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By CLARK MASON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Healdsburg residents could be asked to tax themselves a little more, depending on the results of a community poll.
The City Council got an update Monday on ways to survey voters’ attitudes toward a possible half-percent increase in the city’s 9 percent sales tax.
“I’m not crazy about raising taxes in this climate. But we have to do something about our budget. It’s not sustainable,” Vice-Mayor Gary Plass said in an interview.
The poll could also measure voters’ willingness to raise or reallocate the city’s bed tax, which is paid by hotel guests.
The City Council is expected to set the parameters of the poll at its Nov. 7 meeting.
Seven consulting firms have submitted bids to conduct the poll, with costs ranging from $15,000 to $37,363.
The survey will likely try to ascertain which city services generate the most support and opposition.
Councilman Jim Wood said he is open to considering a sales tax hike, or tinkering with the bed tax, but it will depend on poll results.
“Who knows where we end up? Maybe it’s a combination, or we don’t do any of it,” he said in an interview.
City officials said previously the measure would not be placed on the ballot until June or November 2012.
Raising the sales tax to 9.5 percent would put Healdsburg on par with Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Cotati.
Another question is whether a ballot measure would only pay for specific things like road improvements, or go into the general fund, which primarily pays for police and fire services.
Mayor Tom Chambers said he is inclined to support a specific tax. Voters would know where the money is being spent, he said, and the tax could be set to end automatically. It would require approval from two-thirds of the city’s voters.
Plass said he is more inclined toward a general sales tax increase, which only requires a majority vote and would go to the general fund.
He said the general fund is looking at another projected deficit next year of $500,000 to $600,000.
“We have a responsibility to keep public safety as whole as we can, along with keeping water flowing and toilets flushing,” Plass said.
Council members also want to get an idea on whether the city’s 12 percent bed tax can be reallocated. Currently, 10 percent from the tax goes to park and recreation programs and 2 percent toward the general fund. But council members are weighing whether to ask voters to change the formula to help boost the general fund.
Council members acknowledged that voters will need to be assured the city is spending its money wisely. Plass noted that city employees are contributing more toward their retirement and health plans.
“I don’t see them (voters) coming forward and supporting this if we don’t show them we’re serious about reducing costs of government,” he said.
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Politicians only know how to spend our money not budget or cut back! Consulting firms are just another way to spend our money and justify their already decided point on raising taxes.
“But we have to do something about our budget.’
Cut back on the spending like the rest of us have done.
If you have visited Healdsburg, or live there, you will experience one of the most robust economies in Sonoma County. Streets jammed with tourists shopping and enjoying wine country cuisine and hotel experience. You have to ask how could a city like this be strapped for income?
You don’t need a consultant to tell you the answer. The City Council needs to address their budget and work within the parameters of the income generated. This means scrutinizing every allocation for need and scope.
Until the current council can show restraint and fiscal responsibility any hope of passing additional tax rates will most likely be rejected.
Wow, Jim. Thanks for the link to the San Francisco wheel chair ramp debacle. Another perfect example of why we need to starve this beast.
Healdsburg can save itself from $15,000 to $37,363 and skip the poll. I’m pretty sure whether the City Council decides on the $15k poll or the $37 K poll that City Council will conclude that the poll indicates that the citizens want to be taxed more and leave it entirely up to City Council on who to to dole out the additional money to.
Don’t fall for it, Healdsburg. Santa Rosa told us an additional sales tax would fund parks, street lights, swimming pools and senior centers. Then they gave it all to the cops to pay for their pensions.
Never a consideration to cut spending. It is ridiculous.
Did anyone see the article about the San Francisco Supervisor’s wheelchair ramp project?? This is exactly why I’m against giving another cent to any level of government. Read the article. A $16,000 ramp cost $567,735. Included in the project was $170,000 for “plans”, $40,000 to hire “historic experts” to make sure the extinct wood matched (!!!), $200,000 in labor costs and $49,000 for a custom brass rail.
Anyone who supports ANY further taxes for the government to waste needs to be evaluated. Every dollar they spend has at least 40 cents of waste.
Link – http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/10/17/phil-matier-san-francisco-city-hall%E2%80%99s-500k-wheelchair-ramp/
“”“I’m not crazy about raising taxes in this climate. But we have to do something about our budget. It’s not sustainable,” Vice-Mayor Gary Plass said in an interview.”"
Clearly, the Mayor is unfit for the job because there is fully the option to cut spending and make the budget “sustainable.”
What a dimwit.