Californians vote in local races, measures other than Prop. 50

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(The Center Square) - Some California voters had something besides Proposition 50 on their minds.

Seventeen counties, less than a third of the state, had items on their ballots Tuesday in addition to the congressional redistricting measure.

Here are some highlights, based on available numbers.

In Los Angeles County, Measure L passed in Santa Fe Springs with 61.48% of the vote. The measure increased the city’s sales tax by one-quarter of a cent to help the city’s long-term financial stability and maintain services such as fire, paramedics, police, hazardous material spill response, prevention of property crimes, library/senior services, afterschool programs and safety for public areas and parks. The measure is expected to raise $4 million annually.

In Marin County, Fairfax Mayor Lisel Blash and Vice Mayor Stephanie Hellman survived recall efforts in the early returns, with more than 50% of the vote in their favor. Supporters of the recall accused the officials of mismanaging money and ignoring infrastructure repairs in the small town, according to KQED. Recall supporters were also upset by the officials' perceived support of a six-story apartment complex near the town's center.

And voters approved measures that keep Sausalito in compliance with State Housing Element Law, which means the San Francisco Bay Area city can avoid potential fines, litigation and loss of local control of zoning decisions, according to the city. Voters also approved a measure in the Petaluma Joint Union High School District that keeps locally controlled funding for local junior high and high schools that the state can’t take away. The money is meant to attract and retain excellent teachers, prepare students for college and careers, maintain smaller class sizes and enhance math, science, engineering, technology and writing programs, according to Marin County.

Elsewhere, Alameda County passed Measure B, affecting Washington Township Healthcare District, with 64.77% of the vote. The measure is designed to raise $13 million annually for 12 years for emergency health care, hospital and trauma center services. To pay for it, there will be a levy of 5 cents per square foot of improved property, according to an county fact sheet.

In Nevada County, a measure for a $25 million bond to help fund construction of the Truckee library passed with 69.02% of the vote.

In El Dorado County, voters elected Gary Kinghorn as El Dorado Hills Community Services District director with 61.53% of the vote. Opponent Wayne A. Lowery got 38.47%. Something else on the ballot, Measure B - Fernwood-Cothrin Ranch Road Zone of Benefit - got 56.39% approval, but the county elections office says the proposal needs a two-thirds vote to pass. The measure would tax each parcel $450 for road improvements and maintenance.

Fresno County saw Zacarias Flores emerge as the winner with 35.87% of the vote for a Del Rey Community Services District board seat. Joey Lopez placed second with 32.61%, followed by Jennifer P. Lopez with 31.52%.

In Kings County, Luis Montoy defeated Lupe Chavez for a seat on the Reef-Sunset Unified School District Governing Board. Montoy had 58.6% of the vote; Chavez, 36.31%.