Proposition 10 - Snow & Heavy Machine Fleet Levy
Prop 10 – Snow and Heavy Machine Fleet Levy
This levy is for heavy equipment, including for front-line snow response. We rely
on about 100 pieces of heavy machinery to clear our streets and sidewalks and maintain access to groceries, jobs, fuel, hospitals, schools, and all other necessities. This levy allows for the sustainable replacement of about seven fleet vehicles a year, including graders, dump trucks, sanders, loaders, blowers, and trackless machines.
Why a levy and not a bond?
Levies give us a smaller, predictable amount of money each year that better matches the city’s fleet needs. Fleet purchases are recurring. Hundreds of vehicles support Municipal services, many of which are past their recommended lifespans. It’s most sustainable to replace a small share every year, especially since older vehicles rack up much more in maintenance and repair costs. Unlike bonds, levies don’t require debt, so taxpayers avoid interest payments. Bonds make sense for large capital assets like buildings or roads and drainage infrastructure — assets with long, long life spans that are one-time or much more irregular purchases.