San Jose Sales Tax Would Rise To 9 Percent If Measure B Passes

SAN JOSE - San Jose voters will have the opportunity to vote on a quarter-cent sales tax on June 7 that would help fund city services, but opponents say there's no guarantee the money will be spent as intended.

Measure B would impose a quarter-cent sales tax on general sales that would provide the city with $40 million annually for 15 years if passed by a majority vote.

The ballot measure would help fund police and fire services, repair streets and expand efforts to prevent gang activity, among other actions.

Mayor Sam Liccardo supports the measure along with the city's police and fire unions and many elected Santa Clara County and state leaders.

Proponents have argued that the measure would help the city employ more officers to the force, which has seen many employees leave over a controversial pension reform measure passed nearly four years ago.

Supporters said the city is in need of fixing its more than 550 miles of streets and roads, and every $1 spent in that fashion now will save $5 later. The measure has also been endorsed by the City Council except for members Johnny Khamis and Pierluigi Oliveiro, who voted in March against placing the proposed tax on the ballot.

Opponents of the measure have argued that the new tax shows the city's current budget doesn't prioritize essential services such as road repairs and police and fire services.

Steep sales taxes have led people to shop online instead, which in turn slows down revenue for small businesses and local jobs, according to opponents.

There's no sure way to know if the tax will actually be spent on the core city services because the City Council can choose to spend the money on programs such as the city's new Office of Immigration Affairs.

In an impartial analysis on the measure, City Attorney Rick Doyle said the money could be spent on "any governmental purpose" and if passed could keep the city's finances on steady ground in the long term.

If the measure is approved, the city's sales tax rate would rise to 9 percent, which includes other taxes collected by the state, county and various public agencies, according to Doyle.

An independent citizen oversight committee would be formed by the City Council to check how the money is spent along with be annual financial audits and reports on revenues from the tax, Doyle said.

-Bay City News, image via ShutterStock