With its sales tax measure too close to call and an unofficial
loss declared on the proposed increase to the growth cap, San Juan
Bautista’s future appears uncertain.
With its sales tax measure too close to call and an unofficial loss declared on the proposed increase to the growth cap, San Juan Bautista’s future appears uncertain.
There were 270 votes counted Tuesday night for the city’s election. On Measure C, which would increase the sales tax from 8 percent to 8.5 percent, the election was declared too close to call with 131 voters approving and 138 in opposition. There were 37 provisional votes, which won’t be counted until they are confirmed as valid.
Officials had previously stated that the sales tax proposal’s outcome could determine whether the city would remain incorporated. The city has faced continued cuts to city services and dwindling finances this year. Officials had hoped that the passing of the sales tax increase could help save the city’s budget.
“It’s a vote on, do you want San Juan to continue or not? And I think a lot of people don’t know,” City Manager Jan McClintock said.
With 57 percent of voters against it, Measure B appears to have been rejected, according to unofficial results. It would have increased the growth cap from 1 percent to 3 percent. There were 116 “yes” votes and 154 “no” votes.
McClintock said the voters coming out against the growth cap increase could open the city to lawsuits.
“This will keep us out of compliance with state law,” she said.
She said the city council now has to work to make sure officials align as best as possible with the law.
San Juan resident Rita Tuttle said she voted against the measure because she didn’t want to see the city grow and its resources stretched further.
“I worry about San Juan being built up because we don’t even have enough water to go around,” Tuttle said.
This was echoed by Wendy Mullen, who said she believed one of the best qualities about the City of History was its small size and farming background.
“On the growth issue, I voted no because I doubt San Juan has the resources for the growth. The agriculture here makes San Juan really special and it would be a shame to lose that,” she said.
Mullen said with Measure C, she had initially thought she would vote in favor, but felt there was no proof the money would go to the appropriate places.
Veronica Matchain, co-owner of Matxain Etxea, the Basque Restaurant in San Juan Bautista, said the increased tax would harm businesses in an already “dying” downtown.
Several people said they feared the sales tax would drive away tourists.
“The businesses are hurting so much as is that even more costs to the bills are going to drive more people to shop in Gilroy,” voter Bruce Pirl said.
