Sales Tax in Half Moon Bay going to Fall ballot

"Measure J asks city residents to assess an extra half-cent in sales tax within city limits. If approved, the measure would push the local sales tax to 8.75 percent – a 6 percent increase in the tax. City officials expect it to raise about $867,000 annually for the three-year life of the tax."  Half Moon Bay Review/Staff, 8/16/12.  "Sales tax proposal given a letter:  it's Measure J."  Read Article.

Where to start, pass "J" or not? 

The sales tax "... is necessary to fund infrastructure improvements not currently covered in the operational budget". .."...the first payment wouldn’t come until July 2013. The measure requires only a simple majority to pass." 

"The city has struggled to make ends meet for several years. An $18 million court judgment over the Beachwood land dispute nearly sent the city into bankruptcy. Since then a nationwide recession has hurt tax receipts. The city has responded by cutting many positions in city hall and contracting police, planning, parks and other municipal services.

Now city leaders say they have turned a financial corner, but they still need about $1 million a year to cover several big-ticket infrastructure projects, notably replacement of the crumbling Main Street bridge. The sales tax revenue could be used for that purpose. The official ballot language also mentions the need to boost tourism, improve parks and other popular city programs, though the city would have wide discretion over how to ultimately spend the tax money.   Half Moon Bay Review/Clay Lambert, 6/19/12.  "Half Moon Bay to push half-cent tax in November."   Read Article.

Related article  - Fix Pacifica reprint,"  San Mateo County Times, 5/2/12/Aaron Kinney, 5/2/12. "Half Moon Bay:  Still quirky, and back from the brink."

Posted by Kathy Meeh