WHY I VOTED 'NO'

Approximately three weeks ago, city staff suggested to the Visalia city council that we do a quick survey to see if Visalians would favor an additional tax placed on the November 2012 ballot.  The polling was rapidly done over a weekend by an out-of-town company, and seemed to show that while Visalians would not favor a utility users tax, they would vote for a half-cent sales tax increase.   Council members were given the poll results on Monday, August 6, and told we had to act that week in order to get it on the ballot in November.  Hastily arranged council meetings were scheduled for Wednesday, then Thursday.  Resolutions and staff recommendations were emailed to us just prior to the meetings, without time for proper reflection.

By law, absent a unanimous vote by the city council declaring a “fiscal emergency,” a two-thirds vote would be required to pass a new tax in November 2012, or we’d have to wait until November 2013, when only a 50% +1 vote is required.  I voted “no” because I didn’t feel the facts justified declaring a fiscal emergency.  So no city tax proposal will be on this November’s ballot.

All governments scream for more tax money.  On a rare occasion, a tax increase may be justified.  The Visalia City Council in July just passed a two-year balanced budget without dipping into reserves and without raising taxes.  We were forced by the bad economy to tighten our belt and cut back on amenities.

As to this new tax proposal, there hadn’t been adequate time to even discuss how big of a sales tax increase was needed; how those funds would be budgeted and spent; whether there should be a sunset clause or the terms thereof; or how we would present the proposal for community study and support.  Instead, the discussion was to get it on the ballot quickly, and then we’d figure out the details later.

For me, how could we tell the community in July that we had spent their tax money wisely and balanced the budget, and then in August claim a fiscal emergency because the sky is falling?

Some of the rhetoric propounded at the council meetings included:

● We need money for a 911 call center: No, we have $8 million already in the bank for that, and we’re just looking for a place to build it.

● We need money for the animal control center: No, we have hired a project manager  and have scheduled the first two years of payments already in the recently passed budget.

● We need money for a southwest fire station:  No, we have adequate Measure “T” funds to pay for that.  The delay has been in finding a good spot to build it on the southwest side of town.

● Our fire department will be totally depleted some nights:  No, we have the best firefighters in the state.  Our stations are staffed, and one may soon be double-staffed.  9 new Measure T firefighters have been hired and start work in September. These new tax funds probably wouldn’t have been allocated to the firefighters anyway. They are ready when needed.

● Our parks may be closed due to lack of funding:  News to me!  So, why did we just vote last month to use parks money to build a new water park next to Rawhide Stadium?

● Pity the candidate who is up for reelection in 2013 at the same time as a proposed tax increase: If I choose to run again next year, I have no problem doing that next to a well planned, well articulated and reasonable sales tax increase proposal.  I trust the voters to make up their own minds and have the final say.  If they don’t want to be taxed extra for specific community improvements, that’s their call.

I propose that we now hit the restart button.  I call for the city council to take the time, with city staff assistance, to determine what infrastructure and other pressing needs the city has which can’t be met by current tax revenues.  Let’s get citizens’ input, do the calculations, prioritize, figure out how much, if any, of a tax increase is needed, and for how long (this was all done prior to Measure “T” passage).  Let’s get the Chamber of Commerce, the VEDC, and other community businesses and organizations involved in the discussion.  And no scare tactics!  Properly done, I will volunteer to be the head cheerleader for such a ballot initiative, if it’s needed.

It’s okay to invest in Visalia and on occasion, to ask for tax help from our citizens, when properly timed and they’re provided with good information.  Then, let’s leave it up to the voters to decide.

Published in the Visalia Times Delta, Aug. 14, 2012