Information provided by Beth Carbone, 2024 President San Benito County Association of Realtors. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
The San Benito County Association of Realtors has joined local public safety officials, farmers and ranchers, labor unions, and business groups in opposing Measure A. If approved, Measure A would have long lasting negative effects on the local economy and the ability of San Benito County to provide much needed services to its residents.
Measure A would strip property owners of rights that they have held for generations and the local county government of its decision making authority. Under the misguided language of this ballot initiative property owners in the agricultural, rangeland, and rural designations would need to acquire voter approval in order to change their zoning designation. If approved, this would create a two path planning system where some owners utilize the standard general plan amendment process and others are forced to use expensive and divisive ballot box planning.
Also, included in the initiative is a provision that would remove commercial nodes located along highway 101 from the 2035 general plan. If approved, this provision would severely limit the potential for San Benito County to generate much needed sales tax revenue from the tens of thousands of travelers who make their way through the county each day.
In light of the seriousness of this topic, the San Benito County Association of Realtors has
decided to join with many of our neighbors in opposing Measure A. We hope that each county resident will look closely at the language of the ballot measure and consider the potential impacts to our local economy, individual’s property rights, and the ability of our county to provide the quality services that we all desire.
An independent fiscal analysis of the ballot measure predicts a potential loss in tax revenue to San Benito County of $750,000 annually with as much as $14.8 million in lost revenue annually.
As an underserved community, we cannot forgo this type of potential revenue, especially when it would be generated in part by our neighbors as they travel through the county. San Benito County has an opportunity to improve its road infrastructure through tax generation along Highway 101. Measure A, if approved, would severely limit this capability.
In 2022, a measure much like this was put on the ballot by many of the same groups behind Measure A. The people of San Benito County made the right decision then by voting no and defeating that measure. We ask that you do the same this election, and join us by voting down Measure A. Your no vote will go a long way in securing a more vital local economy, a more financially stable county government, and preserving the rights and opportunities of your friends and neighbors. Thank you and I hope you will join our Association in voting No on Measure A on November 5th.
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