“If we don’t get it, then we know that another entity is going to get it; County, Metro, they are all looking to this as well. So, now is the time.” Mayor Dan O’Brien noted that holding a special election to raise the Culver City sales tax by a quarter of a cent was a time sensitive issue. Putting the City forward with the request in August would allow for a needed revenue boost. Knowing that both Los Angeles County and Metro Transit were considering the same move – and that all of them could not succeed at the same time.
The city had sent out a survey last month of see if residents would be in favor of the minor tax boost, and got positive results. Historically, Culver City always agrees to raise taxes – there hasn’t been a ballot measure for a tax increase or a parcel tax that failed in almost two decades.
Vice May Freddy Puza also noted that “a sales tax is a regressive tax, and it’s going to hurt the people with the least income the most.”
With so much of the General Fund Revenue based on sales tax, it’s also the most efficient way to fill the coffers,
The measure passed with a unanimous vote, all council members in favor. Look for a ballot scheduled for August.
Judith Martin-Straw
