Opinion: Measure K ‘endorsement’ details warnings for Encinitas voters

By Robert Smith

Encinitas proposes an additional 1% sales tax increase (Measure K) to go before voters in November. The city claims it needs the additional money for unaddressed basics, citing a laundry list of possible uses.

To bolster support, the city is hyping a supposed endorsement from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA).

But the endorsement’s fine print under “Findings” contains a laundry list of serious concerns, one of which does not support the tax.

Chief among these is SDCTA’s warning that “While the City has promised that the money would go to various projects in its ballot question, not including how the money will be allocated raises a lot of concerns.”

We should be concerned, given the city’s track record of shifting tax money away from promised uses; for example, the $20M loan intended for Leucadia flooding and Streetscape that was instead viewed by the council as “flexible, to be used for other projects.”

SDCTA worries about the lack of performance metrics that omit a clear plan for which projects will be completed first. This makes it harder to track performance and account for where the money is really being spent.

Regarding the city’s much-touted “oversight committee,” SDCTA notes that there is no mention of the makeup of committee members and no required taxpayer representation. They caution that this “poses a problem” regarding accountability.

SDCTA points out that raising the rate to 8.75% would “make it one of the highest rates in the County and can have numerous negative consequences.” The increase would “disproportionately affect lower-income residents at a time of increased household expenses,” driven in part by rising inflation.

While SDCTA acknowledges that if the city uses the money responsibly, it could benefit Encinitas, the only real benefit would be to a council desperate to cover up its mismanagement of the city’s finances.

Residents have not benefited from the 1.2 billion dollars the city has spent over the past ten years. We still have potholes, substandard infrastructure, extreme flooding, inadequate fire protection in Olivenhain, and public safety concerns.

Concluding by listing names in support and opposition, SDCTA oddly shows a longer list of names in support than in opposition. For those in opposition, they substituted the actual ballot signers with unknown resident names that carry much less weight. Missing from the opposing list is a former president of the Encinitas Taxpayers Association and a former Planning Commissioner, among others.

This “endorsement” should convince voters not to support any tax increase. The SDCTA recognized the many flaws in Measure K, and voters should, too.

Vote No on Measure K: no more blank checks or bailouts for a council that has proven its inability to responsibly handle money.

Robert Smith
Encinitas