ATTENTION! Fall Election Beach Money Grab Synopsis!
The city councils and school districts in the South Bay Beach Cities seem unable to live within their budgets. They constantly put new bond measures on the ballot without much accountability for the money we, as taxpayers, have provided. The Libertarian Party of LA County urges you to investigate all of these.
BEACH CITIES (MB, HB, RB) HEALTH DISTRICT ($15M Budget): $30M general obligation bond measure for Youth Mental Health, demolition of an old hospital, and 2 acres of open space. The previous effort to build a 217-unit, 6-story senior living complex has been mired in overdue extensions management issues and has become a financial mess. Five years of planning, huge controversy, and not much community support have resulted in this Bond being put forth to foot the bill on this project. Not low-cost housing. This is a legacy organization from the days when the Beach Cities had a hospital – but that was closed years ago. Today, this District has become a real estate baron, owning retirement communities and commercial buildings to fund its activities throughout the South Bay. The District is financially insolvent. This Health District, which is operating outside of its original scope, should go away altogether, and the BCHD parcel tax should be rescinded.
HERMOSA BEACH SHENANIGANS
SALES TAX. Measure HB: Public Safety/City Services Bond Vote: Increases sales tax by 0.75% from 9.5 to 10.25%. The proponents' arguments that we “need to get it now” in case the LA County homeless measure passes need the $3M for 911/emergency, streets/sidewalks, parks/beaches are all based on false premises. The State of California passed a Bill allowing the homeless sales tax caps to bypass the State sales cap tax. The proponents argue that we are falling behind taxing in Santa Monica, and Torrance is the usual “race to the top rate.” The argument that MB and RB are also increasing from 9.5% is not true, as Redondo Beach is not increasing its sales tax.
BOND. Measure HV—Hermosa Valley School—We just passed a $59M bond measure in 2016 that we will pay over 30 years. Now, they want another $28.7M to renovate the same schools—again.
REDONDO BEACH SHENANIGANS
2 Ballot Measures
BOND. Measures FP: Public Safety: $93M for repairing/replacing/upgrading deteriorated fire/police stations/facilities. Earlier estimates were $84M to $160M and $200M. This Bond seems to be a wolf in sheep's clothing. There are no plans for anything, not even a contractor quote. All financial numbers are based upon some contractor doing a walking survey and the city having a wish list, especially for the Police Department. All that can be seen are pictures of old buildings that lack proper maintenance. If they can’t maintain what they have, why should the voters support a pile of cash for a bunch of politicians’ spending sprees? No plans, no designs, leads to false promises.BOND: Measure S: Redondo Beach Unified School District: $278M. Repairing/replacing leaky roofs, deteriorating plumbing/sewer systems, outdated heating/cooling systems, portable classrooms, upgrading classrooms/learning technology, and making student safety/school security improvements.
Residents are still paying for Measure E (until 2034) and Measure C & Q (until 2040). The school board created a massive wish list that includes everything from iPads to infrastructure. What's worse is that once the School Board found out about a $10 Billion State reimbursement Bond, by which the district is eligible for up to $115 Million, they cut nothing. Once again, it is a pile of cash for massive projects the politicians can say they are a part of. Nothing is critical; everything is a wish list.
Good source of info: City Councilman Nils Nehrenheim, who is running for Mayor in the March 2025 election in Redondo
MANHATTAN BEACH SHENANIGANS
3 Ballot measures: Measure RLS: $200M Schools Improvement, Measure MMB - Sales Tax Increase to 10.25% (like HB), Measure BC: $30M Beach Cities Health District. Have already passed numerous previous school bond measures with lots of controversy about $ not being spent on what was promised.
But Wait! There’s More! Pay Attention To This One In Particular:
CRITICAL CA BOND VOTE RULES CHANGE.
State ACA-1 Ballot Measure reduces the threshold for future bond issues from 66 2/3% to 55% - INCLUDING THIS NOVEMBER ELECTION!
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