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City manager says transfer tax would apply only on sales, not immediate reassessments
Summary
Residents expressed fear that approving a charter and transfer tax would trigger immediate reassessments; staff clarified the tax is charged only on transfers and listed common exemptions, and provided an explanation of how Measure H differs from Measure F.
Several residents asked the council whether adopting the charter (Measure G) and a transfer tax (Measure H) would immediately raise property taxes for long‑time homeowners.
One commenter said, “So one of the things that I've heard in the community is that everyone feels that if they pass the charter city, measure as well as the transfer tax measure is that their homes will be immediately reassessed.” City Manager Giuliani responded: “It is only assessed when property is sold or transferred.” He added that exemptions include mobile homes, gifts or transfers to children, parents or grandparents, mortgage refinances and many trust transfers.
Giuliani and the city attorney also clarified that Measure H is a general‑purpose tax (revenues would go to the general fund and could be allocated by council if voters approve it), while a companion specific‑purpose measure (Measure F) was written to be used for streets and related infrastructure. That distinction affects how and when the council can describe likely uses of revenue before an election.
