HOLLISTER
After two days of uncertainty, the final votes were counted and the proposed sales tax increase in the Mission City was narrowly defeated.
Measure C, which would have increased San Juan Bautista’s sales tax from 8 percent to 8.5 percent, was voted down by 51.95 percent of voters. The election was initially too close to call, but after the final absentee and provisional votes were counted Thursday, the loss was officially declared. There were 148 votes for the tax increase and 160 votes against it.
City Councilman Rick Edge said he was “disappointed” by the loss, which he said will result in additional cuts to city services.
“It would have been a big help to the city to have that extra money,” Edge said “We’ve cut a lot out of our budget already.”
But the measure’s opponents say the tax hike could have driven away tourists and their much-needed dollars and that there are still places to make cuts in the city’s budget.
“There’s always ways to save money,” said former City Councilman Chuck Geiger. “The key here is just smart spending. Without smart spending, people look at the city council and say, ‘Why are you spending so much money?'”
Geiger said he feels city officials need to come up with a strategic plan each year on priorities for spending on projects. The city should also closely analyze expenditures to look for unnecessary spending, he said.
“Our town can survive. We’re not dying,” Geiger said.
City Manager Jan McClintock said the city has also made major cuts to city programs and services, and the defeat of this measure will mean that not only will these programs not be reinstated, but also that additional cuts will have to be made.
“There’s only so much you can do,” she said. “We probably will look at additional cuts (in January).”
McClintock said the state budget also appears to be tight this year, which could result in even further cuts to the city.
So far, the limited budget has led the city to cut back hours at the City Hall and the library, cut back on code enforcement and eliminate landscaping work.
Despite the city’s budget woes, Edge said he doesn’t believe it should lead to the city disincorporating. Citing Tres Pinos’ fight against the proposed hotel as an example, he said without being an incorporated city, San Juan Bautista would have much less power and autonomy.
“You lose a voice in what’s going on when you’re not a city, and I don’t think people in San Juan want to lose that,” he said.
