SAN DIEGO — San Diegans could soon see some of their taxes going up.
Two measures advance
Two new proposed tax measures, one of which would increase the City of San Diego's sales tax, are now advancing to the City Council, after receiving unanimous support from the council's Rules Committee.
Property tax increase
The other proposed measure would hike property taxes, creating a special flood prevention fund for San Diego: a fund that would benefit communities like Southcrest and Mountain View, which were so hard-hit by January's flooding.
Still, some residents there are not on board with this move.
"It's a hard no," said San Diegan Richard Allwang, who's helping friends recover after their home was devastated by the January 22 flood.
He said the city should not hike taxes for something that he he said was the city's responsibility to begin with.
"I like the thought of being able to raise a fund that would keep this from happening again. but increasing taxes on homeowners, and homeowners who'd be affected in this same area where they own these homes. I don't think it's okay," Allwang added.
This flood prevention measure would be a parcel tax of seven cents per square foot, averaging between $18 and $19 a month for single-family properties and raising an estimated $130 million a year.
City leaders have said that they plan to exempt low-income senior citizens from this parcel tax. Also, parcels that are already exempt like churches and schools would not have to pay this additional tax.
While this would normally require an approval rate of two-thirds of voters, a new statewide measure on this fall's ballot could lower that threshold to only 55%, making it easier to pass.
"It's something that has to happen now," said San Diegan Salvador Atena. whose parents' home was flooded. He is urging the passage of this new tax.
"We need to take care of this as of now," he added. "Not be reactive, but pro-active."
Sales tax increase
Also moving forward: a proposed one-cent per dollar increase to San Diego's city sales tax, which would bump it up from the current 7.75% to 8.75%, providing an additional $400 million a year for everything from police and fire services to parks, libraries and infrastructure.
"All of our communities are asking for more paved roads, for better sidewalks, street lights," said San Diego City Council Member Raul Campillo. "Everything that goes with having a safe and clean neighborhood, and this is the way we get that done."
This sales tax measure would just require a simple majority in order to pass.
While early polling indicates that it would likely receive that, not everyone is in favor.
"Taxes are already too high in California," Allwang said. "It is ridiculous. Things keep going up, it's getting tougher and tougher, everyone's struggling. It is hard."
These two proposed measures now move on to the full City Council for a vote later this summer. If approved there, it will ultimately be up to the voters to decide on the November ballot.
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