CHOWCHILLA - In response to a strong demand by the community, the Chowchilla City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to place a 1 percent public safety sales tax measure before its voters this November. This measure is in response to concerns raised by the public during a recent survey that, while a majority of Chowchilla residents say they feel save in the City, there is a widespread perception that crime is increasing.
Sixty-one percent of the public stated in the survey that residents are safe in Chowchilla, but 80 percent say that crime in the City is on the rise. Additionally, gangs and drugs rank among the City’s most serious problems. The Public Safety Transaction and Use Tax will be dedicated solely for the needs of the Police and Fire Departments.
All proceeds from this tax measure will reflect the spending priorities stated by the public to protect the community. These priorities include maintaining drug and gang enforcement and prevention services, emergency response times, and requiring all funds be used locally. Approximately nine in ten voters view maintaining emergency response times, drug and gang enforcement, and preventing staffing losses to police and fire as “very important.” Requiring that all funds be used locally was also seen as a top priority.
Three-quarters of the public expressed in the survey a need for additional funding in the City. Seventy-four percent of respondents said there were at least “some need” for additional funds for City services and thirty-six percent say there is a “great need” for funding.
Additionally, three-quarters expressed support for a potential local 2/3s requirement vote public safety service measure. Survey respondents were presented with a hypothetical public safety service measure providing for fire and public safety services. The proposed measure would generate $1.3 million annually through a one percent local sales tax. Specifically, seventy six percent indicated they would vote “yes” on the measure, above the two-thirds measure.
The tax measure will address the priorities identified by the public by providing for recruitment and retention of additional officers, drug and gang interdiction and prevention, programs to steer youth away from gangs and drugs, equipment for police and firefighters, and more.
Mayor Dennis Haworth stated, “I was pleased to see at the Council meeting the level of support by the community in support of this measure. We heard from the County Sheriff, Chowchilla District Chamber of Commerce, Chowchilla Police Officers Association, a Chowchilla firefighter who also runs a local business, the President of the Greenhills Homeowners Association, and numerous local citizens. They see this 1% sales tax as an investment in their community; in their quality of life. “
Mayor Haworth also noted, “My Council was emphatic that this tax have a sunset date on it, that there be a citizens oversight committee that stands between taxpayers and government in making priority recommendations for expenditures, and that all funds be kept local. We don’t like taxes in Chowchilla, so if we are going to support one, it better be for a good cause like public safety and that our money stays here in Chowchilla.”
City Administrator Haddix expressed his appreciation to the public for stating that they hold a very positive view of city government and strongly support their police and fire chiefs. “This trust is important to us,” stated Haddix, “and you can rest assured that tax dollars will only be spent on the programs that the public has identified for strengthening and enhancing our public safety network.”
