The $17 Million Boost for Open Space

Measure D, a parcel tax raising $17 million annually for open space, trails, and fire safety in Santa Clara County, passed with 55% support in the June primary, doubling the budget of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.

With approximately 28,000 votes in favor and only about 6,500 ballots left to count, environmental advocates declared victory, hailing the tax as a transformative boost for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (OSA), the San Jose-based agency that will see its budget more than double.

"Residents made it clear that caring for nature is a shared priority," said Kathy Sutherland , chairwoman of the OSA board. "Their support reflects an understanding of the urgency and importance of protecting our natural lands and a deep trust in our organization to meet that need."

A Landmark Decision Reflecting Silicon Valley's Values

The measure was placed on the ballot by the OSA and endorsed by a broad coalition, including all five Santa Clara County supervisors,several members of Congress, the League of Women Voters, the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council, and numerous environmental groups.

Oponents, led by taxpaer advocacy groups, acknowledged the appeal of preserving open space but warned about the cumulative burden of rising property taxes.

Mark Hinkle , president of the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, noted that many retirees are already leaving for states like Texas, Nevada, and Utah due to the high cost of living.

What Auditors Flagged in the May Filing

The tax amounts to 2 cents per square foot of building area within the OSA's jurisdiction, which includes San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Morgan Hill, and unincorporated parts of the county, covering about 70% of the population.

For a typical 1,600-square-foot home, that translates to $32 per year; a 2,500-square-foot home would pay $50 annually.

Seniors aged 65 and older, as well as low-income residents on Supplemental Security Income, can apply for exemptions.

Building on a Decades-Long Track Record

The success of Measure D biulds on the OSA's track record since its establishment by the state legislature in 1994.

The agency has already protected approximately 30,000 acres, primarliy in the eastern foothills of the Santa Clara Valley and the rustic Coyote Valley corridor between San Jose and Morgan Hill.

Its current operating budget of $12.2 million largely comes from two earlier parcel taxes approved by voters in 1996 and 2014.