Local with Lisa: Measure GG

Lisa Chan Carnazzo: Hey, do you have time to talk about this? Measure GG. It's right here on the very back of your ballot. Measure GG would increase Piedmont's real estate transfer tax from 1.3% to 1.75%. So, $13 to $17.50 per $1,000 of the sales price. This one-time assessment is only collected when a property is sold, and is typically split between the buyer and seller.

Betsy Andersen, Mayor, City of Piedmont: For the average transaction, we're not talking about big dollars, but collectively it would make a big difference for the budget.

Susy Struble, School Board Member: It's a modest increase for a huge return, and our city has always stepped up for our schools, and I think it's time for our parents to continue to do the same for the city.

Lisa Chan Carnazzo: This would bring Piedmont's rate closer to neighboring cities. All revenue would go directly into Piedmont's general fund.

Betsy Andersen: We have a general fund that pays for everything. Police, fire, public works, parks, planning and building, all of it comes out of our general fund, and that is where the transfer tax goes. Having been on council for nine years, public safety is always priority number one.

Sarah Ironside, Piedmont Recreation Commission: If you have children who enjoy the parks here, or kids who play in any of the sporting facilities, then you definitely take advantage of all of the infrastructure here.

Lisa Chan Carnazzo: Piedmont faces rising costs to maintain city services, buildings, parks, streets. With little retail tax revenue, the city faces a growing funding gap.

Betsy Andersen: Our fire department is 100 years old, our recreation department is 100 years old, and our police department is not far behind, and these old buildings require a lot.

Roger Tsai, Piedmont Resident: We've come to really enjoy the services, activities, and infrastructure and programs offered to all its residents.

John Tulloch, Piedmont Recreation Commission: As a member of the community and someone who worked for the city for 17 years, I know the value of the transfer tax and the support it provides to all sorts of programs. It's a tax rate that hasn't been increased in 33 years, and everything costs more now.

Betsy Andersen: If it doesn't pass, we're just going to have to continue to defer maintenance, and we would hope that residents would understand and lower their expectations.