The Coast News Group
Letters
Community CommentaryLettersOpinionOpinions

Letters: Measure K lacks guarantees on spending

In his opinion piece, William Sparks calls Measure K a “one-cent sales tax increase.” That would be true if you’re only spending one dollar. It is actually a one PERCENT tax increase. Big difference.

Further, he claims that it “will fund crucial infrastructure upgrades and public safety enhancements… like aging drains, bridges, and public facilities… efforts to keep pollutants out of our waterways and off our beaches, keep sand on our beaches, and protect the health of our community for future generations.”

Does that sound good to you? Me too, but it’s NOT TRUE!

Yes, we do have all those issues that need fixing (and more), and it will take money to do that. Measure K would generate funds, but there’s no stipulation that any of it must be used for those purposes.

The money would go into the General Fund and could be used for ANY purpose. Don’t take my word for it. Look at your own ballot. Read the phrase near the end of the measure: “…for general revenue purposes…”

Also, check the city attorney’s impartial analysis, which states: “The tax proposed by Measure K is a general tax. Revenues would be placed into the city’s general fund and could be used for any lawful municipal purpose.”

Gerry Rahill
Encinitas

1 comment

JB October 30, 2024 at 1:14 pm

Passing this sales tax increase would concede that we trust this or any future council with making good fiscal decisions. The current council has poured millions of dollars into vanity projects instead of long overdue infrastructure improvements. We also have pension debt and numerous outstanding loans, for projects like Streetscape and purchasing Surfer’s Point.

If this mayor was so sure that his infrastructure tax would pass, why didn’t he craft the language to say it is specifically for infrastructure? Possibly because he’d need a two thirds vote to get it passed, but more likely that he and his spendthrift council see dollar signs and have more special projects to spend tax payer dollars on.

Tony Kranz and future mayors and councils need to budget and live within their means instead of putting more burdens on local businesses, visitors and residents.

Leave a Comment