Measure II: Measure II - City Of Union City - Union City Essential Services Extension Measure

In plain language

Measure II extends an existing tax in Union City. A YES vote would extend the city's utility users tax for 9 more years. The rate would stay at 5%, with no increase. The money funds services like 911 response, paramedics, and fire protection. It also funds street and pothole repair, police patrols, and crime prevention. It funds youth and senior programs too. It raises about $7,000,000 a year. Senior and low-income residents would keep their exemptions. The funds would be audited yearly and stay under local control. A NO vote would let the existing utility users tax expire.

Fiscal impact

The utility users tax would continue for 9 years. The rate stays at 5%, with no increase. It provides about $7,000,000 each year.

Impartial analysis

The City Council of the City of Union City is submitting to the voters the question of whether to approve an ordinance that would extend an existing five percent (5%) Utility Users Tax (“UUT”) on telecommunications (including landline telephone and cell phone services), video (regardless of the technology used or the content of programming), and electricity and gas services within the City. The UUT is based upon the amount charged by each service provider for the services used. If approved, Measure II would continue the existing UUT first approved by voters in 2020 for an additional nine (9) years until December 31, 2037, without a tax rate increase. Because Measure II does not limit the use of UUT revenue, it is a “general tax,” and the funds provided are available for any legitimate governmental purpose. As noted in the ballot question, examples of uses of revenue from the UUT include 911 emergency response and paramedic services, fire protection services, street and pothole repair, neighborhood police patrols, crime and gun violence prevention programs, youth and senior programs and other city services. Measure II would generate approximately $7 million in funds annually that are legally required to be used in Union City for local city services that cannot be taken by the State of California or Alameda County. Measure II would continue to provide approved applicants with an exemption from payment of the UUT for senior citizens who are seventy (70) years or older and low-income persons of any age, including those who are enrolled in the Pacific Gas & Electric Company CARE Program (“California Alternate Rates for Energy”). Measure II would continue the requirement for annual financial audits of UUT collections and expenditures to be performed by a qualified and independent third party. The results of the annual audits will be available to the public. A “Yes” vote is a vote to approve the extension of the voter-approved UUT for nine years at the current rate. A “No” vote is a vote to not extend the UUT and the UUT would no longer be levied after December 31, 2028. Measure II will be approved if it receives a simple majority of “Yes” votes of those voting on the Measure. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure II. If you desire a copy of the proposed ordinance, please call the City Clerk’s office at 510‑675‑5448 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you. DATED: July 27, 2026 /s/Kristopher J. Kokotaylo, City Attorney

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.