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Uploaded: Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 7:42 AM
Updated: Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 10:39 AM
Tonight: Atherton tax renewal on agenda
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by Renee Batti
Almanac Staff
The City Council will consider hiring a consultant to help out with a likely effort to renew Atherton's parcel tax, and examine other potential revenue sources for the town when it meets on Wednesday, March 20.
The parcel tax will expire in June 2014, and the town is considering a renewal measure for the November 2013 ballot. With one exception, Atherton residents have supported the tax in the past, which must receive a two-thirds vote to pass.
Parcel tax revenue goes to police services (60 percent) and capital projects (40 percent). Tax revenue for this fiscal year is expected to come in at about $1.86 million, providing about $1.1 million to the police department and about $744,000 to public works projects, according to the staff report.
With a budget of nearly $5.5 million this fiscal year, the police department accounts for just over half of the town's $10.9 million budget
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City Manager George Rodericks said in his report that if the council chooses to ask voters to renew the parcel tax, it should consider hiring a consultant to help with public education and logistical support for putting the measure on the ballot. "Staff does not have the resources to conduct this sort of effort and it is important that public outreach and education from the town be consistent, clear, and objective," he wrote.
The council may also discuss other revenue-generating measures, such as a sales tax, increased business license tax, a utility users tax, and a real estate transfer tax, the report said.
Also on the agenda, the council will review a report on the financial ramifications of once again allowing the public to rent Holbrook-Palmer Park facilities for weddings.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 94 Ashfield Road in the Town Center.
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Posted by No taxes, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Mar 19, 2013 at 8:28 am Just last week the council was informed that there was a big revenue increase and that the town was more than 1.5M ahead and a conservative 5 yr plan indicated this was to continue. Additionally an audit of property tax allocation is underway with more revenue expected from that.
So why does the town need this? More raises? To pay for an unused city mgr house while giving a city manager 2500 more per month so he can live in Marin?
Don't waste our tax dollars, please!
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Posted by Answer, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Mar 19, 2013 at 8:42 am To give raises to the police department, of course. What made you think any type of surplus would be to give the taxpayers a break?
Anyway, I believe the "surplus" and the timing of it, is suspicious anyway. Too close to the police contract negotiations.
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Posted by Really?, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Mar 19, 2013 at 12:49 pm A conspiracy huh? Yeah, that's the obvious answer. Thats what must be going on. Would you rather your government play games and hide information? Jeez.
How about they use the extra funds to build a safety net reserve? What about paying off any debts? Perhaps they can use the money for that. That wouldn't be a waste of tax dollars.
How about you guys make some positive and constructive suggestions rather than criticisms and tearing down people and making speculative comments based on hearsay and incorrect facts?
Guess that's too much to hope for.
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Posted by ptw, a resident of the Portola Valley: other neighborhood, on Mar 19, 2013 at 2:02 pm I'd like to get a job as a consultant...seems like there is always a need for them!
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