EDITORIAL

Chamber Wrong in Rush to Support Tax Increase

We do not understand the action by the Board of Directors of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce when it rushed to support a half-cent increase in the sales tax to be imposed on Culver City residents.

The city has not even voted as of yet to place the tax increase on the ballot in November.

The chamber urged the city to undertake an economic growth strategy. We believe this strategy and corresponding reductions in city expenses should happen before, not after the raising of taxes.

Residents voted in April to increase the “bed tax” on visitors staying in Culver City hotels and motels. We were told this tax increase would raise an additional $500,000 for city coffers. It seems now the insatiable appetite of government says it is not enough.

The chamber also recommended a review and increase in city fees, including the elimination of free parking in the downtown parking structures, more parking meters, and an increase in rental fees on city facilities.

Last year’s “street-scape” along Sepulveda Blvd near Culver Blvd. resulted in the removal of the parking meters. Those meters have yet to be reinstalled. This along with the headless poles along Washington Blvd which are supposed to have meters atop of them is not only costing the city valuable meter revenue, it also clogs up the limited street parking with store employees who park there all day, thereby denying customers the opportunity to park and shop.

When asked about the meters the city said they were on order.

The street-scape” plan along Sepulveda was no surprise. As a matter of fact it was authorized by council in 2001, 10 years ago. These meters should have been ready and waiting when construction was finished last year.

The city has patted itself on the back by moving redevelopment employees into open positions throughout the city. Maybe some of these positions should have been left vacant. To be sure we understand some of the positions had to be filled. Most private businesses have employees doing double and triple duty during the recession.

Businesses and the taxes they pay is the engine of economic growth. We have given our all. There is no more to take. The council should look harder for savings before putting this tax increase on the ballot.

The chamber of commerce has done wonderful things in support of the business community, which has benefited the entire city. We believe it erred in rushing to support the raising of sales taxes on Culver City residents and businesses.

Culver City residents have always been generous in voting to raise taxes to support schools and the quality of life we have.

We believe they should not be taken advantage of.

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