Christ Yoder
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Two years ago, voters passed the R and S measures, the former by an overwhelming majority of nearly two-thirds, the latter by a very slim margin. Both measures increase sales tax revenue by 13.4% in the city and county, respectively.
I argued against both taxes.
It is both misleading and annoying when proponents of maintaining the two taxes falsely claim that the increase is only a penny. The difference between 7.25 and 8.25 cents is an additional $2 million in municipal revenue added to the general fund, just over a single Lincoln penny.
City and county voters will have another bite to eat to affirm or deny the new tax come November. Confusedly, sales tax measurements are yes means no and no means yes. A yes cancels the increase. A no vote retains the current higher sales tax rates.
Measure T: Municipal sales tax. Registered voters in the city will see BOTH repeal measures on their city ballots.
The 2.42 square mile jurisdiction of Crescent City is the heart and soul of our community. Improving our city is essential.
Measure U: The county sales tax. The needs of our Rhode Island-sized Del Norte County are quite different from those of the city, and the various county focal points serve small pockets of population similarly funded by the state.
Del Norte is a political extension of Sacramento and derives much of its revenue, including a 19-cent return on every dollar of Del Norte County property tax paid to the state. There is no need to recall the government’s funding policy. Sacramento’s output is modest at best and will never meet the county’s needs.
Let me be very clear. The intended use of R&S measures is positive and productive; no one can dispute it. The questions remain, are tax increases both justified and affordable, as proponents claim?
The city’s budget includes approximately $44 million per year, which includes water and sewer services outside of city limits. Approximately $10.4 million is general funds which have been increased by 20% through the adoption of Measure S.
After watching how the city allocated the approximately $2 million in revenue it made, I must frankly admit that I may have misjudged what the city needs to not only survive, but also thrive.
During an ongoing City Council request by Chief Richard Griffin to equip officers with appropriate and expensive weapons and related tools to be allocated from Measure S funds, a rather ignorant and uninformed the public comment speaker took issue with the expense as wasteful and unnecessary. The comment was offensive and disrespectful of the agents’ dangerous work. I was outraged. The next public speaker via ZOOM was me. I made my justified and harsh criticism of the non-resident of the city who spoke out irresponsibly before my comment and defended the perilous work our officers do, often without mercy, each shift.
I am convinced that the funds are not wasted. Here is how the new taxes are distributed in the City
Firefighters: $597,000.
Police Services: $740,000.
Street improvements: $1.531 million
Fred Endert Pool: $1.523 million.
A closer look at funding is compelling. The abrogation of augmentation deteriorates the quality of life. Do I agree that each allowance is imperative? Nope!
What I observe is the greatest good served by preserving xity’s current sales tax.
No one likes or welcomes a tax hike, especially in poverty-stricken Crescent City. I am no different; however, I can appreciate the benefit of keeping the higher sales tax to improve Crescent City. To the risk of sending more customers to Brookings, I see more positives than negatives that will improve and make Crescent City a beautiful and special place. Numbers no distort. Visitors continue to come to Crescent City.
I don’t see it the same way for the county.
The $182 million budget just passed includes a general fund of $38.7 million, the largest growth the government has ever seen in the FM’s somewhat flexible budget. In no year, I recall, has the board ever attempted to reduce or reallocate funds from the general fund. The budget has increased and continues to increase like helium. As a result of these expenditures, do you see a noticeable improvement in the quality of life in Del Norte County (crickets)?
The mercenary board of supervisors, without the benefit of an ad hoc oversight committee, followed the city’s leadership in voting unanimously to place the tax increase on the 2020 ballot and a small number of obedient voters. and dedicated approved the increase. Much of the newly derived revenue, around $1.795 million, was larger than expected. About 50% of these Measure R funds were directed to law enforcement, community enforcement (development) and emergency services. Along with funding, there is an increase in salaried positions. The remaining 50% is earmarked for unannounced infrastructure projects, with the highly opaque goal of improving dilapidated and neglected properties in the county (including the jail and possibly the kennel) and addressing deferred maintenance.
These infrastructure bargains will continue to swell every year in perpetuity with no intended purpose. Imposing new taxes on the public without identified and specific projects is irresponsible, unnecessary and dishonest. Putting people’s money back in their pockets is responsible, trustworthy, honest AND boosts the local economy. The growth of government is a burden and retards prosperity. The resulting growth of government will create greater dependency on an already beleaguered taxpayer.
Further away, the county also receives state funding SB1 for road improvements. The city does not have such a funding mechanism for road rehabilitation.
According to the recently adopted 22-23 budget, funding for animal services increased by approximately $78,000 over the prior year. These budgeted funds can solve staffing issues at Animal Control, whether or not the county’s Measure U is repealed. Wiser people than me argue that it is unwise to clarify funding for Animal Control until voters have a say in the county sales tax.
There are those who despise and distrust any government, dwelling on its failures to solve long-standing problems. Sometimes I share my frustration with government inefficiency, but I’m not one of those “locals” who choose to “…throw the baby out with the bathwater.” Raising the city’s general sales tax is necessary and justified: the county sales tax is not.
The position of EYE ON DEL NORTE is shared.
NO on the municipal measure T: status quo. Withhold tax.
YES on county measure U: waive tax at 7.25%.
Still confused? I hope not.
Roger Gitlin is a retired Del County supervisor and resides in Crescent City.
