Editor’s note: There has been little open debate on the merits (or not) of Measure L in Nevada City. Most of what you hear publicly is the City Council’s (and the Nevada City political “machine’s”) support of it. One of the benefits of social media is a more democratic discussion. In that vein, here’s a rationale for opposing it.
I am opposed to the Nevada City sales tax increase (Measure L) for the following reasons:
•If passed, the sales tax would be 8.25%. I am concerned that this would put our local businesses at risk of losing customers to Placer County where the sales tax is 7.25%, 1% is a huge difference. We are encouraged to shop local but this will have the opposite effect in my opinion.
•Nevada City has gone to the well too many times with a similar sales tax increase in 2006 and recent large increases in water rates. The well is dry…and the lawns are brown.
•This tax, in my opinion, should be a special tax with a 2/3 majority needed to pass since 30-40% (depending on the year) will be specifically used for salary increases for 2 top management positions and a new police officer. The city has been less than forthright in stating this fact and has carefully worded the election documents to qualify it as a general tax with 51% needed to pass,
•Bottom line, NC has gone to lengths to deceive the citizens with this tax measure and I will never vote for anything where my tax dollars are used to increase management salaries. Nevada City has generous salaries that could be cut back and some positions that are not needed. That is where the money should come from.
Steve Dodge
Filed under: Uncategorized
I agree with Steve. Governments from federal to state to county to city seem to only think about raising more revenues by increasing taxes, fees etc.. We don’t have much input when it comes to those areas outside our city. But we can have direct input into the city by our votes. The governments that control the tax base of our state and country need to take a hard look at what private industry does when income levels drop below the costs of doing business. Those of us in private industry look at what we are spending our income on first and see if there is unnecessary expense in these areas and then proceed to make those cuts first. You can’t keep going back to the well that is drying up. If private industry continues to be stripped of operating capital to run their businesses through taxes, fees, regulations, etc. these major employers who higher those to work, and those they higher will pay taxes, these employers will not have the capital to expand their businesses. The current tax structure for employers does not give them the bases or guidelines to be able to expand their businesses. When a company invests in capital expenditures such as a new building, new equipment, etc. they have to project a return on the investment. These businesses are projecting out 5 to 10 years as to what a dollar spent will return them at any given time. Our government, at this point in time cannot tell these business what their tax rate, along with required business sponsored government entitlements, will be out beyond 18 months.
So I got off on a bunny trail here, but until this city does something to insure operating costs for businesses, this tax is a no go. The city can’t do it, until our county gets one board, to take it to the state and the state takes it to Washington. What’s the saying about a certain item that continues to slid down hill. How about us in Nevada City start pushing it back up the hill. It has to start somewhere, why not here.
I think about things like why not have a full-time Police Chief and City Manager but what about a 1/2 time Finance Director and 1/2 time City Planner (until the economy improves)? A full-time City Manager is certainly equipped to handle some Finance Director duties.
The costs that were allocated to a City Planner in the current budget were north of $130,000. Can we afford that in a flat economy where there’s limited construction activity? I worry that we’re just kicking the can down the road without enough innovative thinking.
I also worry that the City Council, while very well meaning, isn’t experienced enough to drive this. I also worry that they aren’t comfortable holding the staff accountable. It’s a very friendly environment, and that’s great. But I saw little probing of the budget when it was discussed at a recent meeting.
I would not only support a “special” tax requiring a 2/3 vote that is targeted (like Measure S), I would volunteer to help get it passed and put a big sign in the yard!
Thank you for bringing this subject matter into play. As a long standing resident (36 years), I have deep roots within the community and have stood in place firmly and verbally when the voice has been called upon. There were many of us who moved up here during the 70′s that saw and invisioned a community that was outstandly special on so many different levels. It wasn’t about just one individual, but all of us that brought Nevada City into it’s brilliant renaissance. To our honor, it was a modern day cultural movement where the town flowered and focused on a variety of factors that glorified the cause. We bought property or homes when it was affordable, raised our children, had the best schools (next to Marin), and all was complete.
All has changed and I’m not going to point the finger at our nation’s economy as the only issue. Living here has afforded many of us to enjoy the blessing and gifts that come with this magical location. But with that said, please take off those rose-colored glasses because all is not well in paradise. Is it more pleasant than it really is?
Our City government has had it’s strong individuals who historically have served and kept the integrity of this town in check, but I fear an increasingly muffled one-color directive is now in play. This hasn’t evolved overnight but increasingly over the years, as wotnessed by those of us who are now entering into that “senior” status. Do we stay or do we jump ship? It’s a personal choice.
What we have is a flimsy structure that serves some but not all inhabitants. My father use to always joke with me about the insest of small communities. It’s no longer a joke. Favoritism is rampent within our local government and I find it shameful to say the least. We have an arrangement, or situation that is in danger of collapsing. “The collapse of the rupiah..has brought down a house of cards in over leveraged conglomerates” ~Sanders Thoenes
Measure L has become the rush order and the quick fix…or the preferred bandaid treatment to sell the consumer and citizens of Nevada City that all will be better in 5 years. Does that crystal ball truly does exist? Tell me exactly where this money money will be going and you have my vote. As it stands, and please correct me if wrong, I see nothing that promises in writing or states where this funneled new taxation is to benifit a highlighted need. As a citizen, I am frustratated by the ongoing dishonesty and lack of transparency that has been portrayed under this measure. There are a lot of great suggestions that make mention of priorities for “unmet needs”, however, there is no definite directive.
What ever happened to that “parking fund” that has magically disappeared into thin air? Many may be asking right about now…What parking fund? Good question. The file and fund is empty! And the leaky infrastructure to all those 100+ year old water pipes that we as consumers are now paying for? Oh, no worry, we’ll all be working with NID within a year.
I will always thank my father for educating me early as a female, to always think independently and be a SMART consumer advocate.
Great comment Gail. Good questions, and they need to be answered.