Primary ballot questions

TOMORROW, in addition to voting in primaries for a number of elected offices, city voters will have a chance to weigh in on a variety of ballot questions.

Here's a guide:

QUESTION 1: Gives City Council power to (i) require contractors and financial assistance recipients to submit economic opportunity plans, and (ii) failure . . . may prohibit a business from receiving city contracts or financial assistance; and to authorize Council to designate existing city agencies (including Council) or to create new agencies to enforce provisions.

What this actually means: To help insure that more women and minorities get contracts, Council wants to extend its authority to require economic opportunity plans beyond competetively bid contracts to include professional service contracts and non-bid contracts. This would codify that authority, and would also allow Council to ban certain contractors who don't comply.

Our take: We have reservations about the additional power this would grant Council to involve itself in contracts - and to create new agencies. But the city has an abysmal track record on minority participation in contracts, though the Nutter administration is working on improvements. In the end, the potential damage in not passing this initiative is worse than the damage in passing it. Our "yes" vote comes with reservations.

How people should vote: YES.

QUESTION 2: Designating the Commissioner of Licenses and Inspections as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, who may replace any absent or disqualified appointed member of that Board.

What this actually means: Would reduce the size of the Zoning Board from six to five, requiring only four members to be present to hear a zoning case. The L&I commissioner would only be an alternate, not a full member of the board.

Our take: The ZBA has had a hard time reaching a quorum, frustrating countless people who come before it for a decision or ruling. Councilman Darrell Clarke should be commended for trying to make it easier to reach a quorum. But we don't like the idea of making a board this powerful smaller. Instead of one alternate, the ZBA could have a number of them. Mayor Nutter should work faster to get this problem fixed within the current government.

How people should vote: NO.

QUESTION 3: Shall the Board of Revision of Taxes be abolished, and its powers, functions and duties be reassigned to a new Office of Property Assessment and to a Board of Property Assessment Appeals (with respect to appeals from such assessments), with the members of the Board appointed from nominations made by a Board of Property Assessment Appeals Nominating Panel?

How people should vote: YES.

QUESTION 4: Should the city of Philadelphia borrow $65,525,000 to be spent for and toward capital purposes as follows: Transit; Streets and Sanitation; Municipal Buildings; Parks, Recreation and Museums; and Economic and Community Development?

What this actually means: The city requires approval from voters to borrow funds for long-term improvements. This money will almost all be spent on long-term infrastructure improvements across city government.

Our take: While it's a big number to borrow, especially as the city struggles, letting the infrastructure needs go unfilled will be, in the long term, a more expensive alternative.

How people should vote: YES.