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AUG 2 2 2016 Argument Against Measure Z City of riverside Vote NO on Measure Z, the biggest tax increase in Riverside's history_. city clerk's offl . Measure Z costs taxpayers $1 BILLION DOLLARS over 20 years. It's not the tiny "one -cent" or penny increase described by the ballot. It's actually ONE PERCENT (1%), as the City Attorney's Analysis clarifies. The sales tax goes from 8 to 9 percent, raising at least $48 million annually. City Hall gets a huge revenue surplus to spend any way it wants. The City Council approved pay raises without sufficient funds, causing a deficit in the $267 million budget. Measure Z raises FIVE. times what is needed to balance the budget. Taxpayers deserve fiscal responsibility. Measure Z is UNFAIR: Riverside households have not recovered income lost in the recession. Savings accounts earn less than 1%; seniors' Social Security is not increasing. We'll pay $250 more in taxes to buy a $25,000 car. The tax burdens our children and grandchildren. Personnel costs make up almost three-quarters of the budget. City employees receive generous pay (with annual "step" increases), benefits, and pensions. City pensions average $71,811 (police and fire are at $108,173). Measure Z is UNNECESSARY: • City revenues are increasing rapidly, including those from the current Sales Tax and Property Tax. A 6Y2% Utility User's Tax is also on our electricity, water, natural gas, phones, and cable TV bills. Unlike other cities, Riverside has a big extra source of annual revenue: $45 million in "profit" from electric and water rates was transferred from our utility to City Hall this year. That's on top of Utility User's Tax revenues. Belt tightening is needed; not a tax increase. Don't be tricked by Measure Z backers' scare tactics and doomsday predictions. VOTE NO on Measure Z. For information call (951) 780-4749; look for NO on City of Riverside Measure Z on Facebook.