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Episode #4: March 26, 2009
Ventura’s Fiscal Flash is an electronic newsletter with the latest information from the City of Ventura as staff and the City Council work with the community to achieve fiscal balance in these tough economic times.

Citizen Committee Recommends November 2009 1/2-percent Sales Tax Ballot Measure

A Citizen Blue Ribbon Budget Committee voted yesterday evening to recommend that the Ventura City Council place a measure for a ½-percent sales tax increase on the November 2009 ballot, with the tax increase expiring in four years. The committee’s vote was 11-4; the recommendation will be formally presented to the City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 6.

The 15-member citizen committee held four community meetings during the month of March for the purpose of taking public testimony on the potential for a sales tax measure, and if it were to be approved by voters, how the funds should be spent. In a unanimous vote, the committee agreed to recommend that the funds be directed to the following service priorities: public safety, infrastructure, libraries, economic revitalization, and reserves. They also agreed to recommend that the Council would provide a yearly report on the use of the revenue from the increased sales tax.

The City Council appointed the volunteer members to open community dialogue about the suggested sales tax measure while it simultaneously considers a budget redesign plan that reduces City spending by $11.4M during the next two years. Last Monday, March 23, the Council approved $7.2M of the proposed cuts and will continue its deliberation process at its next regularly scheduled meeting Monday, March 30, at City Hall, 501 Poli Street. The community is welcome, and encouraged to attend to make public comment.

The members of the Citizen Blue Ribbon Budget Committee are Susan Cook (Chair), Michael W. Case (Vice Chair), Robert J. Alviani, Robert W. Berry, Thomas H. Crozier, Kathleen Diermier, Jill Fioravanti, Jim Friedman, Angie Hecht, Janie King, Edward J. Lacey, Robert L. McCord, Faye McDonald, Rosa Lee Measures, and Sandy Smith.

For more information, please contact City Clerk Mabi Covarrubias Plisky at 805-658-4787.

Resources:

• Read "Sales tax should go to voters, panel decides" Ventura County Star, March 26, 2009
• Read City Manager Rick Cole’s blog entry, "Sales tax: the solution?"
• View the $11.4M budget redesign spending reduction proposal in the March 16 City Council Administrative Report
• Review answers to the frequently asked budget questions (FAQs)

What you can do:

• Attend the March 30 City Council meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 501 Poli Street.
• Take our budget priorities survey.
• Log into My Ventura Access to share your suggestions with the City Council.
• To set up a meeting with a Council member for your community organization, neighborhood group or club to discuss Ventura's budget priorities, please call Anne Hallock at 805-658-4739 or e-mail ahallock@cityofventura.net.