Sonoma yes on UGB, sales tax and pot tax; no on dispensary expansion

Sonoma voters made their opinions known at the polls this week, and the final results of the vote –released just before noon on Wednesday—showed that almost exactly two-thirds of Sonoma County voters, 66.73 percent or 200,584 residents, cast their ballots in what may be the largest voter turnout in decades.

Along with several county-wide measures, there were four City of Sonoma items on the ballot, and according to Mayor Logan Harvey, the voters stepped up to their responsibility. “I couldn’t be prouder of the town, and the way they voted last night,” he said Wednesday. He made it a point to celebrate the election of Jack Ding to the city council, who will join newly-re-elected Amy Harrington, Madolyn Agrimonti, Rachel Hundley and Harvey on the Sonoma City Council at its Dec. 7 meeting. Ding and Harrington ran unopposed for the two open seats on the council.

Measure V: Sales tax extension

Measure V was the city’s effort to make permanent – or until voters choose to change it – a half-cent sales tax, first passed in 2012 and since renewed for a second five-year term in 2017. Measure V was supported by voters, by a 71 to 29 percent margin.

Harvey said the vote “was a hugely important step for Sonoma’s future financial situation. It will ensure the stability of Sonoma for years to come and assure a high level of service.” Revenues from the tax fund general city services, including emergency preparedness, infrastructure, street maintenance, parks, open space, community services and public safety.

Measure W: UGB renewal

Measure W generated a great deal of debate for its effort to renew, with slight amendments, the Urban Growth Boundary, first passed in 2000, for another 20 years. But voters supported Measure W with over 80 percent in favor and just under 20 percent opposed.

“To be honest, the 80 percent result exceeded our expectations!” said Teri Shore of the Greenbelt Alliance. “Clearly, the people and voters of the city of Sonoma and beyond continue to strongly support protection of open space, preventing sprawl, and focusing on climate-smart city centered growth.”

Shore noted that the original Urban Growth Boundary passed by 64 percent. If Measure W had not passed, the UGB would have remained in place, but would have been subject to change by a majority vote of the City Council.

Measure X: Cannabis sales tax

Measure X is a city-sponsored ordinance establishing taxes on cannabis sales of up to 4 percent depending on the type of business—4 percent for retail dispensaries and cultivation facilities, for example. The city estimates the tax would bring in about $200,000 into the general fund from a single cannabis dispensary.

Voters approved the measure by a nearly 4-to-1 margin, with 79.33 percent in favor, and 20.3 percent opposed.

“The city is deeply appreciative of the voters’ strong support for Measure V,” said City Manager Cathy Capriola. “We have a very dedicated city team working to meet the needs of our community and this vote shows a high level of support for the services we provide.”

Measure Y: Cannabis local access initiative

Measure Y was the only item denied by the voters – and opposed by the City Council. It originated from a petition circulated in mid-2018 that garnered almost 800 signatures, enough to put on the ballot a measure to loosen requirements for establishing cannabis businesses inside city limits. But the City of Sonoma stalled certification of the petition, pushing it to the 2020 ballot.

In the intervening two years the city approved its own cannabis business licensing process – which would have been replaced by Measure Y, had it passed. It did not: The vote was 43 percent, or 2,229 votes in favor of Measure Y, and 57 percent, or 2,978 votes against.

“I was a little surprised at that (vote), as I’m sure the rest of the committee was – I think we expected to win,” said Bill Boerum, a member of the Sonoma Citizens for Local Access group, which campaigned for Measure Y.

Mayor Harvey applauded voters for rejecting the measure.

“Measure Y’s failure shows the citizens still trust the council to provide for a well-regulated and value-added cannabis dispensary,” said Harvey.

Email Christian at christian.kallen@sonomanews.com.