One of the tricks that tax-and-spend politicians like to use when they want to raise taxes rather than, say, provide public services more efficiently is to send out a community survey asking residents about their preferences. This way, when a city puts a tax-raising measure on the ballot council members can say, “We’re just asking the People what they want.”
The latest Orange County city to take this cynical approach is Laguna Beach. The council voted unanimously last month to survey residents about what services they’d like to see improved – and also about various tax-increase proposals. The city is not in serious trouble yet, but officials are concerned about the trajectory.
A staff report called for asking residents about programs such as building affordable housing or artist lofts, about its downtown plan and other community programs. But that’s window dressing. Its revenue proposals include increasing sales taxes, businesses taxes, parcel taxes and transient-occupancy taxes imposed on tourists.
We always roll our eyes at residents who live in premier beachside communities and then complain about tourist-related costs. The city has a relatively low property tax take – mainly because there’s less turnover in properties so fewer homes are reassessed to market rates. But its home prices average around $3 million, so the take on each property makes up for the lower rate. Its sales tax rate is an adequate 7.75 percent.
Related Articles
University chaos is the direct consequence of prioritizing collectivism and identity politics
Los Angeles zoning police know how to kill a party
President Biden doesn’t know how to make government work
Recounting the votes shouldn’t be so expensive
Larry Wilson: Opening a window to more Pasadena al fresco dining
Local activist John Thomas, writing in the Laguna Beach Independent, echoed the city’s logic by calling for the consideration of higher business-license fees, more pay parking and/or raising the hotel tax.
“Alternatives would be to either raise taxes on residents, lower the level of city services provided by the city government or borrow a lot of money,” he added.
There are actually other alternatives: privatizing services, reducing the cost structure, taking a harder line with public-employee unions and reducing spending on superfluous projects. But city officials like to spend money.
When they face a crunch, they hit up taxpayers. It’s the same, tired approach that isn’t easier to take when they ask residents first.
Leave a Reply