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By Rachel Williams
July 11, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Here’s Why Your Voice Matters, La Mesa.
The La Mesa City Council voted unanimously on July 9 to let residents vote in November on whether to continue the ¾ cent sales tax extension used to fund public services. Prop L, enacted in 2008, is set to expire in 2029.
According to a city press release sent by the city after the vote, the Prop L sales tax contributes approximately $12 million annually in local funding. Without Prop L funding, the City would need to make significant reductions to public safety services and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, parks, storm drains and other infrastructure, the release states.
“City council is not voting on the tax; [We’re] voting to let the public vote on the tax,” Councilmember Patricia Dillard clarified. Mayor Mark Arapostathis touted the city as fiscally conservative while aiming to protect residents’ life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
All Council members voted in favor of the 3/4 cent sales tax extension being added to the ballot. Although Shu resists the method of sales tax, he thinks the city should find a more sustainable and long-term solution.
“I really want to support the democratic process, and let the people decide whether or not they want to continue with this sales tax,” said Shu, adding that overall he is not a big supporter of sales taxes. “We have other progressive taxing, like income tax or property tax. But sales tax is one of the methods that has worked and fortunately here in La Mesa, I’ve seen a lot of good come from this sales tax,” Shu said.
Todd Nelson, Deputy Fire Chief for Heartland Fire, the city’s fire department, says he supports the Council’s view of letting the voters choose whether to extend the 3/4 cent tax rate or dissolve it.
“The facts will speak for themselves. The voters will make the decision,” Nelson said.
Drastic cuts would be needed to offset Prop L revenues if it is not renewed, he said, adding that even if you sparred public safety, other services would be cut and affect the community even more. Citizens would likely see cuts across the board and it would be noticeable.
Meanwhile, Truth Henley (photo, right), a regular City Council attendee, has a mixed opinion on Prop L because the services can be good, but there should always be a guarantee on where the tax money is going. If public safety services, like police, fire, or EMS, were guaranteed, then it would be positive. But it’s not, the money goes into the general fund, according to Henley.
“It’s their budget to spend however they want, so it’s concerning to me where it would go, but that’s not to say they’ve spent money badly because I don’t think so. It’s very much like the Mayor said, fiscally responsible and conservative,” she adds.
City events and extra services would be her first recommended budget cut. The lowest amount of taxes is most helpful to the community. The job of government is basic services, not event planning. She believes there’s a lack of unity among supervisors.
“Sometimes they can cut back on certain departments, but that might not be realistic either because the price of everything is going up, so I also have to be realistic about it. It’s not an added tax; it’s an extended tax, so it’s a bit different.”
The proposed extension seeks to maintain funding for key services. Key areas impacted by the sales tax include:
• Public Safety: Funding from the sales tax has been used to provide police and fire services, ensuring quick response times and emergency preparedness.
• Infrastructure: The sales tax has supported the maintenance and improvement of streets, sidewalks, and storm drains, contributing to safe and reliable transportation and infrastructure systems.
• Community Services: The sales tax has helped fund recreational programs and senior services, fostering a vibrant and active community.
Residents are encouraged to review the details of the sales tax extension and participate in the upcoming November election.
Additionally, the City invites all residents to complete a survey regarding the sales tax and its impact on the community.
For the survey and more information, please visit the City's Keeping La Mesa Safe and Clean Without Increasing Taxes Webpage.
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