OPINION: Parcel Tax Helps Pay for Piedmont Services
Cuts Would Affect City’s Quality of Life-
Dear Editor,
I am working with Piedmont friends and neighbors to inform voters why it is important to renew the existing parcel tax with no increase in order to maintain existing services.
Parcel tax revenues help pay for Piedmont’s police, fire, paramedics, park maintenance, street and sidewalk maintenance and other city services and amenities.
People often wonder what would be cut if the parcel tax is not renewed. Any proposed cuts could significantly affect the quality of life in Piedmont. For example, Piedmont has the lowest rate of violent crime of any city in Alameda County, even though we are entirely surrounded by the city with the highest crime rate in Alameda County.
The 2011 Municipal Tax Review Committee (MTRC) report stated: Parcel tax revenue has become an essential component of the City’s fiscal picture. Therefore, it is essential to renew the existing parcel tax at its current level before it expires on June 30, 2013. The Budget Advisory Committee reached the same conclusion: …If the parcel tax renewal measure on the November 2012 ballot fails to achieve a 2/3 majority, the Council will need to continue to place parcel tax measures before the voters or face the unpleasant prospect of having to make unprecedented cuts in programs….
A vote for the parcel tax will help maintain high-quality municipal services and help preserve our investment in Piedmont.
Vote Yes on Y on November 6.
Conna McCarthy Craigie, Piedmont resident
Editors’ Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Piedmont Civic Association. The Piedmont Civic Association does not support or oppose candidates or ballot measures.
City Council has received no projections from staff about potential service cuts should Measure Y fail to pass. Reserves in equipment, facilities, and capital improvement funds would most certainly be used to prevent cuts to public safety services.
Conna uses MTRC quotes as to why the Parcel Tax is needed. A complete picture would include the ballot arguments opposing Measure Y signed by a majority of the MTRC.