INITIATIVE SEEKS TO UP SALES TAX IN ESCONDIDO

Signatures being sought for item on ballot in November

A coalition led by Escondido police, firefighters and labor leaders has submitted a petition to collect signatures for a measure on the November ballot that, if approved, would increase the city’s sales tax by 1 percent.

The citizens initiative proponents will have 180 days to collect the signatures of 7,748 registered voters needed to qualify for the ballot. If approved by a majority of voters, the measure would raise the sales tax in Escondido to 8.75 percent for the next 20 years.

Revenue from the increase would be used to address homelessness, repair and maintain streets, sidewalks, parks and other facilities, to expand police and fire services and to improve emergency response times, proponents said.

Former Escondido Fire Department

Deputy Chief J. Neil Hobbs, Escondido Chamber of Commerce board Chair Deanna Smith and Rich Aeling, a leader in various local civic and charitable organizations, are the official proponents of the measure.

“Escondido is facing a financial crisis,” the proponents said in their official statement of intent to circulate the petition filed Jan. 9. “Revenue has not been able to keep pace with the growing costs of providing services.”

In addition to providing more money for basic city services, the petition states, passage of the ballot measure would “allow for continued emergency response capabilities — giving us enough police, firefighters, dispatchers, and paramedics to respond quickly to emergencies and proactively protect public safety.”

Escondido’s existing 7.75 percent rate is the lowest in San Diego County. It includes the state rate of 7.25 percent, plus the halfcent Transnet surcharge that county voters approved to pay for transportation projects.

Escondido voters defeated a