SHOULD LA JOLLA BECOME ITS OWN CITY?

ECONOMISTS

YES

Some may be surprised La Jolla is not already its own city, which has been contemplated for many decades. La Jolla should have self-determination and responsibility, including recognizing all considerations of governing oneself (such as Del Mar). Although including some of the region’s highest property values, relatively little retail sales tax revenue exists within the area, an important source for municipal government funding. (La Jolla Village and UTC malls are not currently within existing boundaries.)

NO

Final judgment will need to wait until a formal proposal becomes available. However, it seems unlikely that a majority of voters in the city of San Diego would vote to approve the succession of a wealthy neighborhood like La Jolla. Concern that the city of San Diego’s fiscal condition will deteriorate with the loss of tax revenue will raise opposition to a succession proposal.

NO

To prosper as a region we need to share resources. If that means La Jolla subsidizes poorer parts of San Diego, so be it. Large existing disparities in housing, education and infrastructure would be even wider if wealthy neighborhoods secede to put their own wants first. That said, the threat of secession can be a useful tool to ensure La Jolla’s needs are not overlooked in the push for greater equity.

YES

John Locke was right on target in 1689: The core requirement for legitimate government is consent of the governed. If residents feel that the city is not serving their needs or is imposing unfair burdens on their community, they should not be forced to stay. Nevertheless, I will be saddened if it comes to this. I would prefer to see a spirit of compromise by city leaders to make every effort to serve the entire community.

YES

It seems that La Jolla is losing out to a policy of fiscal redistribution, so becoming an independent city would allow for more self-determination on local priorities. At the same time, it is likely to be more expensive to run independent police, fire and other services, so local tax increases are likely. Still, the benefit-to-cost ratio is net positive if it means better services and maintenance of La Jolla infrastructure.

EXECUTIVES NO

But it is certainly should be the residents’ option. Cities should regularly analyze their options of downsizing, or more importantly, merging to create cost savings in areas where size matters. Do we really need 18 cities in the county of San Diego?

YES

If La Jolla is giving San Diego more than it receives and desires to incorporate, then they should explore that option. Like other coastal cities including Del Mar, Encinitas and Carlsbad, La Jolla would be responsible for its own city government and infrastructure (including fire, water, law enforcement, community development and wastewater) among other city services. If the benefits outweigh the costs and they can get the support needed to self-govern, then it’s something they should pursue.

NO

There is virtually no chance the rest of the city of

San Diego will vote approval for La Jolla to secede even if a majority of La Jolla residents approved the formation of an independent city. But I can understand the frustration La Jolla residents have in not receiving direct value from their local taxes. Equity in both directions — local and citywide — should be considered by the city council when they spend tax money.

GETTY IMAGES There is a movement for La Jolla to become its own city, no longer just a neighborhood in San Diego, which could create economic and housing opportunities or problems. Leaders in the effort to secede say San Diego has ignored decaying infrastructure and shifted much of its funding away from La Jolla in favor of low-income areas. Organizers say some streetlights have been out for two years with no fix in sight and major streets are riddled with potholes. Leaders say taking expensive infrastructure improvements away from San Diego could be a help to the city as it can focus on other areas. It could also include some headaches for La Jolla. While it might avoid San Diego’s recent efforts to upzone single-family areas, it also likely will be on the hook for more low-income housing required by the state. As part of San Diego, much of the subsidized housing requirements are handled by building in downtown. Coastal cities, from Del Mar to Huntington Beach, have struggled to find places to put affordable housing. More of an issue for San Diego: Previous studies have shown it gets more tax revenue from La Jolla than it spends there.

Caroline Freund UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy

Kelly Cunningham San Diego Institute for Economic Research

Norm Miller University of San Diego

David Ely San Diego State University

James Hamilton UC San Diego

Jamie Moraga Franklin Revere

Chris Van Gorder Scripps Health

Phil Blair Manpower