Update: San Carlos City Council approves increase in sales tax.
Citizens to vote now.
As discussed in Monday’s post, the San Carlos City Council voted as expected in their Monday night meeting and approved a measure which will put a 0.5% sales tax increase on the November 3rd ballot. If approved, the sales tax rate for San Carlos will increase from 9.25% to 9.75%, making it the highest sales tax rate on the entire Peninsula, including San Francisco.
For more details on the meeting, check out Mike Rosenberg’s article: San Carlos Sales Tax Hike Heading to Ballot.
Tough Battle
This will prove to be an interesting and tough battle for both sides of this initiative as November 3 draws closer. There’s no doubt that the City needs additional revenue to keep some vital programs in place, and to prevent additional layoffs. On the other hand, a tax rate of nearly 10% will likely keep some shoppers away from local businesses, especially for larger purchases.
Look for lots of lobbying on both sides as the election draws nearer..
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Instead of increasing any taxes, the city should be negotiating new contracts with the city unions to reduce salary, benefits and retirement costs like many other cities and governmental agencies are doing right now. I find it unacceptable to discuss closing parks when the city isn’t looking into other options to reduce costs. Many people I know in private industry, including myself, have taken pay cuts to keep our jobs and still maintain services to our clients. Also, how is Belmont able to add a school and 2 new parks and yet we are talking about closing parks?
As I said in the poll, I will vote NO.
The City web site Home Page has a story/web link on a recent Grand Jury report praising recent agreements with employee groups to cut benefits, etc.
The direct link to that report is at http://www.cityofsancarlos.org/gov/depts/cm/city_budget_challenges/council_report___response_to_civil_grand_jury_report___employee_costs.asp
A smarter solution is to install parking meters along Laurel Street and Wheeler Plaza. It’s guaranteed revenue that would pull the city out of hole.
Or the city could sell that property which would help tremendously with their budget issues.
C, salary and retirement reductions need to happen as well in order to really save $. Most other cities are doing this now.