Marsha Rosenberg says that business has been brisk this spring
at her shop Happily Ever After. If the San Juan Bautista City
Council gets its wish, the city could soon get a little more income
out of those increased sales.
Marsha Rosenberg says that business has been brisk this spring at her shop Happily Ever After. If the San Juan Bautista City Council gets its wish, the city could soon get a little more income out of those increased sales.
In less than two weeks, voters in San Juan Bautista will be deciding on Measure U, which proposes a sales tax increase of 0.5 percent. After a year of major cuts, the city is attempting to give its general fund a shot in the arm for the coming fiscal year.
Small business owners and residents have mixed feelings about the proposal.
If passed the, increase is expected to bring in about $125,000 each year into the general fund to pay for everything from police, fire and library services to utility help for the elderly and support for community events. The depletion of funds in recent years has resulted in varied cuts such as sharply decreased library hours and the elimination of a deputy and fire chief position.
The new tax revenue is not yet slated for specific reversals of cuts or for new services.
“We are going to put together a commission to advise the city council on how to best spend the money,” said Vice Mayor Rick Edge.
Boykin Sellers, owner of Mission Gallery in San Juan Bautista, noted how she understands the requirement for the city to increase its income.
“I support that if they spend a portion of the money promoting the retail sales in the community,” she said. “If they aren’t doing that, their sales tax income will continue to fall no matter what taxes they pass.”
City Hall officials maintain this is a way to increase funding while minimizing the impact on locals.
“Sales taxes are paid mostly by visitors,” reads the Council Fact Sheet for The June 2008 Sales Tax Election. Rosenberg isn’t so sure about that, laughingly saying, “Oh, that’s baloney. I have lots of local people that come in every week and spend money. But people probably wouldn’t even notice a 1/2-cent difference anyhow.”
