Atherton parcel tax for public works projects and police services renews

A parcel tax is another economic solution if city voters approve, and pass the measure.

The Almanac (Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, Woodside), Renee Batti, 6/24/14.  "Atherton city council oks maximum parcel tax."

"Atherton property owners will pay the maximum rate -- $750 annually for most of them -- in parcel taxes for the next fiscal year, the City Council decided at its June 18 meeting. The parcel tax, which raises about $1.86 million annually for public works projects and police services, was set to expire next month, but was renewed by voters in 2013 for four years. The council must approve charging the tax rate each year, and can set it lower than the voter-approved maximum. The tax has always been charged at the maximum rate.

At the study session, Councilman Widmer said that even with conservative projections on the town's surplus revenues -- which this year are estimated at about $6 million and projected to grow as high as $11 million in five years -- the town should be able to lower the parcel-tax rate this coming year without promising reductions in the future.

Councilwoman Lewis noted that the town must focus on deferred maintenance for infrastructure and "significant capital projects" in the future, and keeping the tax rate at its current level would allow it to accelerate some of the work. Referring to the town's study of alternative revenue sources, she said, "Hopefully we won't have to pass another parcel tax in four years."  Read more.

Reference -  Town of Atherton, CA website.   City-data.com, population 7,191 (2012), median household income $232,953, per capita $125,933 (2011). Population change since year 2000, -0.0% (2012).

Note photographs:  Old Atherton city hall from the Town of Atherton, CA website above, the sign from Way Marking.com.

Posted by Kathy Meeh