Humboldt Creative Alliance Implores BOS to Implement Measure J Funds as Intended
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An Open Letter to the Board of Supervisors:
On the Board’s agenda, there are several items related to the budget, and the Board of Supervisors will face difficult questions about how to make responsible decisions concerning the County’s finances. One of the items on the agenda is how to implement Measure J, the Transient Occupancy Tax increase that was approved by the voting public in Spring 2022.
The arts and culture sector, through the collaborative efforts of the Humboldt Creative Alliance, has been engaging with this effort for many years, and funding for the arts and culture sector was one of the central points of Measure J. We are asking the Board of Supervisors to remain true to the spirit of the Measure. Members of the Humboldt Creative Alliance encourage the Board of Supervisors to consider the impact of their decisions [today], as stewards of public trust and of community wellbeing.
Humboldt County is one of the few counties in California without designated funding for the arts. The arts industry supports jobs, fosters connection and understanding amongst people with different perspectives, is a missing link in supporting at-risk youth, reduces crime, brings people out into their communities, beautifies the public space, draws tourists to our area for our festivals and celebrations, and drives a creativity-based local economy. Additionally, funding arts and culture bolsters the tourist economy, thus increasing the TOT funds that come into the County and growing the money collected through the tax measure. Funding for the arts and culture sector is often the first funding cut in times of financial uncertainty, yet arts and culture programming offers highly impactful opportunities for diverse people and cultures to thrive throughout the community.
The arts and culture sector is eager to implement robust programming that will nourish under-resourced communities through direct engagement while creating workforce opportunities throughout Humboldt County. We look forward to beginning a meaningful partnership with County leadership tomorrow.
Sincerely, The Humboldt Creative Alliance–The Humboldt Creative Alliance is a collective of Humboldt County artists and arts administrators, formed with the intent of promoting visibility of the arts and their impact in Humboldt County.–
An Open Letter to the Board of Supervisors:
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
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Does anyone remember what the Transient Occupancy Tax was for? I thought not.
“Parties in favor of Measure J pointed to how it would increase the funding available for general services in Humboldt County, such as 911 emergency response, rural fire and ambulance service, county road repairs, children’s mental health and emergency communications, among others.”
https://www.times-standard.com/2022/06/09/election-2022-measures-j-and-k-see-majority-support/#:~:text=Measure%20J%20proposes%20amending%20the%20definition%20of%20the,to%2012%25%20in%20unincorporated%20areas%20of%20Humboldt%20County.
Tax measures are peculiar creatures. Simply passing one, even to supply a specific cause, means that money does not have to be allocated out of general funds as it was in the past. And this measure did not even do that. It allocated it to go to general funds. Even If It had been separated, that allows that specific item to be taken off the general budget and the savings redistributed to other things.
Not exactly. There are two types of sales tax measures that can be implemented at the ballot box. A General tax only takes 50% of the vote + 1 to pass l; goes into the general fund; and can be spent for any general governmental purpose. A Special tax takes a 2/3rds vote and can only legally be spent as described in the ballot measure. General taxes are often accompanied by a non-binding “advisory measure” that supposably allows the voters to tell the Board of Supervisors how the public would like to see the money spent. But once that pot of money is there it’s not unusual for the Supervisors and administrators to quietly start diverting it for other purposes.
No one needs another badly painted utility box.
Right. Thats why all the Artists painted such lovely designs and images on our previously Ugly drab utility boxes!
Yay!
Yes! We MUST invest in our local artists, the depths, beauty and joy that they bring to our community!
See below for evidence of what Humboldt has. Maybe what we take for granted:
“It’s renowned, of course, for the neck-craning height of its trees and the medicinal potency of its leading cash crop. But Humboldt County has a more interesting, if less heralded, distinction: arts capital.”
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Vibrant-arts-scene-thrives-behind-the-redwood-2571492.php