Some city leaders in Sacramento County are questioning the need for a sales tax hike to fight gangs that was proposed by Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson in May.
The proposed tax "asks our citizens to foot a bill that's not going to their city," said Citrus Heights City Councilman Jeff Slowey, echoing comments from officials in Folsom, Rancho Cordova and Elk Grove.
Concerns also were raised that the measure would hurt local economies by driving shoppers to nearby counties to take advantage of lower sales taxes.
Folsom City Councilman Andy Morin said that with the city having to cut services and positions due to a drop in tax revenue this year, anything that might further affect its tax base should be treated with caution.
Sacramento County's sales tax already is at 7.75 percent, he said. "Throw in another quarter, and we're at 8 (percent). When you're buying a boat, car or RV, it's enough of a difference that you might think to save a few hundred bucks (and shop elsewhere)."
Placer, El Dorado and Yolo counties have a sales tax rate of 7.25 percent. San Joaquin County's rate is 7.75 percent.
Besides, a number of officials said, police departments in their cities are keeping gang populations in check.
Slowey said that while Citrus Heights is not immune to gang violence, since starting its own police department in 2006 the city has kept its gang problem in check.
"We've managed our money better than they have," he said.
Dickinson countered that such arguments are shortsighted. Outlying cities may not have severe gang problems yet, he said, but no one knows what the future might hold.
"Youth and gang violence doesn't respect any political boundaries," he said. "Today what might be perceived as a North Highlands, or Del Paso Heights or Carmichael problem could tomorrow easily be in Citrus Heights. … This is a serious problem on a countywide basis that needs to be addressed on a countywide basis."
On July 22, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will vote on whether to place the tax increase on the ballot, said Dickinson.
If passed by two-thirds of the county's voters, the measure would raise about $50 million annually to combat gangs and prevent young people from joining them, Dickinson said.
Half would return to local governments on a percentage basis, based on what they put in, according to Dickinson's plan. The other half would be disbursed to other anti-gang programs by a countywide board of elected officials.
Folsom accounts for about 10 percent of the county's total sales tax, Elk Grove 9 percent, Citrus Heights about 6 percent and Rancho Cordova 5 percent, according to figures presented by Dickinson.
Rancho Cordova City Councilman David Sander said all the ballot measure would do is create another bureaucracy, which "is not the best use of tax dollars."
Elk Grove City Councilman Michael Leary echoed Morin's concern about losing sales tax revenue, noting his city's relative proximity to San Joaquin County.
Besides, said Leary, a 25-year veteran of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, "we're already doing our job" with keeping Elk Grove gangs in check.
"I can't lend my support to this (tax increase)," Leary said. "I think we're doing a good job in our community in maintaining a level of security."
Call The Bee's Stan Oklobdzija, (916) 608-7453.
