4d) Discussion and Possible Action Including Direction to Staff Regarding a Possible Sales Tax Ordinance to Be Submitted to the Voters
(Sponsors: County Counsel and Executive Office)
Increasing sales tax affects all residents, even those who already are paying their fair share in property taxes. Additional sales tax is not a solution to the county's budget woes. Our focus needs to be on updating the property tax rolls so all landowners in the county are paying their fair share. As confirmed by the County Assessor in a recent BOS meeting, 10% of all properties in the county are underassessed. This translates to a potential of an estimated 15 million dollars that the county is not collecting ANNUALLY. This should be our primary focus for a permanent solution to our budget crisis. An increase in sales tax should be a last resort.
Board of Supervisors,
Increasing sales tax affects all residents, even those who already are paying their fair share in property taxes. Additional sales tax is not a solution to the county's budget woes. Our focus needs to be on updating the property tax rolls so all landowners in the county are paying their fair share. As confirmed by the County Assessor in a recent BOS meeting, 10% of all properties in the county are underassessed. This translates to a potential of an estimated 15 million dollars that the county is not collecting ANNUALLY. This should be our primary focus for a permanent solution to our budget crisis. An increase in sales tax should be a last resort.