Most people promoting Measure G may not be aware of these details, but voters should understand them before making a decision.
Back in 2000, when Measure S was introduced in South Lake Tahoe, it was presented as a temporary measure that would sunset after the planned projects were completed within a thirty-year timeframe. That was the original pitch. In reality, these types of taxes rarely disappear — they often just get rolled into the next version or extended under a new measure, like Measure G..
Measure S began as an $18.00 per single-family parcel tax. At first, I did not think much about it — until it started appearing on my non-residential property tax bills.
From my own review and sample size, there appears to be a 4x to 20x multiplier applied to commercial and multi-family properties. Apartment properties are charged approximately $14.40 per unit, which is roughly 80% of what an entire single-family parcel pays. Apartments are one of the main sources of affordable housing and often provide the transition point toward homeownership, so these added costs deserve consideration.
In many cases, these costs are ultimately passed on to renters and end users, affecting housing affordability over time.
If Measure G gets approved, this same structure would remain in place along with the 2% annual inflator. Over thirty years, an $18 assessment compounded annually at 2% grows to approximately $32.60, with about $14.60 of that increase coming from the inflator alone.
Perhaps Measure G should be sent back for a clearer, more balanced explanation so the community fully understands what is being proposed and how it affects different property types over time.
Regards,
Mike Phillips, 54-year resident