This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/or/ for current information. |
League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
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Measure C Increase Business License Tax City of Brea 6467 / 40.5% Yes votes ...... 9520 / 59.5% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Measures |
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Information shown below: Impartial Analysis | Arguments | | ||||
Shall the City Of Brea increase business taxes as outlined in this measure?
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Arguments For Measure C | Arguments Against Measure C |
The business license tax that businesses pay the City of Brea has remained
unchanged since 1976 (28 years!) while the cost of providing city services
such as police and fire protection and street maintenance has risen
dramatically. When compared to other cities in Orange and neighboring
counties Brea's current fees are nearly the lowest. We all know costs go up
over time, but in this case, businesses in Brea have not been paying their
fair share, while residents have been asked to pay higher fees for services.
The City Council has proposed that the business license tax should be
increased from $30 per year to $70 for small businesses. That amounts to
only $40 or less per year for nearly 70% of Brea businesses. In fact, the
increase is less than $100 per year for 91%of all businesses. This measure
will also fix the inequity that currently exists where our largest retail
businesses pay a maximum of $500 per year, grossly out of proportion to
what small businesses pay. And, as requested by the Brea Chamber of
Commerce, these modest increases would be phased in over a three-year
period.
The proposed increase is essential for balancing the city's budget. Other
steps already taken include reducing expenditures by $3.5 million,
restructuring city departments, eliminating 43 positions, a hiring freeze, and
a one-year wage freeze. Unfortunately, these cuts will mean a reduction in
services to residents.
Our balanced Fiscal Year 04-06 budget, which preserves public safety
spending levels, is predicated on these increases being approved. We will
only maintain a balanced budget if the voters support the increases, which
we believe are fair and equitable. As previously stated, the cost of services
has risen, and we are asking local businesses to pay a fair and equitable
| No argument against this measure was submitted.
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