A stronger Piedmont starts with protecting what makes our community special

I am writing in support of Measure GG, which will appear on the November 3 ballot.

Piedmont is a remarkable community because of the things we have built and maintained together—excellent public safety, responsive police and fire services, beautiful parks, well-maintained streets and sidewalks, and the many community services that contribute to the quality of life we value so highly.

Measure GG provides an important source of funding to help preserve those services for the future. The measure would increase Piedmont’s one-time real property transfer tax from 1.3% to 1.75% and is expected to generate approximately $1.5 million annually in additional general tax revenue.

What I particularly appreciate about this approach is that it is a onetime tax paid when a property changes hands, rather than an annual tax on every Piedmont homeowner. The cost of the transfer tax can also be negotiated as part of a real estate transaction.

For those of us who live in Piedmont, the value of our community is not simply the homes we own. It is the security of knowing that our police and firefighters are there when we need them. It is the quality of our parks, roads, sidewalks and public spaces. It is the investment we make in maintaining the infrastructure and services that make Piedmont such a special place to live.

The City has identified significant ongoing needs, including aging buildings, infrastructure, parks, stormwater systems, roads and sidewalks, in addition to essential public safety and emergency services.

I believe maintaining these services is an investment in the community we all care about. Measure GG provides an opportunity to help ensure that Piedmont continues to be the safe, beautiful and exceptionally well-served community we know and love.

I encourage my fellow Piedmonters to vote YES on Measure GG this November.

Sincerely,

– Teresa Baum, Realtor