Lindsay can move forward — slowly

Few people turned out for the special election in Lindsay when the only thing on the ballot was a 1 percent hike in the local sales tax to help the city with its finances, but enough of that few voted in favor of the measure to have it pass.

Lindsay was asking for the increase after declaring a financial emergency as money had run in the red in that city which has been struggling financially for a few years.

The victory, while overwhelming by percent standards — it passed with more than 66 percent approval — is not so overwhelming when you consider fewer than 600 of the city’s 2,789 registered voters bothered to vote. Less than 14 percent of the registered voters favored the measure.

While we are pleased the measure passed because the added revenue is needed, we urge the city council move cautiously as it plans on how to spend the money. Emotions are still high following the debacle of the city manager Scott Townsend years which led to the need for the election. There are many needs in Lindsay and while the city won’t see any of that money until January, the council will begin a plan on how to use the infusion of cash.

The council does not to prioritize how it plans to use the money and be as transparent as it can be, which we expect. The money should first get the city out of any debt, then be designated for public safety first. We certainly urge the council to be very restrained on how it plans to spend the money and if so, over time, those emotions left over from the Townsend years will go away.

As City Manager Bill Zigler told The Recorder, “At least, we now have a future.” We agree and wish the city good success.

Editorials in The Porterville Recorder are the opinion of the editorial board which consists of Publisher Rick Elkins and the managing editor. Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily of The Recorder.