Measure W to extend utility tax, city services
BRAWLEY — Measure W, on November’s ballot, will ask voters whether to extend the utility user tax in order to pay for a broad array of services residents have become acclimated to.
While playing dominoes at a bench outside the city library, Jesse Altamirano stated he supports the measure.
“It’s for the whole community, that’s the way it should be,” said Altamirano, a retired deputy of the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office. “You pay a little more, but you get better services in the long run.”
The city first adopted the tax in 1991, imposing a 5 percent tax for 1 year and 3 percent for a second year with no sunset. This action was taken in response to the state’s diversion of revenues from local agencies to state purposes, explained City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore.
Similar to many cities, Brawley relied on sales and property taxes as substantial sources of income for the general fund to support municipal services. Since the last utility user tax (UUT) extension, the state again redirected property tax revenues to its treasury when it dissolved the redevelopment agency in 2011.
In 1996, UUT was reduced from 5 to 4 percent. Ballot measures approved by voters retained the UUT at 4 percent over the years, and the current UUT expires May 31.
According to data supplied by Bayon Moore, the services component of the general fund is just 15.6 percent. But if Measure W is defeated, a contingency plan will be implemented and it could mean 23 fewer city employees. Staff reduction would come from the police and fire departments, parks and recreation, the library, Community Development Services and finance and administration.
It will also mean the closure of Fire Station No. 2, the Senior Center and the Del Rio Branch Library, as well as a transition of “parks and rec” offerings to a fee for service programs.
“You have to spend money, that’s what taxes are for,” said Altamirano. “We pay our taxes to help other people. Everybody benefits … the elementary schools, the high schools and the community-at-large.”
Juan Chavez, a retired pipe installation technician, double checked a billing before he mailed at the post office. He bemoaned, the city makes the cost of water and other utilities go up, but residents do not see anything more. He recalled that there were previously more lights and shrubbery along the plaza. Additionally, the roads currently need repairs and what roadwork is done is often completed in a makeshift manner.
“As soon as it rains, the roads are bad again,” he said. “I’m sure lots of people are upset, we expect better.”
Also at the post office was resident David Griggs, who supports the UUT. “Measure W will keep jobs here,” he said. “But a lot of people think this is a new tax. It’s actually an extension of an existing tax.”
Eric Reyes is supporting Measure W since every city has some form of a user’s tax. “It works out to about $15 per month for each household,” he said. “Every city has an obligation to do the best for its citizens. Measure W is a way to take care of youth, safety personnel and senior citizens.”