The Orinda Union School District parcel taxes provide for a low–income senior exemption. Each year, applications must be filed annually by June 14, 2013.

Instructions and applications can be downloaded from this website. However, to be placed on the mailing list, please call Rebecca Bertacchi at 925-258-6214 or send an email to rbertacchi@orinda.k12.ca.us            

Exemption Eligibility (2013-14): age 65 or older; and household income of less than approximately $46,750 (income level changes annually). 

Senior Exemption Instructions

As an additional accountability measure, the Board of Trustees will appoint or designate an independent oversight  advisory committee of citizens to ensure that the special tax proceeds are spent for their authorized purposes, and to report annually to the Board of Trustees and the public regarding the expenditure of such funds. 

Parcel Tax Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee Bylaws

Parcel Tax Resolution 03-07 Measure A

Parcel Tax Resolution 09-06 Measure B

The OUSD Parcel Tax Citizens’ Independent Oversight Committee was appointed by the OUSD Board of Trustees on December 11, 2011, to ensure the District parcel tax proceeds are spent for their authorized purpose and report annually to the OUSD Board at a public meeting.   The Committee consists of five citizens of Orinda with varied backgrounds in law, finance, business, and medicine. 

The Parcel Tax Citizens’ Independent Oversight Committee met twice, on June 1, 2012, and on December 11, 2012. These meetings were open to the public where the Committee took public comments at the first meeting. No members of the public attended the second meeting.   

The findings of the Committee were presented to the OUSD Board of Trustees on January 14, 2013.  Their findings are as follows:  

• The parcel tax funds are being appropriately accounted for.
• The parcel tax funds have been used solely for the purposes described in both Measure A and Measure B parcel tax ballot language.
• For the fiscal year 2011-2012, parcel tax funding attributed to 14% of OUSD’s total revenues.
• Parcel tax funds pay for 30% of teacher salaries (including both regular and special education as well as teachers on special assignment).

 In summary, the Committee found OUSD has spent the parcel tax proceeds, from both Measure A and Measure B taxes, as required by law.

The Committee recommended the results of their findings be publicized. The attached file outlines the committees report.

The 2010-11 Fiscal Advisory Committee was assigned the Parcel Tax Oversight responsibility as outlined in the 2003 and 2009 Parcel Tax measures.