Taxpayers, Read This! Pinole Utility User's Tax

In case you haven’t heard, the current economic crisis has greatly reduced revenues to the City of Pinole’s general fund. The general fund is used to pay for most of the services provided by the city to the residents and taxpayers of Pinole.

The city has cut spending drastically to stay afloat financially. With these spending cuts, reductions in services, programs, employee compensation and staff has not stopped the decreasing revenue spiral facing our city. These cuts have already reduced services in all departments, including Public Safety and Public Works, the most essential services the city provides.

Further reductions in General Fund revenues will mean further cuts in services.

As a Pinole resident and/or taxpayer, you do have the right to let the city council know how you want your tax dollars spent. You can come to City Council meetings and voice your opinions during the “Citizens to be Heard” portion of the meeting, or write to the council members, or email them. If you don’t tell them, then they won’t know what you want.

As a Voter, citizen and/or taxpayer, let me remind you that the “Brown Act” says words to the effect that citizens shall retain control over the instruments they have created. In this case the instruments referred to are the councils, commissions, committees and agencies created to carry out the citizens’ business.

As a Citizen, retain control of our local government. Push the control buttons, levers and pedals because if we don’t, our city will remain on auto pilot, which is controlled by the council.

Citizens, we’re in a spin, take the controls and bring us out.

• The buttons are our opinions we voice.
• The levers are our votes and support, or non-support for revenue measures and laws.
• The pedals are our votes and support, or non-support, for council members and other elected officials.
• Clean the windshield so you can keep an eye on what our elected officials are doing and stay informed.

I have never liked taxation, but I realize sometimes it has to be. If I feel I should support a tax, I just want the funds to be spent wisely.

The current Utility User’s Tax, or UUT, is up for renewal by the voters. It’s not a tax increase, but rather a continuation of a tax that utility users already pay. If the tax is not renewed, what’s left of our services will be severely impacted again. If the tax is renewed, then that revenue continues to go into our general fund for services and expenses. With this continued revenue, if the tax is renewed, I want the city to try to maintain essential services.

Pay attention, stay informed.

Voice your opinion, email and write your council members and speak at council meetings.

Vote sensibly, retain control.

Spread the word, talk to or inform your friends, relatives and neighbors.

Remember, if the UUT does not pass, then that could place YOUR SAFETY AT RISK.

Sincerely,

Allen Dorsey

yoursafetyatrisk@hotmail.com