A number of items before answering your editorial. Thank you for having news about Culver City issues such as council meetings, school board meetings, etc on your front page as well as printing relevant press releases and letters to the editor.
Now after praising you let me tell you why!
The Culver City Chamber has prided itself on being a leader and not a follower on issues that affect the local business community. Effective February 1, 2012 the State of California’s planned dismantling of all local redevelopment agencies took effect depriving local funding for a mired of local programs. The half-cent sales tax proposal is meant to fill in the gap of funding loss from the RDA only.
In our press release we just gave a few of the fee enhancements that the city should implement sooner than later. It is obvious to our board, which is made up approximately 50% local residents that own their own local businesses that a vibrant local economy adds to the positive lifestyle most of our citizens have living in Culver City. An important part of the lifestyle is the assurance of continued economic viability.
The Culver City Chamber over its 90 years of service to Culver City has supported our local schools and local city finance issues to insure the continued success of Culver City. It is easy to be a follower and not ask questions, we have chosen a road of being leaders not only to business, but also for the entire community. That is why the board of directors is supporting a half-cent sales tax with a five-year sunset to allow a fiscally responsible city council and city staff to arrange for a continuing tax stream to insure Culver City’s future as much as possible.
One of the unknown concerns that we do have is that Sacramento attacks local funding to benefit Sacramento at the loss of local control. We are aware that sales tax is a very volatile tax depending on our economy. Culver City is currently receiving approximately 20% of its revenues from sales tax, when the additional half-percent goes into effect that will bring it closer to 30%.
We want to make our concerns clear that the city needs to be aware of building an economic base on a one legged stool is not an appropriate manner of planning on a balanced revenue stream. We need to work together to insure that all taxes and fees are paid as well as to close loopholes in our codes and policies that do spread the burden of government to a broader business base.
Steven J. Rose
President
Culver City Chamber of Commerce
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