Sales Tax on March 2020 Ballot
On November 12, 2019, the City Council unanimously voted 5-0 to add a proposed 0.75% sales tax increase on the March 2020 ballot.
Historically, the City has been very fiscally conservative with healthy reserves, so why did the Council put this measure on the ballot? Listen to this episode to get more information about the City’s rationale behind the decision as well as details about what the sales tax could mean for the City and its residents.
Ballot Measure Text:
SAN DIMAS ESSENTIAL SERVICES PRESERVATION MEASURE
To preserve San Dimas’ long-term financial stability; maintain emergency response, neighborhood sheriff patrols; prevent thefts/burglaries; protect/clean local water sources; keep public areas safe/clean; repair streets/potholes; maintain senior, youth/afterschool services/other general services; shall a measure be adopted establishing a 0.75% sales tax providing approximately $4,700,000 annually until ended by voters; requiring audits/public disclosure of all spending, all funds benefiting San Dimas residents?
UPDATES: Since this episode came out, the City added more information to their website about the ballot measure:
General information
City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis
City Council’s Argument in Favor of the Measure
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Are you interested in donating to the family whose apartment at the Trails burned down in mid-November? Shull Elementary school is accepting donations of girl’s clothing (sizes 4T and 7, shoe sizes 8 toddler and 13/1) and Target, Walmart, restaurant, and other gift cards for the family. Please label donations “c/o Shull Elementary Family” and drop them off at the school’s front office on Monday, November 25, or anytime during school hours starting December 2.
Happy Thanksgiving!
John Durden
Proponents: This measure will help the City of San Dimas continue the services that our City has provided to youth, elderly, and the public safety of our Residents. Since the State of California and/or County has talked about adding an additional sales tax in the future and the State has a cap on sales tax, money collected will go to those agencies rather than were we need it the most. In voting to increase the sales tax, we are keeping the money and spending it here.
Opponents: Our City has been fiscally prudent and continues to provide the services we need for all the above. The sales tax collected has plateaued in recent years but still provides the essential services for the City to run. Increasing the sales tax is not necessary and will only add more pressure to working families with all the taxes of last election as well as the new taxes signed by the Governor this year.
My Take: This whole measure is a bunch of smoke screens and mirrors. The intention maybe paved with good intentions, with all the threats of the State of California and County, but that’s fear mongering to get you to raise your taxes. Sure, the State of California has a “cap” on sales tax, but what stops the Democratic super majority in the State Legislature from not writing a bill to raise the cap or get rid of it altogether and continuously raise your taxes for their tax and spend schemes? Absolutely nothing! Working families are already paying for the brunt of austerity measures that strain the everyday man. We don’t need anymore taxation. If you want revenue to come to the City, promote and be apart of the “Shop San Dimas” campaign, like Councilman Tony Wu has done for the City of West Covina. Sales tax is regressive and there’s no end insight once you choose the path of destruction.
Isabel in San Dimas
Thanks for summarizing the pros and cons on this topic. I also really appreciate your overall take. Definitely something for me to think about further. –Isabel
Shawn
Not sure I get the argument “The state might raise the cap again so I am going to vote no on keeping this .75 of sales tax in my city.” Please explain the logic behind this. The state will do what it does no matter how you vote this time.
Craig Gilmore
The city of Glendora had the exact same tax on their ballot last year with the exact same argument. Glendora successfully scared their residents into voting in favor of the 0.75% tax increase so the state and/or county could not increase the tax themselves and take the lion’s share. Scare tactics. I, for one, will not be bullied into voting in a ridiculous tax increase when the city is doing just fine.
Isabel in San Dimas
Thanks for your message, Craig. Personally, I don’t necessarily feel “scared” into voting for the tax. For me, it’s more about balancing the “necessity” vs “prudence” of having such a tax. In speaking to different neighbors/residents, it seems like most people are against the tax increase, unless they are affiliated with the government. Just my observation so far.