“Collectively we own, operate, and maintain more than 20 municipal facilities, including buildings ranging in age from 70 to 110 years old. There are over 75 miles of streets and sidewalks, more than 450 storm sewer inlets connected to miles of underground pipe, and five large public parks. The costs to keep these facilities up and running comes to millions of dollars in ongoing maintenance, necessary improvements, and replacement costs.

“Measure GG will not solve everything. It is simply a fair, practical way to try and generate additional revenue to pay for the upkeep of our aging infrastructure. All revenue from Measure GG will stay here in Piedmont. Our city has not raised its transfer tax rate in 33 years, while neighboring cities have updated theirs. We are falling behind, and Measure GG will help us catch up.”

-Jen Cavenaugh, Former Mayor of Piedmont

“As a resident of Piedmont for almost 30 years, and having served as the City’s Finance Director for over seven years, I am very familiar with the City’s finances.

“I support Measure GG which raises the Real Estate Transfer Tax from 1.3% to 1.75%. …

“I feel the increase in the tax is necessary to keep pace with rising costs that have affected all aspects of the City’s operations -from public safety to maintenance of parks and streets.

“Lastly, the 1.75% rate is more in line with our neighboring cities, Oakland and Berkeley, which have rates as high as 2.5%.”

-Mike Szczech, former City Finance Director