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Residents expressed differing opinions on the proposed measure after local organizations warned voters that the sales tax increase has no sunset date that could continue indefinitely.
La Habra city officials are proposing a 1% sales tax increase measure in November after making budget cuts of over $6 million while some residents voiced concerns over the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.
At Monday’s council meeting, city officials unanimously voted to put the measure on the November ballot, as 70% of the general fund is spent on public safety.
Officials stated that placing the proposal on the ballot would enable voters to determine whether they wish to uphold the existing level of city services while expressing concerns about the potential consequences of not approving the proposal, particularly in terms of police response times and public safety.
“70% of our budget goes there, we’re going to have to balance the budget, but I’ll tell you – you cannot cut a budget without cutting public service at that point,” Councilman James Gomez, a lifelong resident of La Habra, said.
According to a staff report, the new measure proposed would increase the current 0.5% sales tax to 1% and is expected to generate over $7.8 million more annually.
The current measure, Measure T, is a 0.5% sales tax approved in 2008 and is expected to sunset in 2028. If approved, the new measure has sparked confusion if it would have an evergreen nature that could only be ended by another vote of the people.
Residents, however, expressed differing opinions on the proposed measure after local organizations warned voters that the sales tax increase has no sunset date that could continue indefinitely.
Moises Alonzo, a resident, said during the council meeting that politicians seek ways to convince residents to shoulder tax increases to alleviate financial difficulties whenever budget challenges arise,
“You can’t raise my taxes, but you can surely word it to make it sound like if I don’t pay we’re going to be in trouble,” he said.
Alonzo added that when prices go up on necessities, he doesn’t ask his employer for more money.
“In my house, I cut things out of the budget.”
Juana Avila, a resident, said the city should start reducing spending on “things that are luxury” while proposing La Habra establish its own fire department.
“We’re not going to get a raise to keep up with inflation so the same thing with you,” Avila said.
Meanwhile, Noah Daniels, a representative of the La Habra Police Association, expressed that the police department will be unable to maintain the accustomed level of services for residents if there is a lack of revenue.
“Don’t defund us,” he said. “Let us keep doing our jobs for you.”
The ruling in La Habra comes as various cities in the county, such as Orange, Buena Park, and Seal Beach, plan to raise their own sales taxes due to budget shortfalls.
This is a result of challenges faced by local officials in generating revenue to support public services. Additionally, there has been a substantial increase in the annual cost for the city to use Los Angeles County for fire services.
“Now, the next step is for all the La Habra to have their voices heard on voting day,” Mayor Daren Nigsarian said.
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