Oakland Zoo Measure A1 Falls Short of Two-Thirds

A property tax measure that would have benefitted the Oakland Zoo won 62.77 percent of the vote according a tally posted Wednesday night, but that was shy of the two-thirds majority it needed to pass, .

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters has not yet certified the results but told Patch earlier today that it expected to have finished counting the last ballots by the end of Wednesday.

Measure A1 had proposed for a $12 per year tax on single family homes over the next 25 years to be used for humane care, veterinarians and educational programs.

Critics slammed the program, questioning the lack of government transparency by funding such an institution with public monies and fearing that the money could be used for expansion projects in Knowland Park, which environmentalists have opposed. 

A1 supporters said the measure had "strict fiscal accountability, including independent financial audits, citizens oversight, and an Expenditure Plan to ensure funds are spent as promised." 

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