Preserving Essential City Services

Measure WW for quality of life

Measure WW - Union City's Utility Users' Tax

Measure WW, a utility users' tax, was approved by voters in the November 3, 2020 general election. The results from the election were certified by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters and confirm that Measure WW passed with 56% of the vote. The measure is a General Tax, which required over 50% of voter approval to pass.

Union City Ordinance 881-20 was recently passed, and Utility Service Suppliers were notified on December 18, 2020 of the tax levy. The tax will be levied on telecommunication, video, electricity and gas, which include:

  • Telecommunications Users Tax = 5%
  • Video Users Tax = 5%
  • Electricity Users Tax = 5%
  • Gas Users Tax = 5%

Resources

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Seniors and low-income residents are eligible to receive an exemption from the tax.

Click here to sign up for updates on senior and low-income exemptions for the Utility Users' Tax.

Union City Residents – An online Exemption Form will be available in late January. Please check the website for updates regarding the Utility User Tax.

There are three ways to find out if you are eligible for exemption:

PG&E's CARE Program

Residential service users that participate in the PG&E California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) program, which is a monthly discount of 20% or more on gas and electricity, are eligible for an exemption from the proposed utility users’ tax. Participants qualify through income guidelines or if enrolled in certain public assistance programs, such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), CalFresh/SNAP (Food Stamps) and Medicaid/Medi-Cal. To apply, simply call a PG&E representative or go to PG&E’s website for more information.

Low Income Status as Determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development

Households with a household income of less than 50% of the area median family income for the County of Alameda, as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are eligible for an exemption from the proposed utility users’ tax. As determined by HUD for 2020, here are the gross income levels that may make you eligible for an exemption:

Persons in HouseholdAnnual Gross Income (below 50% of median area family income)
1$45,700
2$52,200
3$58,750
4$65,250
5$70,500
6$75,700
7$80,950
8$86,150

***These numbers are subject to chage.

Senior Exemption

Residential service users that are seventy years of age or older (if such service user resides alone or with a spouse or registered domestic partner and at least one spouse or partner is seventy years of age or older) are eligible for an exemption from the proposed utility users’ tax.  There is no income criteria for this exemption. 

About local funds from Measure WW

Measure WW would generate about $6.1 million in new revenue to the City and would help us to preserve essential services, such as:

  • Maintaining paramedic and fire protection services, 9-1-1 emergency response and emergency and disaster preparedness programs, including for a public health crisis
  • Ensuring senior citizens receive support and access to food during the COVID-19 crisis and during the recovery
  • Maintaining parks and streets
  • Preserving youth violence prevention and drug and gang intervention programs to keep kids off the street and maintain community safety

Election Information About Measure WW

Press Releases

Alignment with the City's Strategic Plan

Goal A: Foster fiscal health through disciplined long-term planning, cost control, heightened efficiency, increased revenue and cost recovery.