City Manager To Prepare Ordinance For Utility User's Tax Modernization

Editor's note: The following article is a press release submitted by the City of Pacifica

At last night's meeting, the Pacifica City Council reviewed the results of a poll of local voters assessing their support for a potential ballot measure to modernize the City's existing Utility User's Tax (UUT) ordinance — without increasing the current of 6.5 percent.

The measure could provide local funding for City services, including fire protection and 911 emergency services; police protection; senior citizen services and Meals on Wheels for seniors; and street and sidewalk maintenance, including pothole repair.

The Council unanimously gave the City Manager direction to prepare an ordinance for the UUT modernization fro review at its July 8 meeting.

"This measure would provide our City with the funds needed to protect quality services for local residents, including public safety, senior services and street repair," said Mayor Len Stone. "These are priorities for our community that must be addressed for the long term."

As Councilmembers discussed, the measure would continue the existing senior citizen exemption and cap for businesses, and include independent citizens' oversight, mandatory fiscal audits and yearly reports to the community to ensure the funds will be spend as promised. All funds would stay in Pacifica and could not be taken away by the state, providing greater local control to protect city services.

Nearly a dozen residents spoke in favor of the Council moving forward with the measure.

"Senior services and the Meals on Wheels program for seniors are essential local programs that this measure will help protect," said Pacifica resident Ginny Jaquith. "It will also continue the senior citizen exemption, for those on fixed incomes, which is important for older residents in our community."

Susan Manheimer drew applause when she spoke as a longtime Pacifica resident, though many know her as the City of San Mateo's police chief. She said, "Pacifica is one of the top 100 safest cities in the U.S. due to local police and fire protection, and after school programs for youth — especially at-risk youth."

She supported the Council moving forward to protect these services for the continue safety of Pacifica residents.

Local community member Matt Levie, who has volunteered to lead a campaign to help pass the measure, said "Pacificans always step up to support and protect the things they love about this community, and our community is already coming together on this. We have a group of dedicated volunteers ready to run a grassroots campaign to support the measure and protect the services that make Pacifica a great place to live."

The City Council will discuss and vote whether or not to place this measure on the Nov. 5 2013 ballot on July 8 at 7 p.m. City Council meetings are held at 2212 Beach Boulevard in Pacifica.