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Home My WebLink AboutSEL 802 Notice of Measure Election Notice of Measure Election SEL 802 rev 01/16 ORS 250.035, 250.041, city, 250.275, 250.285, 254.095, 254.465 Notice Date of Notice Name of City or Cities Date of Election City of Ashland November 8, 2016 Final Ballot Title The following is the final ballot title of the measure to be submitted to the city's voters. The ballot title notice has been published and the ballot title challenge process has been completed. Caption 10 words which reasonably identifies the subject of the measure. Approving a 3% Ashland sales tax on recreational marijuana Question 20 words which plainly phrases the chief purpose of the measure. Shall Ashland voters enact a Council-approved ordinance establishing a 3% tax on recreational marijuana sold by a licensed marijuana retailer? Summary 175 words which concisely and impartially summarizes the measure and its major effect. The Ashland City Council approved an ordinance establishing a tax of 3% on the sale of recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana-infused products by OLCC-licensed retail outlets within the city limits. Under state law, this ordinance does not become effective unless approved by the voters. The 3% tax rate is the maximum a city can assess under state law. The tax applies only to the sale of recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana-infused products in OLCC-licensed retail outlets. It does not apply to sales of medical marijuana in dispensaries licensed by the Oregon Health Authority. The local tax is over and above the 17% state tax that will be applied to sales of recreational marijuana effective October 1, 2016. Explanatory Statement 500 words that impartially explains the measure and its effect. If the county is producing a voters' pamphlet an explanatory statement must be drafted and attached to this form for: 4 any measure referred by the city governing body; or Explanatory Statement Attached? 0 Yes ❑ No 4 any initiative or referendum, if required by local ordinance. Authorized City Official Not required to be notarized. Name Title Barbara Christensen City Recorder Mailing Address Contact Phone 20 E Main Street Ashland OR 97520 541488 5307 By signing this document: 4 1 hereby state that I am authorized by the city to submit this Notice of Measure Election; and 4 1 certify that notice of receipt of ballot title has been published and the ballot title challenge process for this measure completed. Signature Date Signed EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FOR COUNTY VOTERS= PAMPHLET NAME.OF PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTENT: {have Lohman, City Attorney, City of Ashland, Oregon. NAME OF ORGANIZATION PERSON REPRESENTS, IF ANY: City of Ashland, Oregon BALLOT TITLE CAPTION: Approving a 3% Ashland sales tax on recreational marijuana MEASURE NUMBER: Passage of this ballot measure would enable an ordinance approved by the Ashland City Council imposing a 3% tax on the sale of recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana-infused products in OLCC-licensed outlets in the city to go into effect. Background The voters of the State of Oregon in November 2014 approved ballot measure 91 legalizing the possession, cultivation and sale of marijuana by adults aged 21 and older. The Oregon Legislature in 2015 approved House Bill 2041 imposing a state tax of 17% on recreational marijuana sales effective October 1, 2016 and giving Oregon cities the right to impose a sales tax of up to 3% on the sale of recreational marijuana and marijuana-infused products by OLCC-licensed retail outlets, if such tax is approved by the voters in a general election. Result of a "Yes" Vote This tax revenue, if approved, would go into the City's General Fund, which pays for services such as Police, Fire and Parks. These taxes would apply only to recreational marijuana and not to medical marijuana, which is sold in dispensaries licensed by the Oregon Health Authority. It is unknown how much money would be generated by a local marijuana tax, as the tax is dependent on the number of licensed retail outlets in Ashland, the price of the marijuana sold and the volume of sales. The City's 2015-17 biennial budget includes a placeholder figure of $1,000 for marijuana tax collections, with the money going to the City's General Fund. Result of a "No" Vote If this measure does not pass, Ashland would have no legal authority to impose a tax on the sale of recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana-infused products at OLCC-licensed retail outlets in the City at this time. The 17% state tax would continue to be imposed after October 1, 2016. WORD COUNT TOTAL: 299 THE TOTAL WORD COUNT CANNOT EXCEED 500 WORDS. .70 1 V SIGNATURE OF PERSO SPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT DATE NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION CITY OF ASHLAND JACKSON COUNTY, OREGON NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, a measure election will be held by the City of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon, and that such election shall be conducted by mail pursuant to Oregon law. The following shall be the ballot title of the measure to be submitted to the city's voters on this date: CAPTION: Approving a 3% Ashland sales tax on recreational marijuana QUESTION: Shall Ashland voters enact a Council-approved ordinance establishing a 3% tax on recreational marijuana sold by a licensed marijuana retailer? SUMMARY: The Ashland City council approved an ordinance establishing a tax of 3% on the sale of recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana-infused products by OLCC-licensed retail outlets within the city limits. Under state law, this ordinance does not become effective unless approved by the voters. The 3% tax rate is the maximum a city can assess under state law. The tax applies only to the sale of recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana-infused products in OLCC-licensed retail outlets. It does not apply to sales of medical marijuana in dispensaries licensed by the Oregon Health Authority. The local tax is over and above the 17% state tax that will be applied to sales of recreational marijuana effective October 1, 2016. The following authorized city official hereby certifies the above ballot title is true and complete, which ' des completion of the ballot title challenge process. Anature of authorized city official Date signed Barbara Christensen City Recorder Printed name of authorized city official Title