LAKEPORT >> The Lakeport City Council will discuss preparations at its regular meeting for a possible tax measure on this year’s ballot.
According to City Manager Margaret Silveira, the city needs to get into action on preparing for this initiative as the deadline for putting it on the ballot is Aug. 12 — a little more than four months away. However, the last scheduled council meeting before the deadline is Aug. 2, giving them less time to reach a decision.
“Based on this, there is a very short timeframe for community outreach and public education,” Silveira said, noting that most communities spend 12 to 18 months to prepare. “While it’s possible to develop and implement an effective program in the remaining few months, it will require a well-planned, focused and disciplined effort.”
In order to prepare for a decision, she said the city needs to contract a qualified public opinion research firm to survey residents on their feelings towards city operations and what kind of measures they would support. Additionally, a determination will be made on if a general (simple majority) or special purpose tax (two-thirds vote) is more likely to succeed.
If the city decides to continue with the study, Silveira’s staff report is targeting the middle of the month to have an awarded contract and to have the survey completed by May 17.
The results of it would be analyzed and a choice to move forward would be made based of the results. In lieu of positive results, the city would then conduct community outreach and public education.
This step includes aligning the measure to meet community desires, selecting the funding source, and developing key messages. The goal for the completion of this phase is July 31, just in time for the final decision of putting it on the ballot.
“Based on the experience of many cities and other local government agencies throughout the state, if the need is compelling and it is effectively communicated, revenue ballot measures can be successful,” Silveira said.
As for the tax measure, her staff report suggests the implementation of .25 percent sales tax, to replace the state sales tax increase that expires at the end of the year. If something like this were to be passed, then the city’s sales tax rate, according to her, would still remain at 8 percent.
“This would effectively allow that 0.25 percent to remain in Lakeport, as opposed to sending it to Sacramento,” she said. “Unlike other local jurisdictions, there has been little fiscal help from the state. The city must be self-sufficient and fiscally sustainable to maintain — and certainly enhance — its roads, parks, and public safety.”
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in Lakeport City Hall.
