Category Archives: Benicia Mayor Steve Young

Mayor Steve Young: The Facts on Benicia’s Measures G & H

Click the image to be redirected to the Reelect Steve Young campaign website.

By Mayor Steve Young, originally published in the Benicia Herald on October 6, 2024

Over the past four years of serving as your Mayor, I’ve been immensely proud of our Council’s achievements.  We’ve made tough decisions, some of them unpopular.

However, these decisions have significantly streamlined and improved our City’s processes, finances, and safety services.

As we continue to build on the progress we’ve made, it’s crucial to address our City’s ongoing needs to ensure a thriving future for Benicia. We have proposed Measures G and H for your consideration, which are designed to enhance  Benicia’s future financial stability and infrastructure.

Together, these measures will empower Benicia to better manage its resources and address the critical needs of our community. By supporting Measures G and H, we can continue to build a stronger, more resilient Benicia for all residents.

However, I’ve become aware that there’s significant misinformation circulating about these measures. Given that, I would like to dispel some of the misleading, falsehoods and rumors surrounding them.

First, the Sept. 22 op-ed by the Committee against G and H included the following statement:

“Measure G will give City Hall the green light to increase permit fees, license taxes, parking fees, usage fees and special assessments beyond the caps.”

This is misleading:

As a General Law City we already have the power and the authority to raise fees such as parking and building permits without a vote of the people.  Switching to a Charter City would not affect this in any way.   Raising Water rates and fees for Lighting and Landscaping Districts requires a vote by ratepayers through a voting process governed by proposition 218. Our proposed Charter City Measure does nothing to change this.

Other concerns I have heard include:

 “Measure H will rob my kids of their inheritance if I pass my house on to them.”

False: The tax only applies if the property is sold.  There is not tax if the property is transferred to family members through inheritance or divorce.

“Measure H will raise taxes for renters.”

False: If an owner of a rental complex sells a property, it is possible the new owner may raise rents. But a current or future owner can already do so within the limits of California law, and it would not be due to this proposed, minimal increase to one-time closing costs.

“If the measures pass, the money will just go into the black hole of the General Fund where it will be spent on salaries for city workers who are backing the measures.”

False: Earlier this year, this City Council passed a policy stating that any surplus funds (including any from Measure H) would be placed into the capital reserve fund. To spend any funds from the capital reserve now requires a super-majority 4/5 vote.

The larger impact of Measure H is being missed. 

While residential sales only average 250-300 houses per year (and are on track to be less than 200 this year), we need to look into the future.

The Seeno property (Northern Gateway) will likely be developed in the next few years. That proposal calls for the construction of 1,100 homes. If sold at the current average Benicia single family sales price of $880,000, these transfers could generate nearly $4 million for Benicia —if tax Measures G and H were approved.

Importantly, the tax would be paid by either the developer or the home buyers, not Benicians.

There is also the possibility that Valero may, at some point, decide to sell the refinery. At its current value of around $2 billion, a sale would generate $16 million for Benicia…paid either by Valero or another oil company, not Benicians.

Additionally, the number of commercial properties listed for sale in Benicia represents another potential revenue source.

For example, the Economic Development Board reported this month that there are 18 active commercial properties in Benicia that are listed for sale which total over $30 million– taxes on those sales would be taxes paid by the commercial buyer– if tax measures G and H were approved.

At $4/6/8 dollars per $1,000 (depending on purchase price), there’s a significant amount of money that would be left on the table that Measures G and H would provide.

All the above represents real money for our future which would dwarf the amount paid by Benicians on the sale of their homes.

I understand that people don’t like paying taxes. I don’t like paying taxes either. But the City has, over the course of months and years of careful planning under City staff and our leadership, developed a comprehensive plan to address our looming infrastructure challenges. A crucial part of the plan rests on the passage of these tax Measures.

Voting against the passage of these Measures is a vote to do nothing.

It is a vote to kick the can down the road yet again, and not face our future with open eyes.

It is a vote to watch as our roads and other facilities continue to fall further into disrepair.

It is a vote for a future of higher costs and diminished quality of life for Benicia.

Please join me and the rest of City Council, labor and citizens groups and vote for Measures F, G and H.

Let’s stop kicking the can down the road.  Let’s work together to make hard decisions today that will provide for a stronger, vibrant, more fiscally sound Benicia tomorrow.

Steve Young
Mayor, City of Benicia
ReelectYoungForBenicia.com

Solano County Orderly Growth Committee and Sierra Club Endorse Young, Gilpin-Hayes, and Other Local Candidates

Solano County Orderly Growth Committee and Sierra Club Endorse Local Candidates

Steve Young, Incumbent Mayoral Candidate
Christina Gilpin-Hayes, Benicia City Council Candidate

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Marilyn Farley and and Princess Washington for the Solano County Orderly Growth Committee and Solano Group of the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club, on October 2, 2024

The Solano County Orderly Growth Committee (SCOGC) and the Solano Group of the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club recently completed a joint endorsement process and are now recommending candidates for Mayor and Council positions in Solano’s Cities.

For Mayor, we endorse Steve Young, running for re-election as Mayor of Benicia and Steve Bird, running for re-election as Mayor of Dixon. We also endorse for Edwin Okamura, a sitting council member, for Mayor of Rio Vista, and Andrea Sorce, a newcomer to electoral politics, for Mayor of Vallejo.

For City Council, we endorse: Christina Gilpin-Hayes, Benicia; Mike Silva, a Vacaville incumbent from District 3; and Vallejo candidates incumbent Christina Arriola (District 6), Alexander Matias (District 1), and Tonia Lediju (District 3, no opposition).

Since 1984, SCOGC has advocated for protecting our farmlands and open spaces in Solano County. Sierra Club is one of the pre-eminent environmental groups in America and has many Solano members. Both were leaders in the fight against the California Forever aka East Solano Plan.

We support candidates who we believe will act positively to protect the environment and best represent their constituents.

Benicia Mayor Steve Young brings strong environmental credentials to his re-election bid. As a planning commissioner, he led the review of Valero’s Crude by Rail project. He opposed the California Forever project citing the deceptive tactics used and their reliance on groundwater. He supports growth in our cities, not on farmland and open space. He will continue his efforts to improve air quality in Benicia. He supports passage of Measures F, G and H to ensure Benicia’s financial well-being.

In terms of environmental issues, Dixon Mayor Steve Bird told us he will protect Dixon’s water and open space. He said he believes in keeping northeastern Solano County from blending into neighboring cities by protecting agriculture and farmland. He also supports more parks and outdoor recreation spaces within his community and region.

Rio Vista Mayor candidate Edwin Okamura became Vice Mayor earlier this year and serves on the Solano Land Trust Climate Committee. Regarding California Forever, he told us, “A new city in unincorporated areas would be economically devastating to surrounding cities and would have significant environmental impacts.”

Vallejo Mayor candidate Andrea Sorce will bring new insights and energy to Vallejo. While her key campaign issues are fiscal responsibility, public safety, economic development, housing justice and open government, we believe she will approach them through an environmental lens. For example, she opposes California Forever and told us she has a strong preference to see investment and development in our existing cities.

Benicia Council candidate Christina Gilpin-Hayes has an impressive resume, endorsements, and record of community service to bring to her campaign. It addresses Benicia’s budget crisis, growth that preserves Benicia’s character, support for local businesses and encouraging transparency and community involvement. We liked her overall philosophy and approach to avoiding sprawl and her support for Benicia’s Industrial Safety Ordinance.

Vacaville incumbent Councilmember Mike Silva deserves our continued support. His Council votes have supported clean energy, water conservation, and infill development. He told us, “I plan to provide the leadership to ensure we continue to focus on sustainable growth.” We also applaud is untiring advocacy for his low-income neighborhood and a new neighborhood park.

In Vallejo, likewise, incumbent Tina (Christinia) Arriola has done a yeowoman job of representing her low-income district 6. She opposes proposed tolls on highway 37, the commute for many of her low-income constituents. She also wants a long-term solution to the Mare Island Preserve and opposes “…dictates from the Mare Island Co. which hasn’t provided any good faith efforts to show their commitment to open space, recreation and local participation.”

Vallejo district 1 candidate Alex Matias has a long record of community service as the Chair of the Vallejo Economic Vitality Commission and is on the board of Fresh Air Vallejo. We liked his advocacy on issues important to Vallejoans, including the hiring of police officers and public safety, solving homelessness, creating jobs, and supporting transparent and inclusive government.

Last, but not least, we endorse powerhouse Tonia Lediju for district 3. A 15-year Vallejo resident, she was the City of San Francisco’s chief auditor and brought in by Mayor London Breed to clean up a failing housing authority. For the past five years, she has been the Chief Executive Officer of the S.F. Housing Authority. As a council member, she plans to focus on safety issues for Vallejoans, affordable, equitable and inclusive housing, a bustling downtown, and economic opportunity for residents. We were impressed by her commitment to sustainable development and her support for city-centered growth. Like many other endorsed candidates, she opposes the California Forever project.

Princess Washington, Chair, Solano Group, Sierra Club, Suisun City
Marilyn Farley, Political Director, SCOGC, Fairfield

Images and emphasis added by BenIndy.

Mayor Steve Young: Why I am Supporting Measures F, G, and H

Click the image to visit www.reelectyoungforbenicia.com.

From the Campaign to Re-Elect Mayor Steve Young, received September 5, 2024

Benicia Mayor Steve Young

First let me say I am actively running for reelection as the Mayor of Benicia. 

I firmly believe that an effective Mayor’s role is to inform and educate the community, guiding us towards a shared vision of the future.

The three Measures on the November’s ballot are crucial for our progress and future. Because they are so important, I am dedicating my reelection campaign to advocating for their passage.

It’s important to note that the Solano County Association of Realtors, all of Public Safety Unions , (Police, Fire and Dispatch), the Napa-Solano Labor Council and the Solano County Democratic Central Committee have all endorsed passage of each of the three measures.  

The City of Benicia faces complex financial challenges. Our primary revenue sources are property taxes (from which we receive only 26 cents per dollar) and sales tax.

Unfortunately, sales tax revenue has remained flat due to our limited retail base. While property values have surged, property tax revenue hasn’t kept pace because new assessments only occur upon sales.

With minimal new construction and limited home sales (likely because residents enjoy living here), property tax growth has been constrained.

A significant factor in our slow property tax revenue growth is that 42% % of Benicia properties haven’t changed hands since the 1990’s. These homes are taxed based on 1978-1990’s property tax values.

Consequently, these properties pay much lower taxes compared to neighbors who bought more recently.

This situation forces the City to cover 2024 expenses with much of our revenue based on property tax assessments prior to 2000—which is unsustainable.

Measure F

This measure, brought to the ballot by a Citizen’s initiative with 2,000 signatures, proposes a 1/2 cent sales tax increase dedicated SOLELY to road repairs. It is expected to generate $4-4.5 million annually. Combined with gas tax and some General Fund money, this will enable the City to repair all streets over a 15-year period.

Measures G and H

 These measures are interconnected. Measure G would convert Benicia to a “limited” charter city, allowing us to impose real estate transfer taxes. This change is restricted by the language in Measure G to only affect Real Property Transfers—nothing else- and can only be modified by the voters.

Measure H

This measure proposes a Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) of 0.4% (or $4 per $1,000) for sales under $2 million.

Sales over $2 million would be taxed at 0.6%, and properties over $10 million at 0.8%. This tax applies only to real estate sales, not affecting renters or those passing properties to heirs, even if the heirs rent them out.

Both measures G and H must pass for the RPTT to be implemented.

Let’s look at an example of how this would affect the average home sale in Benicia: the RPTT  on a $850,000 home would be $3,400.

For many long-time Benicia homeowners, this amount would be a very small percentage of the accumulated increase in equity. And that equity increased, in large part, to the improvements the City (and its taxpayers) have made over the decades.

In conclusion, this additional funding from Measure F would solely support fixing our deteriorating roads.  Measure G and H will be used to repair many old and deteriorating City facilities including City Hall, the Police Department, the Clocktower, the SP Depot, the Marina, the Senior Center, the pool, the library, the gym, and the Camel Barns.

We cannot achieve fiscal sustainability through staff cuts alone. Slashing the city payroll would necessitate closing many programs that Benicians have repeatedly expressed they want, expect, and deserve.

I am calling on my fellow Benicians to continue the progress the City has made to get its financial house in order  and agree that we  need to look at new revenue sources that will help Benicia continue towards a solid fiscal future.

Please join me, the Benicia City Council and many community groups and vote yes on Measures F, G and H in November.

Steve Young
Mayor, City of Benicia

Mon. at 7pm: Free, Open Candidate Forum for Democratic Benicia City Council Candidates

From the Progressive Democrats of Benicia

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia (PDB) will host a candidate forum on Monday, August 26, at 7pm via Zoom (sign-in details are below and on our website).  This virtual event, which is free and open to all regardless of city of residence or political party, will feature interviews with four Democratic candidates vying for local office.

This is YOUR opportunity to engage with local Democratic candidates and gain insights into their positions on key issues affecting Benicia.  We ask that you share this notice to your family, friends and network so you can all hear directly from the candidates as you make up your minds for the November ballot.  Everyone is welcome. No registration is required.

Zoom Details

The link and sign-in information for most PDB membership meetings in 2024 is below. 

Topic: PDB General Meeting
Time: August 26, 2024 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86273821941?pwd=WktDazJLaTJHVTBPNWd3dzlXaGd2Zz09

Meeting ID: 862 7382 1941
Passcode: 528756

One tap mobile
+16699006833,,86273821941#,,,,*528756# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,86273821941#,,,,*528756# US

We look forward to seeing you Monday, August 26 at 7:00 pm via Zoom!

Get to Know the Candidates!

The Democratic candidates for Benicia City Council (in alphabetical order) are Christina Gilpin-Hayes, Trevor Macenski (Incumbent), and Franz Rosenthal (website coming soon to franzforbenicia.com).

Benicia’s incumbent Mayor Steve Young), who is seeking reelection, will also be requesting PDB’s endorsement.

The forum will include a series of prepared questions for the candidates, followed by an opportunity for attendees to participate in a Q&A session.  Learn more about the candidates before the forum by clicking their names or images to visit their websites.  PDB is a chartered Democratic club and may only endorse Democratic candidates, per our by-laws.

Why Endorse?

Democratic club endorsements like these matter in local elections because they provide the candidates and causes we believe in most with crucial grassroots support. Clubs like PDB often promote their endorsed candidates and help them build name recognition, connect to important volunteer and professional networks, and access Party resources that can elevate campaigns to the next level. Additionally, voters often use club endorsements to help them select candidates. An endorsement from a PDB is a strategic asset for any Democratic candidate–led campaign, even if the candidate doesn’t identify as progressive. Ours is a big tent – all registered Democrats are invited and welcome to seek endorsement from the club.