The City has been open—from the very first City Council meeting about the issue in November 2017—that the Real Property Transfer Tax would meaningfully increase revenue to support the community’s priorities for local services like disaster preparedness, police, fire, parks and open space, and senior services. Under current California law, only charter cities can collect a Real Property Transfer Tax.
In 2014, voters in the City of Emeryville similarly approved a limited charter that expanded their ability to raise revenue, including a RPTT. The proposed El Cerrito Charter leaves in place local law, other than to give the City more options for raising revenue and authorizing a RPTT. The City has explained this at every public meeting at which the proposed El Cerrito Charter and Measure V have been discussed. El Cerrito voters will decide whether they want additional revenue to meet their priorities for local services.