Pacificans Quash Fire Suppression Assessment Tax, City Eyes Layoffs

Pacifica residents voted down a l today with 63 percent against it and 37 percent for it, said City Clerk Kathy O’Connell at 6p.m.

Pacifica Mayor Mary Ann Nihart said that in the face of this vote the city is going to consider laying off employees.

She indicated that the city would take a look at some of the layoffs it was considering last budget year. Documents from last year's budget study sessions show that one of those options may be relinquishing Pacifica City Attorney Cecelia Quick of her duties.

"I have no idea," said City Manager Stephen Rhodes when asked about the layoffs. "But there is probably not much else to do. It depends on how much people think needs to be cut."

If Quick is to lose her job, Pacifica would contract out its legal services at an hourly rate for a projected savings. The city would incur another cost in letting its attorney go, however: her severance package, which pans out to about $120,000. 

More details about what or whom the city will cut in the near future will come at tomorrow night's city council budget study session and at Thursday's Financing City Services Task Force meeting. 

"Everything is on the table" Nihart said. 

Councilman Len Stone saw the writing on the wall when it comes to tax measures in Pacifica, however. 

"I think it's a statement that [Pacificans] don't want any more to come out of their pockets," he said. "We can hopefully start to get active now in developing our local economy and not just rely on assessments and taxes."

Rhodes agreed.

"I guess it's disappointing, but I understand," he said. "People can't afford it or didn't find it [the tax] justified right now. We have our marching orders."

Stay tuned to Pacifica Patch for updates.