County supervisors agreed Tuesday to put off any possible ballot-tax measures until at least 2016.
Supervisors at their regular meeting this week shelved the consideration of a countywide general sales tax – with talks of setting the rate at somewhere between 0.25 percent and 1 percent. They did so after discussing September intergovernmental committee talks involving officials with the City of Hollister who indicated they would not support the countywide tax, which would require the city to relinquish its recently approved Measure E sales tax.
County officials estimate a sales tax could raise between $1.25 million and $5 million annually to help pay for services. The effort started with a focus on trying to pass a special tax district for library and parks services. Surveys showed that there would not be enough voter support for such a measure needing two-thirds of voters’ support, so county officials in the summer turned toward the prospect of a general sales tax that would require a majority of voters’ support.
Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday to put off the planning process until late 2014 and 2015. Supervisor Robert Rivas had the only dissenting vote. He said he would not support an additional sales tax. The county currently uses the state sales tax of 7.5 percent. Hollister has the additional Measure E tax and has a total tax of 8.5 percent, while San Juan’s rate is 8.25 percent.
“I do appreciate the staff time,” Rivas said. “Except I don’t support a tax. I really don’t.”
For other supervisors, one of the major challenges is garnering the city’s support. The city would have to agree to relinquish its own tax and replace it with the county funding source.
Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz, for one, speculated that city leaders might be more willing to join the effort in a few years when Measure E’s five-year cycle runs out. County officials also expressed concern about making sure voters are not confused about the different agencies’ rates.≈
