Council approves sales tax measure for Nov. ballot

Over a dozen local residents gathered at the Porterville City Council meeting Tuesday evening to listen and express opinions about the proposed tax measure for the November ballot.

Edith Lavonne, a Porterville resident, was first to step up to the microphone once the public hearing session was open.

“My priorities are a little bit different,” she stated referring to the results of a city survey. “Our streets are tragically falling apart.”

She was not alone in her opinion that the roads should be the city’s top priority when spending money.

“The priorities are wrong,” Brock Neely, a Porterville local said. “Some of our streets have gone so long that now the road bed has been damaged.”

Neely also suggested that the tax measure be put up for re-evaluation in five years.

John Coffee, anoth- er resident of Porterville, agreed with both Neely and Lavonne. “The number one priority of spending on this measure should be the streets,” explained Coffee.

The last speaker for the evening’s public hearing was Daniel Penaloza.

“I’ve been knocking on some doors in District 1 and there is a lot of concern with the streetlights and a lot of the streets including Tomah, Putnam, Prospect and Morton,” informed Penaloza. “There is a significant amount of interest and need for maintenance.”

After hearing the public concerns regarding priority spending areas, the City Council responded.

“We have to maintain our police officers so we can keep the crime down and fix the roads at the same time,” stated Mayor Milt Stowe. “But we are going to have to do the roads gradually and I think it is essential that we have the police officers and fire department involved in this and getting their portion as well.”

The rest of the Council seemed to be in agreement with the Mayor, as most of the remaining members emphasized the need for funds allocated towards public safety.

When it went to a vote for approval, the measure passed with a 4 - 1 vote, with Vice Mayor Brian Ward representing the lone dissenting vote.

All twelve items on the consent calendar were approved. These items included purchasing one new police vehicle, approval for the 18th annual Health Fair and approval for the 20th year ribbon cutting ceremony for the Relay For Life.

The second reading of the shopping cart ordinance was approved, putting the ordinance to print. After 30 days, the ordinance will begin to be enforced.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for August 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Porterville City Hall.