Hollister
– Measure R, the ballot initiative that would have increased the
city’s sales tax, remained behind in the election as of press time.
If the result stands, the city could be facing numerous service
cuts made necessary by its $2.7 million budget deficit.
Hollister – Measure R, the ballot initiative that would have increased the city’s sales tax, remained behind in the election as of press time. If the result stands, the city could be facing numerous service cuts made necessary by its $2.7 million budget deficit.
With 35 percent of ballots counted, 52 percent of voters opposed Measure R, and 48 percent supported it.
“I don’t hold up a lot of hope for Measure R to pass,” Yes-on-R campaign chair David Huboi said late in the evening. “If it goes this way, and Measure R doesn’t pass, I want to put out there that I’m proud of the Measure R committee, who put their heart into this.”
Huboi predicted that there are difficult times ahead for Hollister, and he encouraged city residents – including those who opposed the measure – to work together with the local government to save as many programs as possible.
“The process is just beginning,” Huboi said.
Measure R would have raised Hollister’s sales tax from 7.25 percent to 8.25 percent, increasing the city’s portion of sales tax revenue from 0.75 percent to 1.75 percent. According to the city’s estimate, this would have generated $4 million annually.
Supporters of the measure have pointed out that this would put Hollister’s sales tax at the same level as Santa Clara County’s. Huboi has argued that the city’s revenue is particularly low: $327 per capita for fiscal year 2005-2006, compared to $780 in Gilroy and $1,519 in Monterey.
Measure R would also have created a citizen’s oversight committee to annually examine how the revenue is being spent. The tax increase would begin on April 1, 2007 and end five years later.
Hollister currently has a $2.7 million budget deficit. City Manager Clint Quilter – who has said that services are already “cut to the bone” – asked the city’s staff to identify potential service cuts if the measure does not pass.
These cuts could include reduced hours at city hall, elimination of the gang prevention and intervention program, elimination of property crime investigation, elimination of drug crime investigation, reduced police department office hours to 25 hours per week, elimination of spay/neuter programs, elimination of the fire department’s truck company, closure of all park restrooms, elimination of pothole repair, elimination of non-development reimbursed planning and elimination of the recreation department.
There was no organized opposition to the measure, but a number of residents have said they opposed it because they don’t trust the city government to spend the money well. Hollister resident Clifford Cardoza has called the city’s discussion of possible service cuts an attempt to threaten voters into supporting the measure.
The Yes-on-R campaign got off to a relatively late start; it only began in earnest about a month ago. Political consultant Robert Rivas was asked to lead the campaign, but he said he had to decline due to a lack of time.
Voters who supported the measure said they were concerned about the potential service cuts.
“I’m all for it,” said Xavier Alvarez. “We can’t go without the services.”
Gloria Cruz added, “We’re losing vital stuff. We need people to keep the place in order.”
Opponents have expressed concerns about the city’s fiscal responsibility. However, Denise Carter’s opposition had more to do with the fact that she works outside Hollister than with a distrust of local government.
“I don’t really do much more than live in the city,” she said. “I don’t use too many of the services.”
Quilter said that if Measure R doesn’t pass, the City Council will have to decide the best way to cut the budget. Quilter predicted that the Council will make its decision in the next month, and the cuts will take effect early in 2007.
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or ah*@fr***********.com.
