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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Dept. Heads Election Manual 1 LEADERSHIP TEAM MANUAL & INFORMATION GUIDE SLO November 2020 Municipal Election Thank you, as always for being at the ready to respond to community questions about timely issues in the City. This manual is designed to be of assistance should you or your team be asked questions about the upcoming November Municipal Election. As part of this morning’s session, you will receive the following resources, including: Approved Communications Materials, some of which are posted on our website: ▪ Informational PowerPoint Presentation ▪ Public FAQs ▪ “Quick Card” for public facing staff Additional Internal References such as: ▪ Approved Informational Messaging Platform ▪ How public-facing staff should quickly respond to inquiries ▪ “Sticky” Qs/As we should all be aware of ▪ “Quick Card” for public-facing staff 2 For City Staff This information should NOT be considered formal legal advice but a common-sense reference sheet. For additional information please confer with the City Attorney’s Office.  DO provide objective, information about voting and Measure G-20.  DO make informational presentations to community organizations and stakeholders about the City’s needs during any time of the day, using legally approved information, upon request and after conferring with Ryan Betz.  DO answer questions from residents and provide information, including providing an approved Quick Card or Frequently Asked Questions sheet.  DO refer constituents to the City website as needed, so they can read official City documents or other factual information at slocity.org/MeasureG-20.  IF participating in partisan activities do so only during non-working hours (when off-duty) using non-City equipment (personal phones/personal device/personal computer and personal email). NO public resources can fund or be used for any such activities or materials. - DON'T use City resources of any nature, such as a City office, City money, time while working in the City, City vehicles, City computers or email addresses, City phones, City faxes, supplies or copies, for partisan advocacy efforts. - DON’T wear City uniforms or name tags when engaging in partisan activities. Do NOT say that you are “representing” the City in a partisan position. - DON'T require or request that colleagues or staff working under you, participate in a partisan campaign during your City work time, or when representing the City. - DON'T urge passage or defeat of Measure G-20 or any candidate during work hours or at City expense. 3 Approved Measure G-20 Messaging Platform IMPORTANT: The Public FAQ, Informational PowerPoint, and Quick Card all contain approved information content. In general, if asked please avoid speaking about too many items, as this will be far too much information for the average person. Please focus specifically on the Messaging Platform plank that falls more within your policy expertise: (ACCOUNTABILITY) Measure G-20 includes strict accountability requirements so funds are used effectively and as promised, including an Independent Oversight Committee and annual independent financial audits, All money generated by Measure G-20 stays local and cannot be taken by Sacramento or Washington DC (MEDICAL RESPONSE TIMES) Measure G-20 would provide funding to ensure that our community has the firefighter-paramedics, infrastructure, equipment, training and communications technology to respond quickly and effectively in any type of emergency, while remaining prepared to prevent and respond to fire dangers in our community. (SALES TAX) In the last six years, nearly 70% of sales tax dollars collected in San Luis Obispo came from tourists and visitors from surrounding areas. Measure G-20 ensures they are paying their fair share to use community resources and infrastructure. Measure G-20 is not applied to prescription medication or food purchased as groceries. (ECONOMIC RECOVERY) The impacts of COVID-19 on the local economy, including loss of jobs and closure of businesses, may take years to recover from. Measure G-20 helps invest in the businesses in our city and our downtown area [by funding the marketing, mini-grant, and other support services they need as we go through this recession together. (HOMELESSNESS) Prior to the current crisis, SLO had already experienced a 26% increase in the number of persons experiencing homelessness in the last couple of years. As SLO looks towards recovering, Measure G-20 will allow the City to provide ongoing and new resources to residents and families who are homeless or on the verge of being homeless and at the same time, also ensure our public areas are clean, safe and secure for everyone. (VALUING OUTDOORS) Many San Luis Obispo residents live in our community because it provides a safe and small-town feel with open space, natural areas, parks, and outdoor recreational opportunities. COVID-19 reminds us how important these areas are to everyone. Measure G-20 will help ensure open space, natural areas and parks continue to be clean, well-maintained, and safe for everyone to enjoy. 4 General Fund Citations/Municipal Election FAQS The following General Fund priorities were identified in our SLO Forward Engagement program and can be referenced when speaking to the public. Measure G-20 Can Help Address the Following Community Priorities • Maintain fire, community safety, and emergency health response • Maintain disaster preparedness response • Protecting creeks from pollution • Retain local businesses • Preserve open space/natural areas • Help fund homeless prevention programs Fielding Quick Q: Where can I get more information about the Municipal Election or Measure G-20? A: For general election questions, please call the City Clerk at (805) 781-7100 or visit https://www.slocity.org/government/department-directory/city-clerk. For Measure G-20 information, visit slocity.org/MeasureG-20. Q: How dare you raise our taxes for police? A: Measure G-20 is not a police tax. For the official Measure G-20 ballot materials, please visit slocity.org/MeasureG-20. Q: What is the process for voting this year? • All active voters will be mailed a ballot approximately 29 days before Election Day. • Your ballot must be POSTMARKED on or before November 3rd, and RECEIVED by the Election Division of the County Registrar of Voters by November 20, 2020. • You can drop your ballot to any drop box in the County by 8:00 pm on Election Day. • To register to vote, please visit registertovote.ca.gov Q: Who is an “active voter?” or, I have not received, or misplaced my ballot. A: An “active voter” is anyone who has voted in the last four years. SLO County Voting Center and drop box locations can be found at https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Clerk-Recorder/All- Services/Elections-and-Voting/Elections-Conducted-by-County-of-San-Luis-Obispo/November-3,-2020- Presidential-General-Election.aspx or by calling 805-781-5000. Q: I am angry and want to speak to someone. A: We appreciate your call and am sorry you are upset. Let me take down your number and email address so a member of our staff can contact you directly. 5 Approved FAQs About Municipal Election Q: What is Measure G-20? A: On July 21st, the City Council unanimously placed Measure G-20--Community Services/Investment Measure --on the November Municipal Election ballot. The measure continues a locally enacted, locally controlled City revenue source. If enacted, Measure G-20 would raise approximately $21.6 million annually by extending our voter-approved sales tax at a new 1.5 cent rate, until ended by voters. Q: What priorities did SLO residents identify that could be supported by Measure G-20? A: As part of the year-long “SLO Forward” outreach and engagement effort, over 1,000 local residents identified priorities such as: ✓ Maintaining fire, community safety, emergency health and disaster preparedness response ✓ Protecting local creeks from pollution ✓ Preserving open space and natural areas ✓ Retaining local businesses ✓ Funding homeless prevention programs ✓ Keeping public areas clean/safe ✓ Maintaining youth/senior services ✓ Maintaining streets Q: I thought we had an existing local sales tax; how is this different and who pays for it? A: Voters approved the first local sales tax measure in 2006 at a .5 cent rate and it was renewed by the voters in 2014, which was known as the 2014 Measure G. The difference is that the 2020 Measure G replaces the 2014 Measure G with a Community Services Investment Measure at a new 1.5 cent rate. Historically, 70% of sales tax dollars collected in San Luis Obispo come from tourists and visitors. Measure G-20 ensures visitors continue to pay their fair share to use our community resources and infrastructure and is not applied to prescription medication or food purchased as groceries. Q: I am concerned about COVID-19 impacts and increasing fire dangers; could this funding be used to address those concerns? A: One in every two calls to SLO’s Fire Department is a response to medical emergencies or rescues. Measure G-20 would provide funding to ensure that our community has the firefighter-paramedics, infrastructure, equipment, training and communications technology to respond quickly and effectively in any type of emergency, while remaining prepared to prevent and respond to fire dangers in our community. It may take years to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 on the local economy, including loss of jobs and closure of businesses. State and federal funding to cities for recovery is uncertain and outside the City’s control. Measure G-20 provides locally controlled funding to invest in the businesses in our city and our downtown area through economic recovery programs that retain neighborhood-serving businesses. Q: How can I be certain that taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly? A: Measure G-20 includes strict accountability requirements, including an Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee, an annual independent financial audit, and a report on the use of the funds is sent to every household. All money generated by Measure G- 20 stays local and cannot be taken by Sacramento or Washington DC. Q: What else is on the November 3rd Municipal Election ballot? A: San Luis Obispo voters will also have the opportunity to select the Mayor and two city council member seats this November. To learn more about the candidates, please visit slocity.org/municipal-elections Q: Where can I get more information about Measure G-20? A: For more information on Measure G-20, visit slocity.org/MeasureG-20. Please check back often for more information about new balloting/vote center procedures in this historic State all-mail ballot. For additional frequently asked questions and answers, please visit slocity.org/MeasureG-20 6 “Sticky” Questions/Answers The below questions and answers are to be referenced as necessary in response to sticky questions only but are not the information points that we are emphasizing. The responses are intentionally short, by design. Q: Can we receive the same level of service without Measure G-20? A: No. Measure G-20 extends our voter approved local sales tax at the new 1.5 cent rate. If that previous base funding is not extended, service cuts are inevitable. Q: Now is not the time! How can you ask us for more money when so many are hurting? A: In the last six years, nearly 70% of sales tax dollars collected in San Luis Obispo came from tourists and visitors from surrounding areas. If enacted, Measure G-20 will help protect the financial stability of the City, its residents, and businesses as part of the recovery needs anticipated and discussed by the City Council and City staff since the breakout of the pandemic. Please let us know if you would like links to those policy discussions. Q: Sales taxes are regressive. A: This is the only mechanism available to the City right now where visitors to San Luis Obispo share in the cost. Measure G-20 is not applied to prescription medication or food purchased as groceries, nor is it a tax on someone’s home or property. Q: Won’t this just go to paying off pensions? A: No. SLO has been proactive in reducing and reforming pensions. Prior to the placement of Measure G-20 on the ballot, the City engaged over 1,000 residents in the SLO Forward program to determine community priorities, and the Measure includes Independent Citizens Oversight for transparency. Q: Isn’t all the money just going to police? A: No. Measure G-20 is not a special purpose police measure. It is a general-purpose measure to support a variety of vital services our community relies on. Q: How do we know there will not be a “bait and switch?” A: G-20 includes an Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee, an annual independent financial audit, and a report on the use of the funds is sent to every household. All money generated by Measure G- 20 stays local and cannot be taken by Sacramento or Washington DC. Q: Aren’t you advocating for yes on G-20 using taxpayer dollars? A: No. Because this is a historic all-mail ballot, the City has been working in conjunction with the County to ensure our residents are aware of how to vote, and all aspects of our local Municipal Election. Q: This is a forever tax! A: Voters can choose to end Measure G-20 at any time, which is the preference that was stated by the community during our SLO Forward process, where over 1,000 residents were engaged. Q: You are tripling our taxes at the worst possible time! Shame, shame, shame! A: The City does not have the power to increase taxes—only the people do. The overwhelming sentiment we received is that our residents want the opportunity to vote on this measure, and we will respect their decision either way.