the City’s 12 libraries.
Measure X was extended, but not increased, in 2016 with the approval of 79% of Sacramento voters for a period of 10 years. This allowed library operations to be maintained at levels desired by the community.
City libraries serve as vital resources for Sacramento residents. With over 711,000 visits last year, the 12 City libraries accounted for almost 50% of total library traffic and nearly 40% of all the physical materials borrowed from the library system.
SPL offers an extensive range of programs and services to City residents at 12 locations, including but not limited to:
· Free access to the library’s collection of books, ebooks, audiobooks, music, movies, games, and online learning and research tools.
· Free public wi-fi and computer access. Community members logged 136,305 hours of computer use at City branches.
· Programs that support lifelong learning and community engagement for children, teens, and adults.
· Adult literacy tutoring and Career Online High School program. · Free lunch at the library is served to children under 18 during the summer at Colonial Heights, Del Paso Heights, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Valley Hi-North Laguna libraries. More than 4,200 meals were served to kids in 2023.
· Student Success Library Cards for all students within the Elk Grove Unified School District, Natomas Unified School District, Robla School District, Sacramento City Unified School District, and Twin Rivers Unified School District.
· State-of-the-art Makerspace at the Central Library and recording studio at Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.
· Seed libraries at Colonial Heights, North Sacramento-Hagginwood, Robbie Waters Pocket- Greenhaven, and South Natomas libraries.
· Cake Pan Library at Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library. · Library of Things collection of more than 30 items ranging from household tools to music and
File ID: 2024-00974 5/21/2024 Discussion Item 17.
creative equipment at Valley Hi-North Laguna library.
· E-Trikes at Colonial Heights Library.
· 24-Hour Book Kiosk at the Del Paso Heights Library.
· Regional Archives at the Sacramento Room at the Central Library.
For the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/24, Measure B will generate approximately $2.7 million and Measure X will generate approximately $6.9 million. This combined $9.6 million in annual revenue supports the library’s $57.6 million operating budget for FY2023/24, or approximately 16.7% of the needed resources.
Measure B expires at the end of FY2025/26, and Measure X expires at the end of FY2026/27. To maintain funding and service levels provided by these two measures, staff recommends that Council ask the voters to combine and extend these parcel taxes into a single parcel tax at the current tax rates and to levy this combined parcel tax to maintain library operations. The proposed parcel tax will be imposed until it is ended by the voters, and will be equal to the sum of the two existing parcel tax rates as adjusted each year based on the percentage increase in the June-to-June Consumer Price Index (CPI) - San Francisco-San Jose-Oakland All Urban Consumers, provided that the increase will not exceed 3% in any year. The current Measure B and Measure X parcel taxes include the same annual increase provision. The combined parcel tax rate for FY 2023-2024 on the November 2024 ballot will be $54.50 single-family residential parcels, and specified amounts for other uses. A table specifying the amounts for other uses is included in the proposed ordinance (Attachment 3).
Policy Considerations: A parcel tax requires two-thirds voter approval, and the next election is in November 2024. Combining the two parcel taxes into one does not change the total amount of parcel taxes paid by any given property for library services. If not approved, parcel tax revenues from Measure B will no longer be received after FY2025/26 and will no longer be received from Measure X after FY2026/27. Extending the proposed parcel tax in perpetuity will ensure funding remains available for library operations in future years.
To place a measure on the November 2024 ballot, the ordinance should be approved by May 21, 2024. The election timeline below outlines upcoming dates and deadlines. In lieu of pass for publication, the ordinance will be published in its entirety within ten days of adoption by Council as allowed for by City Charter section 32(d).
05/21/2024 Council meeting to adopt ordinance, which is subject to voter approval 05/28/2024 Council meeting to call election and place the measure on the ballot; administrative approvals; select argument authors and set argument regulations; and direct the preparation of the impartial analysis
File ID: 2024-00974 5/21/2024 Discussion Item 17.
Note: As a preview for the May 28 actions, the following is the proposed ballot question if the council places the measure on the ballot:
Sacramento Library Parcel Tax Extensions. Shall the measure combining and extending existing parcel taxes generating approximately $9.6 million/year for library services - including programs for children, teens, and seniors; homework assistance; operating hours; books; 24/7 online access; and other services - at current rates (single-family residences $54.50/year; other properties at specified amounts; adjusted annually for inflation), with independent financial audits ensuring funds are only spent on City of Sacramento libraries, until ended by voters, be adopted?
08/09/2024 (E88) Last legal date for measure to be placed on the ballot 11/05/2024 Election
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): Under the CEQA Guidelines, creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment do not constitute a project and are therefore exempt from CEQA review (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15378(b)(2), (b)(4)).
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: The proposed parcel tax, if approved, will consolidate and renew the City’s existing Measure B and Measure X library parcel taxes, and is essential to maintain funding for the City’s libraries. In addition, the proposed parcel tax would extend the term of the proposed parcel tax in perpetuity to ensure the funding source remains a certainty in future years.
Financial Considerations: The proposed parcel tax rates are a combination of the two existing Measure B and Measure X rates and do not represent an increased rate for any property category.
Projected parcel tax revenues for FY2023/24 are estimated to be around $9.65 million and will be solely used to fund SPL’s library services and costs for administration of the parcel tax program.
File ID: 2024-00974 5/21/2024 Discussion Item 17.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
BACKGROUND
On November 2, 2004, the City’s library special assessment was approved by 72.38% of City of Sacramento voters to be replaced with an equivalent parcel tax (Measure X).
The parcel tax went into effect on July 1, 2007, and was set to expire on June 30, 2017.
The measure includes an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) tied to adjustments in the consumer price index (CPI) and included a required Maintenance of Effort (MOE) contribution from the General Fund of $7.6 million annually. The parcel tax was designed to supplement the City’s General Fund contribution to SPL and enhance library services in City branches including expanded services for children, improved technology, additional hours of operation, and new library services.
Measure X was extended, but not increased, in 2016 with the approval of 79% of Sacramento voters for a period of 10 years. The Measure X current parcel tax, which consists of a variety of tax rates depending on property type, will generate approximately $6.9 million this fiscal year. The current residential rates are as follows:
Measure X Current Residential Parcel Tax Rates (FY2023/24)
Residential Parcel Types Amount
Single-family (SFR) $39.23
Multifamily1 a. 1-4 units (per unit) $29.42
b.
5-15 units (per
unit) $19.61
c. 16+ units (per unit) $9.81
Condominiums $29.42
Mobile Homes $19.61
1 Add a. plus b. plus c. for total Multifamily tax per parcel as applicable.
In 2014, Sacramento voters approved a supplemental twelve-year parcel tax in Measure B. The addition of the Measure B parcel tax allowed SPL to continue to provide core library services to the City’s citizens and stabilize library operations.
Measure B included the same COLA tied to adjustments in the CPI. The current Measure B parcel tax, which also consists of a variety of tax rates depending on property type, will generate approximately $2.7 million this fiscal year. The current residential parcel rates are as follows:
Measure B Current Residential Parcel Tax Rates (FY2023/24)
Residential Parcel Types Amount
Single-family (SFR) $15.27
Multifamily1 a. 1-4 units (per unit) $11.46
b.
5-15 units (per
unit) $7.64
c. 16+ units (per unit) $3.82
Condominiums $11.46
Mobile Homes $7.64
1 Add a. plus b. plus c. for total Multifamily tax per parcel as applicable.
THE CHALLENGE
Measure B is set to expire at the end of FY2025/26 and Measure X is set to expire at the end of FY2026/27. Without the combined $9.6 million in annual funding, SPL will not be able to provide the same level of service to the citizens of Sacramento at the City’s 12 libraries.
The City’s annual contribution of $14.3 million from Measure U, revenue from fees, interest income and facility rental, and the $9.6 million in funds from Measure B and Measure X comprise the funding for City library locations. Because both Measure B and Measure X will expire in the next 3 years, it is important to combine these parcel taxes into one single parcel tax and to levy this combined parcel tax in perpetuity to maintain library operations. The proposed combined parcel tax will be equal to the sum of the two existing parcel tax rates and will be automatically adjusted each year based on the percentage change in CPI, but not to exceed 3%. To provide further stability to library operations, it is proposed that this new parcel tax be levied in perpetuity. The proposed residential parcel rates are as follows:
Proposed Combined Residential Parcel Tax Rates (FY2023/24)
Residential Parcel Types Amount
Single-family (SFR) $54.50
Multifamily1 a. 1-4 units (per unit) $40.88
b.
5-15 units (per
unit) $27.25
c. 16+ units (per unit) $13.63
Condominiums $40.88
Mobile Homes $27.25
1 Add a. plus b. plus c. for total Multifamily tax per parcel as applicable.
LIBRARIES AND COMMUNITY VITALITY
SPL has earned a national reputation for providing innovative services that meet the needs of a growing and changing Sacramento. Citizens are using the City’s libraries to learn new skills, search for jobs, prepare young people for school and careers, read for pleasure, research small business opportunities and earn their high school diplomas.
ORDINANCE NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
[Date Adopted]
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3.148 AND DELETING CHAPTER 3.150 OF THE
SACRAMENTO CITY CODE, RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATION AND EXTENSION OF THE
EXISTING PARCEL TAXES FOR LIBRARY SERVICES
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO:
SECTION 1.
On November 2, 2004, the voters of the City of Sacramento approved, by a two-thirds vote, a parcel tax within the City of Sacramento for the purpose of funding additional library services, including children’s programs, homework centers, increased hours, new book funding, and technology in branch libraries (Measure X). The parcel tax was set at $26.60 per year for single- family residences and specified amounts for all other properties for 10 years beginning with the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Rate increases are limited to 3% annually.
In 2014, the voters of the City of Sacramento approved, by a two-thirds vote, a supplemental 12-year, $12 per-parcel tax, generating nearly $1.9 million annually beginning in fiscal year 2014-2015 (Measure B), to stabilize library funding and avoid deep service level cuts. This tax allowed the Sacramento Public Library to continue providing core library services at the City’s libraries.
On June 7, 2016, Sacramento voters approved the extension of Measure X for an additional 10 years beginning in fiscal year 2017-2018. The voters also approved the removal of the restrictions on use of the funds, allowing the parcel tax revenue to be used for all library services.
The purpose of this ordinance is to consolidate and extend the existing parcel taxes for library services, subject to the same annual adjustments as the existing taxes, until the tax is repealed by the voters. This ordinance takes effect on July 1, 2025, if City of Sacramento voters approve it by a two-thirds vote.
Parcel tax revenue will be used for library services, including, without limitation, programs for children, teens, and seniors; regular open hours at city libraries; library staff; acquisition of books, magazines, newspapers, media, and other library materials; and access to technology at city libraries.
SECTION 2.
Chapter 3.148 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 3.148 PARCEL TAX FOR LIBRARY SERVICES
3.148.010 Parcel tax imposed.
A parcel tax for library services is imposed upon every parcel of real property in the city.
Library services include, without limitation, programs for children, teens, and seniors; regular open hours at city libraries; library staff; acquisition of books, magazines, newspapers, media, and other library materials; and access to technology at city libraries.
3.148.020 Tax rates.
The tax rates for fiscal year 2023-202407-2008 shall beare as follows:
Residential
Single family $54.5026.60
Multi-family a. $40.8819.95 per unit, units 1-4
b. $27.2513.30 per unit, units 5-15
c. $13.636.65 per unit, units over 15
(Add a. plus b. plus c. for total multi-family tax
per parcel)
Condominiums $40.8819.95 per condominium
Mobile Homes $27.2513.30 per mobile home
Non-Residential
Institutional $245.26119.70 per acre (first 5 acres)
$61.3229.83 per acre (acres over 5)
Professional $163.5179.80 per acre (first 5 acres)
$40.8819.95 per acre (acres over 5)
Commercial/Industrial and Recreational $81.7539.90 per acre (first 5 acres) $20.459.98 per acre (acres over 5)
Vacant
(Misc. vacant, parking lots, airports,
cemeteries and mortuaries)
$20.459.98 per acre (maximum taxed area per
parcel: 5 acres)
Exempt Uses
Common area, Agriculture, Utilities, Public
Agencies
$0.00
3.148.030 Annual adjustment of tax rates.
The tax rates for fiscal year 202307-202408 set forth in section 3.148.020 shall be increased annually in proportion to the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), San Francisco Area, all items, most recently available prior to the date of increase, provided, however, that this increase shall not exceed three percent in any year.
3.148.040 Collection by the county.
The tax shall be collected on behalf of the city by the county auditor. The city clerk shall file with the county auditor a certified copy of a tax roll with a request that the taxes be posted to the county roll for general property taxes. This filing shall occur on or before August 1st of the fiscal year in which the taxes are to be collected. The tax shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner and shall be subject to the same late charges and penalties for delinquency as general property taxes and all laws providing for the collection and enforcement of such property taxes shall apply to the collection and enforcement of the tax. After deduction of the collection charges of the county auditor, the net amount of the taxes collected shall be remitted to the city for transfer to the Sacramento Public Library Authority to be used to provide library services within the city of Sacramento.
3.148.050 Parcel tax not to replace general fund contribution.
The city’s current general fund contribution to library services may not be replaced by the parcel tax. If the city general fund contribution to the Sacramento Public Library Authority is reduced below seven million six hundred thirty-five thousand six hundred dollars ($7,635,600.00), the parcel tax shall not be levied; provided, however, that if the reduction to the city general fund contribution is no more than the same proportion of reduction that is imposed on the city’s net general fund budget for non-safety departments (which are all operating departments except police and fire) in any year during the ten-year period of the tax, then the tax nonetheless may still be levied. (The city’s net general fund budget for non-safety departments is the total general fund contribution to their operating budgets excluding expenditures that are offset by fees or other non-tax revenues.) Following any reduction from the minimum level of seven million six hundred thirty-five thousand six hundred dollars ($7,635,600.00) and for the parcel tax to be levied in any subsequent year, the Sacramento Public Library Authority library must receive increases in its city general fund contribution proportional to the increases in the non-safety departments’ net general fund budgets up to at least the minimum level of seven million six hundred thirty-five thousand six hundred dollars ($7,635,600.00), before the parcel tax can be levied in any subsequent year.
3.148.060 Ten-year tTerm.
The tax imposed by this chapter ends with fiscal year 2026-2027.This chapter remains in effect until repealed by the electorate of the city.
3.148.070 Low-income rebate.
The city manager shall establish a program to rebate any tax imposed by this chapter that is paid with respect to residential property that is the principal residence of the owner, if the gross household income is eighty (80%) percent or less of the Sacramento County area median income as published annually by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department.
3.148.080 Independent annual audit.
The proceeds resulting from the parcel tax imposed by this chapter shall be transferred to the Sacramento Public Library Authority, to be held in a separate account, and are subject to the same independent annual audit requirements as other Sacramento Public Library Authority revenues. The independent auditor’s report, which shallmust include an accounting of the revenues received and expenditures made from the parcel tax, willshall be presented annually to the Sacramento Public Library Authority board and made available for public review.
SECTION 3.
Chapter 3.150 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby deleted.
SECTION 4. Severability.
If any portion of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining portions of this ordinance shall remain in effect. The people of the City of Sacramento hereby declare that they would have adopted each portion of this ordinance, notwithstanding the fact that any one or more portions of this ordinance is declared invalid or unenforceable and, to that end, the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
SECTION 5. Voter Approval; Effective Date.
This ordinance is effective only if approved by two-thirds of the voters voting on this ordinance, and if so approved goes into effect on July 1, 2025.
ORDINANCE NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
[Date Adopted]
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3.148 AND DELETING CHAPTER 3.150 OF THE
SACRAMENTO CITY CODE, RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATION AND EXTENSION OF THE
EXISTING PARCEL TAXES FOR LIBRARY SERVICES
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO:
SECTION 1.
On November 2, 2004, the voters of the City of Sacramento approved, by a two-thirds vote, a parcel tax within the City of Sacramento for the purpose of funding additional library services, including children’s programs, homework centers, increased hours, new book funding, and technology in branch libraries (Measure X). The parcel tax was set at $26.60 per year for single- family residences and specified amounts for all other properties for 10 years beginning with the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Rate increases are limited to 3% annually.
In 2014, the voters of the City of Sacramento approved, by a two-thirds vote, a supplemental 12-year, $12 per-parcel tax, generating nearly $1.9 million annually beginning in fiscal year 2014-2015 (Measure B), to stabilize library funding and avoid deep service level cuts. This tax allowed the Sacramento Public Library to continue providing core library services at the City’s libraries.
On June 7, 2016, Sacramento voters approved the extension of Measure X for an additional 10 years beginning in fiscal year 2017-2018. The voters also approved the removal of the restrictions on use of the funds, allowing the parcel tax revenue to be used for all library services.
The purpose of this ordinance is to consolidate and extend the existing parcel taxes for library services, subject to the same annual adjustments as the existing taxes, until the tax is repealed by the voters. This ordinance takes effect on July 1, 2025, if City of Sacramento voters approve it by a two-thirds vote.
Parcel tax revenue will be used for library services, including, without limitation, programs for children, teens, and seniors; regular open hours at city libraries; library staff; acquisition of books, magazines, newspapers, media, and other library materials; and access to technology at city libraries.
SECTION 2.
Chapter 3.148 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 3.148 PARCEL TAX FOR LIBRARY SERVICES
3.148.010 Parcel tax imposed.
A parcel tax for library services is imposed upon every parcel of real property in the city.
Library services include, without limitation, programs for children, teens, and seniors; regular open hours at city libraries; library staff; acquisition of books, magazines, newspapers, media, and other library materials; and access to technology at city libraries.
3.148.020 Tax rates.
The tax rates for fiscal year 2023-2024 are as follows:
Residential
Single family $54.50
Multi-family a. $40.88 per unit, units 1-4
b. $27.25 per unit, units 5-15
c. $13.63 per unit, units over 15
(Add a. plus b. plus c. for total multi-family tax
per parcel)
Condominiums $40.88 per condominium
Mobile Homes $27.25 per mobile home
Non-Residential
Institutional $245.26 per acre (first 5 acres)
$61.32 per acre (acres over 5)
Professional $163.51 per acre (first 5 acres)
$40.88 per acre (acres over 5)
Commercial/Industrial and Recreational $81.75 per acre (first 5 acres) $20.45 per acre (acres over 5)
Vacant
(Misc. vacant, parking lots, airports,
cemeteries and mortuaries)
$20.45 per acre (maximum taxed area per
parcel: 5 acres)
Exempt Uses
Common area, Agriculture, Utilities, Public
Agencies
$0.00
3.148.030 Annual adjustment of tax rates.
The tax rates for fiscal year 2023-2024 set forth in section 3.148.020 shall be increased annually in proportion to the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), San Francisco Area, all items, most recently available prior to the date of increase, provided, however, that this increase shall not exceed three percent in any year.
3.148.040 Collection by the county.
The tax shall be collected on behalf of the city by the county auditor. The city clerk shall file with the county auditor a certified copy of a tax roll with a request that the taxes be posted to the county roll for general property taxes. This filing shall occur on or before August 1st of the fiscal year in which the taxes are to be collected. The tax shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner and shall be subject to the same late charges and penalties for delinquency as general property taxes and all laws providing for the collection and enforcement of such property taxes shall apply to the collection and enforcement of the tax. After deduction of the collection charges of the county auditor, the net amount of the taxes collected shall be remitted to the city for transfer to the Sacramento Public Library Authority to be used to provide library services within the city of Sacramento.
3.148.050 Parcel tax not to replace general fund contribution.
The city’s current general fund contribution to library services may not be replaced by the parcel tax. If the city general fund contribution to the Sacramento Public Library Authority is reduced below $7,635,600, the parcel tax shall not be levied; provided, however, that if the reduction to the city general fund contribution is no more than the same proportion of reduction that is imposed on the city’s net general fund budget for non-safety departments (which are all operating departments except police and fire) in any year, the tax may still be levied.
The city’s net general fund budget for non-safety departments is the total general fund contribution to their operating budgets excluding expenditures that are offset by fees or other non-tax revenues. Following any reduction from the minimum level of $7,635,600 the Sacramento Public Library Authority must receive increases in its city general fund contribution proportional to the increases in the non-safety departments’ net general fund budgets up to at least the minimum level of $7,635,600, before the parcel tax can be levied in any subsequent year.
3.148.060 Term.
This chapter remains in effect until repealed by the electorate of the city.
3.148.070 Low-income rebate.
The city manager shall establish a program to rebate any tax imposed by this chapter that is paid with respect to residential property that is the principal residence of the owner, if the gross household income is 80% or less of the Sacramento County area median income as published annually by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department.
3.148.080 Independent annual audit.
The proceeds resulting from the parcel tax imposed by this chapter shall be transferred to the Sacramento Public Library Authority, to be held in a separate account, and are subject to the same independent annual audit requirements as other Sacramento Public Library Authority revenues. The independent auditor’s report, which must include an accounting of the revenues received and expenditures made from the parcel tax, shall be presented annually to the Sacramento Public Library Authority board and made available for public review.
SECTION 3.
Chapter 3.150 of the Sacramento City Code is hereby deleted.
SECTION 4. Severability.
If any portion of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining portions of this ordinance shall remain in effect. The people of the City of Sacramento hereby declare that they would have adopted each portion of this ordinance, notwithstanding the fact that any one or more portions of this ordinance is declared invalid or unenforceable and, to that end, the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
SECTION 5. Voter Approval; Effective Date.
This ordinance is effective only if approved by two-thirds of the voters voting on this ordinance, and if so approved goes into effect on July 1, 2025.